Retail Sales Strong In September

The markets are mostly mixed in the first hour of trading. Oil is getting a bounce on speculation that OPEC will meet and implement a production cut. This is helping the energy stocks bounce.

The retail sales reports were mostly better than expected, and many of the stocks are having positive reactions. I will provide a quick roundup in my next post.

Bond yields are rising, with the 10-year at 4.61%. Financials are mostly lower, but some of this could be profit taking, as they have had a nice run lately.

In other news and notes:

• I am addicted to the new show, Smith
• International markets are rallying, espeically India
• MAR beats earnings, raises FY06 guidance
• AEOS ups guidance
• GOOG gaining more share in search (comScore)
• ECB raises rates to 3.25% (from 3.00%)
• AAPL options investigation winds down with no big surprises

long AAPL, GOOG