Overseas, the Asian markets closed broadly higher, tracking previous gains in the U.S. and Europe. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.9% to a one-month high and China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.2% to rise for the fourth straight day.
In other corporate news, Walt Disney (DIS) rose 1.35% when they reproted fiscal earnings that exceeded expectations but revenue that fell short of expectations. Priceline.com (PCLN) dropped signifcantly, -17.28%, after they beat Q2 EPS estimates, but substantially lowered their third quarter outlook among uncertain economic activity. Finally, Bloomin’ Brands, owners of Outback Steakhouse and Fleming’s steakhouse, surged on their IPO after lowering its offering price and the number of available shares.