World Stock Markets Daily Report (February 16, 2011)

U.S. stocks retreated, pulling the S&P 500 Index down from a 32-month high, after a report showed retail sales increased less than forecast, the NAHB index still very close to “crisis” levels and Exxon Mobil led a decline in energy producers. Exxon Mobil XOM, the world's largest company, shed 2.3% for its biggest drop since August as investors analyzed data on its proved reserves. And Monsanto sank 4.8% as billionaire investor George Soros's hedge fund cut its stake in the world's largest seed company. Elsewhere JDS Uniphase , the biggest U.S. network-analysis company, fell 10%after Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. reduced its rating. But bucking the trend Dell proved that the PC is NOT dead as it released numbers (after hours) that were well ahead of expectation (EPS of 53c versus 37c expected ). It traded up 5% after the close. Continue reading the article.