MARKET TALK: Symantec Has Risk To Mid-$30s, Lehman Says Edited by Thomas Granahan Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES (Call Us: 201 938-5299; All Times Eastern) MARKET TALK can be found using code N/DJMT 8:36 (Dow Jones) Given magnitude of Symantec (SYMC) shortfall, Lehman expects shares to trade to mid-$30s. Uncertainty over the 2H precludes firm from recommending the stock at these levels. Collateral damage can be expected in other names in the sector, though Lehman continues to recommend Internet Security (ISSX), Network Associates (NETA), and VeriSign (VRSN). (TG) 8:30 (Dow Jones) A profit warning from Merck (MRK) will put some pressure on stocks in the early going, at a time when the recent advances on major indexes is seen as somewhat suspect to begin with. Symantec (SYMC) is getting buried after lowering 1Q views sharply, while Micron Tech (MU) posted a wider-than-expected loss of 53c/share. Wall Street shrugged aside some somber earnings news Thursday, and very well could do the same as today's session progresses, but the current environment probably isn't conducive to much more than a trading bounce. Market players will also continue to make bets on next Wednesday's FOMC announcement, with a quarter-point cut the most popular wager. A fairly rare data-free Friday, but, in front of next week's FOMC gathering, there will be plenty to digest, including durable goods and new home sales. Stock futures soft, Tsys essentially unchanged. (TG) (END) DOW JONES NEWS 06-22-01 08:37 AM |