Accentureclimbed nearly 6% Friday after reporting quarterly results that topped Wall Street forecasts, but Research In Motionslumped on an adverse court ruling.
Accenture’s profit leapt more than 25% to 38 cents a share, beating analysts’ estimates by two cents. Revenues of $3.92 billion also bested forecasts, and the company predicted 13-17% earnings growth for fiscal 2006.
RIM, meanwhile, slumped 3.6% after a court upheld patent infringement claims against the company by NTP.
The broader market ended a four-day losing streak to finish slightly higher on news that the economy only lost 35,000 jobs in September — but the full effect of hurricanes Katrina and Rita won’t be recorded until the October jobs report is released in early November.
The Nasdaq rose 6 to 2090, the S&P 500 added 4 to 1195, and the Dow climbed 5 to 10,292. Volume fell to 2.11 billion shares on the NYSE, and 1.48 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers led 19-12 on the NYSE, and 17-12 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 63% on the NYSE, and 53% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 38-102 on the NYSE, and 48-85 on the Nasdaq.
Aptimusand UTStarcomplunged on warnings, and UTStarcom also disclosed an SEC inquiry into its financial disclosures.
Cable & Wirelesslost 15% on falling sales.
CalAmpclimbed 8% on its results.