Dj Stocks: Pimco Scores Windfall On Gas-Exporter Venture Global

Consumer stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) rising 0.4% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) climbing 0.6%.

In corporate news, Uber and Lyft are under investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission for allegedly illegally coordinating efforts to limit driver pay in New York City, Bloomberg reported. Uber shares fell 0.6%, while Lyft was flat.

Comcast reported a sharper Q4 loss in domestic broadband subscribers than it previously expected, and said there's likely no competitive relief in sight. The shares dropped 11%.

Southwest Airlines forecast year-over-year growth in a key revenue metric for the ongoing quarter as its Q4 earnings rose more than expected amid strong travel demand. Its shares were still down 1.3%.

United Parcel Service issued a downbeat full-year revenue outlook after posting Q4 topline below market estimates. UPS CFO Brian Dykes said in an earnings call that the company has reached an agreement in principle with Amazon.com (AMZN) "to significantly reduce" the amount it delivers for them. UPS shares fell 14%.

Energy stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index adding 1.1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index increased 0.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index climbed 2.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.4% to $72.89 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.5% to $76.93 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 3.8% to $3.05 per 1 million BTU.

In sector news, US natural gas stocks fell by 321 billion cubic feet in the week ended Jan. 24, a larger drop than the 314 billion decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a decrease of 223 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

In corporate news, Liberty Energy shares fell 6.7%. The company reported Q4 adjusted earnings late Wednesday of $0.10 per diluted share, down from $0.54 a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $0.11.

Shell and Thebe Investment are close to resolving a valuation dispute, clearing the way for the sale of Shell's downstream assets in South Africa for up to $1 billion, Bloomberg reported. Separately, Shell said it has launched a $3.5 billion stock buyback plan for a total contract term of about three months to reduce its issued share capital. The firm also reported lower Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue. Its shares were rising 3.2%.

Baker Hughes said Thursday that it has been awarded a contract to provide a liquefied natural gas system and power island to support Venture Global's V LNG projects in the US. Baker shares rose 3.2% and Venture Global added 2%.

Valero Energy reported lower Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue that still topped analyst expectations. The shares were down 2.2%.

Consumer stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) rising 1% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) climbing 1.5%.

In corporate news, Uber and Lyft are under investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission for allegedly illegally coordinating efforts to limit driver pay in New York City, Bloomberg reported. Uber shares decreased 0.2% and Lyft was rising 1.1%.

Energy stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index adding 1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index increased 0.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index climbed 2.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.3% to $72.81 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.5% to $76.94 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 2.2% to $3.10 per 1 million BTU.

US natural gas stocks fell by 321 billion cubic feet in the week ended Jan. 24, a larger drop than the 314 billion decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a decrease of 223 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

In corporate news, Shell and Thebe Investment are close to resolving a valuation dispute, clearing the way for the sale of Shell's downstream assets in South Africa for up to $1 billion, Bloomberg reported. Separately, Shell said it has launched a $3.5 billion stock buyback plan for a total contract term of about three months to reduce its issued share capital. The firm also reported lower Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue. Its shares were rising 3.1%.

Baker Hughes said Thursday that it has been awarded a contract to provide a liquefied natural gas system and power island to support Venture Global's V LNG projects in the US. Baker shares rose 2.2% and Venture Global jumped 7%.

Valero Energy reported lower Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue that still topped analyst expectations. The shares were down 2.1%.