U.S. Stocks Rally, Sending S&P 500 and Dow Average to Records; Alcoa Gains

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks rallied, sending the
Standard & Poor's 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average to
records, after retailers reported better-than-expected sales and
investors speculated Alcoa Inc. may be bought.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, posted
its biggest gain in a month after same-store sales tripled
analysts' predictions. Aluminum producer Alcoa led the Dow's
advance as Rio Tinto Group's plan to buy Alcan Inc. spurred
expectations of more takeovers in the metals industry.


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Kroger rating outlook now positive, was stable-S&P

(Reuters) - However, it has been able to withstand strong pressure from
rivals such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , dollar stores,
drugstores and natural-food chains such as Whole Foods Market
Inc. by remodeling its stores, improving customer
service, cutting some prices and promoting items such as
fresher produce.




A positive outlook means S&P is likely to raise Kroger's
credit rating in the next two years. Kroger now holds a
"BBB-minus" corporate credit rating, which is the lowest
investment grade.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

U.S. Stocks Drop as Bond Yields Rise; Citigroup, Wal-Mart Shares Decline

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. stock market plunged the
most in three months after a jump in bond yields fueled
speculation the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

Financial firms led by Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group
Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. led a third day of declines. All 16
homebuilders in Standard & Poor's indexes dropped on concern
that demand for mortgages will diminish. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.,
Macy's Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. retreated after May sales
trailed estimates.


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U.S. Stocks Drop as Bond Yields Rise Above 5 Percent; J.C. Penney Declines

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks fell for a third day
after the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose above 5
percent for the first time since August.

Citigroup Inc., the biggest U.S. bank, and Goldman Sachs
Group Inc., the largest securities firm, led financial companies
lower. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Macy's Inc. and J.C. Penney
retreated after reporting May sales that trailed estimates.


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Dow, S&P close at records as energy shares rise

(Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday, with the Dow and the S&P 500 eking out closing records, as higher energy shares and a fresh round of takeovers offset concerns about a sharp sell-off in Chinese stocks.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. rose 3.5 percent, boosting the Dow and the S&P, after several brokerages raised their ratings on the retailer's shares.


Read more at Reuters Africa

U.S. Stocks Rise, Led by Energy Producers; Wal-Mart Stores Shares Advance

(Bloomberg) -- America's equity benchmarks climbed
to records again on analyst upgrades of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and
a rise in oil prices that buoyed energy shares.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, led the S&P 500 to
its fourth consecutive peak and the Dow Jones Industrial Average
to its 27th this year after four brokerages recommended the
company because of its planned $15 billion share-buyback plan.
Oil and gas companies climbed to a high after the price of crude
surged above $66 a barrel on concern supplies from Nigeria may
be disrupted.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News