The stock market initially rose sharply in light of generally favorable earnings from Caterpillar and 3M but gave up those gains in afternoon trading. News of weaker-than-forecast new home sales that fell for the first time in four months dampened hopes that the housing market may have hit bottom. Just after 2 p.m. EST, the Dow Jones Industrials
Beyond the earnings scene, Home Depot
Wal-Mart
On the upside, Johnson & Johnson
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