Equity Roundup: Materials, Financials & Comm Services Outperform

Stock indexes mildly firmer ahead midday, near middle of session range, Materials, Financials and Communication Services sectors outperforming. Currently, SPX eminis trade +23.25 (0.56%) at 4166.25; DJIA +44.77 (0.14%) at 33013.79; Nasdaq +100.7 (0.8%) at 12531.93.

• Notable earnings annc's after today's close: Dell $1.636 est, Gap Stores (GPS) -$0.68, Marvell Technology (MRVL) $0.564 est.
• Technicals for SPX Sep futures: The S&P E-Minis contract remains vulnerable following recent weakness. The move lower is allowing an overbought reading in momentum studies to unwind. The 20-day EMA has been breached and attention is on the 50-day EMA, at 4085.13 - a key pivot support. Key resistance and the bull trigger is at 4327.50, the Aug 16 high. Initial resistance to watch is at 4221.50, Monday’s high. A break would ease the current bearish threat.
• SPX leading/lagging sectors: Materials outperforming (+1.10%) lead by Freeport McMoRan (FCX) +3.16%, PPG Ind +2.0%; followed by Financials (+1.08% and Communication Services (+0.99%) media and entertainment leading the latter, Dish Network (DISH) +4.11%. Laggers: Utilities (-0.18%) and Consumer Staples (-0.06%).
• Dow Industrials Leaders/Laggers: Caterpillar (CAT) +3.37 at 197.53, Boeing (BA) +3.24 at 166.84, Goldman Sachs (GS) +2.01 at 343.95. Laggers: Salesforce.Com (CRM) -12.57 to 167.44 -- hammered after beating earnings est while trimming full-year guidance. United Health (UNH) -2.48 at 533.98, Home Depot (HD) -1.58 at 306.53.