A greater than expected number of jobs were added to the economy last month to boost the markets to a sharply higher close with the Dow jumping 217 points to 13,096. Nasdaq surged 58 points to 2967. On the upside
MasTec (NYSE: MTZ) reported lower second quarter earnings but the results topped analyst estimates and the company lifted its full year guidance. Second quarter earnings climbed for MercadoLibre (Nasdaq: MELI) to surpass analyst expectations by a wide margin. Sequenom's (Nasdaq: SQNM) chief executive officer, chief financial officer and an executive vice president all purchased shares in the company on Wednesday, August 1. On the downside Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN) fell to a greater than expected second quarter loss as revenue dropped.Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) reported higher fourth quarter earnings but revenue missed expectations. Second quarter earnings tumbled for WellCare (NYSE: WCG) and the managed care provider forecast full year revenue below estimates. In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 2 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks soared 19 points to 788.
