So far, earnings season hasn't been too kind to the Dow Jones Industrial Average
Investor anxiety ticked slightly upward, with the VIX
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Apparently the investors weren't picking up what tech stalwarts IBM
Intel reported flat revenue and a decline in profits. Shares of the semiconductor giant fell 1.8% in reaction to the report. Despite its quarterly report, Intel has appeared to be gaining strength of late. The company ended 2011 with its largest share of the global semiconductor market (its 20th consecutive year holding that title) ever. Intel also has its best attempt to break into the mobile market since 2009 coming to market soon. Despite the short-term noise, Intel might have a few tricks left up its sleeve. Like Intel, IBM closed 3.5% down. Revenue fell short of analyst expectations for the quarter as a result of slumping hardware sales. However, Big Blue did beat the Street on profits.
Elsewhere in U.S. markets, oil stock Haliburton