There are no Dow stocks at 52 week highs. There are no Dow stock 52 week lows.

The Market

Thursday the Dow closed up +66.19 (+0.44%) at 14,963.74.

Year-to-date DJIA is up +14.19%.

This morning the Dow was indicated to open down -2 points.

Microsoft (MSFT) is spiking about +8% premarket on news that CEO Steve Ballmer will retire in the next 12 months

Yesterday, the Nasdaq had a “Flash Freeze” whatever that means. I was in a seminar and totally missed it.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) is down in premarket trade this morning as investors doubted the company’s turnaround potential after poor third quarter earnings.

European markets are mixed and Asian markets ended mixed.

The national average price of gasoline is up two-tenths of a cent to $3.536 per gallon.

Earnings Reports

There are no Dow stocks expected to report earnings soon.

Earnings reports from Thursday include:

Aeropostale (ARO) reported second quarter revenue of $454.00 million with a loss of $0.34, compared to an expected loss of $0.16.

Abercrombie & Fitch Corporation (ANF) reported second quarter EPS of $0.16 compared to estimated EPS of $0.31. The company’s revenue fell short of expectations with $945.70 million.

Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) reported second quarter EPS of $0.56 and revenue of $1.85 billion, which fell near the expected EPS of $0.57 and revenue of $1.85 billion.

Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) reported third quarter EPS of $0.45 vs. last year’s $0.41 on better than expected revenue of $2.20 billion.

Sears Holdings Corporation (SHLD) reported a second quarter loss of $1.46 on revenue of $8.87 billion, both of which fell below expectations.

Ross Stores, Inc. (OST) reported second quarter EPS of $0.98 on revenue of $2.55 billion, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.81 on revenue of $2.34 billion.

Other stocks expected to report earnings today include:

ANN INC. (ANN) is expected to report second quarter EPS of $0.76 on revenue of $4.41 billion compared to last year’s EPS of $0.66 on $3.93 billion.

Today’s Featured Dow Stock

Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV).

Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) is up +12.16% year-to-date.

Financial Calendar

1000 ET July new home sales expected -2.0% to 487,000, Jun +8.3% to 497,000.

1500 ET July Cattle on Feed.

n/a Annual 3-day Kansas City Fed Jackson Hole Summit continues (Thu-Sat).