CNBC's Herb Greenberg and the "Street Signs" crew discuss gains in shares of Google post-earnings, and other stocks making big moves. CNBC's Julia Boorstin reports on Netflix ahead of its earnings.
David Einhorn's Greenlight Capital had a 2012 return of 7.9 percent, and a loss of 4.9 percent. CNBC's Herb Greenberg, offers insight.
*Google, IBM climb on strong earnings. NEW YORK, Jan 23- U.S. stocks advanced on Wednesday, with the S&P; 500 inching up for a sixth day in a row, as stronger-than-expected profits at IBM and Google helped alleviate investor concerns about the tech sector.
WellPoint Inc. reported on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profit grew 38 percent, the health insurer's second quarter of improved earnings after a string of quarterly disappointments. The Indianapolis insurer said it expects 2013 earnings of at least $7.60 per share, compared with the $8.18 per share it earned last year.
ST. PAUL, Minn.-- St. Jude Medical posted a 4 percent decline in fourth-quarter profit with higher taxes and a drop in sales for most of its products outweighed tightened spending. The company, based in St. Paul, Minn., said Wednesday that net income was $120 million, or 39 cents per share, down from $125 million, also 39 cents per share, a year earlier.
Starbucks' caffeinated performance is expected to continue when the coffee giant reports earnings Thursday.
CNBC's Kate Kelly reports David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital told investors shorts in iron ore miners hurt the results, not Herbalife.
NEW YORK-- RF Micro Devices' stock climbed nearly 3 percent Wednesday after the chipmaker's third-quarter performance beat analysts' estimates and it provided a fourth-quarter revenue outlook above Wall Street's view. THE SPARK: After the market closed Tuesday, RF Micro Devices Inc. reported a loss of a penny per share on revenue of $271.2 million.
NEW YORK-- Shares of IBM rose Wednesday after the technology company reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter, along with an outlook called "constructive" by a Sterne Agee analyst. For 2013, IBM said it expects earnings of at least $15.53 per share.
NEW YORK-- Netflix shares continued to climb steadily on Wednesday even as an analyst expressed concern over rising competition and other challenges. THE SPARK: Netflix is expected to report its fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday.
ATLANTA-- Marine Products Corp. said Wednesday that boat sales improved in the fourth quarter, but its net income dropped as expenses rose. Marine Products' revenue increased 22 percent to $34.2 million. Marine Products' order backlog is significantly higher than at this time last year, and it recently increased production in order to meet dealer demand.
LISLE, Ill.-- Molex Inc., an electronic components and cables maker, said Wednesday that its fiscal second-quarter profit rose 10 percent on higher shipments. The Lisle, Ill.- based company reported net income of $70.4 million, or 39 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31.
Transporting cars and trucks is not expected to be the "engine it was last year" for CSX, CEO Michael Ward says.
BUFFALO, N.Y.-- First Niagara Financial Group Inc. said Wednesday its fourth-quarter net income fell more than 8 percent, as higher costs more than offset increases in revenue from loans and deposits. The holding company for First Niagara Bank earned $53.5 million, or 15 cents per share, down from $58.5 million, or 19 cents per share, in the 2011 fourth quarter.
NEW YORK-- Shares of software maker CA Technologies rose almost 3 percent Wednesday as its third-quarter results topped Wall Street's expectations. THE SPARK: CA Technologies reported on Tuesday that it earned 55 cents per share on revenue of $1.2 billion in its fiscal third quarter.
Jan 23- US Airways Group Inc said on Wednesday that fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as higher revenue offset cost increases. The carrier, which has been in talks with bankrupt AMR Corp's American Airlines for months about a possible merger, said improved on-time arrivals and baggage handling helped drive traffic and revenue.
CINCINNATI-- Diagnostic test maker Meridian Bioscience Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter net income grew 29 percent on more testing for bacterial infections and respiratory illnesses like the flu. The company said its net income increased to $8.5 million, or 20 cents per share, over the three months that ended Dec. 31.
MINNEAPOLIS-- 3 M has already tempered expectations for 2013. So investors may be happy if the diversified manufacturer just says it will meet its modest sales growth forecasts when it reports fourth-quarter results on Thursday.
Earnings beats from Google and IBM boosted Apple stock on Wednesday, as traders bet the one-time darling could regain some of its luster when it reports earnings after the bell.
Tavis McCourt, Raymond James analyst, provides a preview of the tech giant's earnings ahead of its release after the bell.
