THURSDAY, AUGUST 09, 2012
SECTOR COMMENTARY
Energy stocks closed mostly higher, while the broader markets were mixed in a choppy session as investors digested a better-than-expected jobless claims report against waning optimism over the ECB's willingness to tackle the region's debt crisis.
Oilfield service providers and drillers were the leaders, spurred by optimism after National-Oilwell Varco, the largest U.S. oilfield equipment maker, said it will buy Robbins & Myers Inc, an equipment manufacturer for the energy, industrial, pharma and chemical industries for $2.54 billion in cash, reflecting a 28% premium ...