Dow Edges Higher With Help of Downgraded Financials

After yesterday's beat down, the broad markets are making up lost ground, led by the 0.43% jump in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEX: ^DJI). The European Central Bank loosened its eligibility requirements by accepting a wider range of collateral. This move will help relieve the congestion in the flow of capital in Europe, especially in the heavily burdened south. After trading down for most of the day, this news moved the Euro Stoxx 50 Index higher.

Source: Yahoo! Finance.

Yesterday, Moody's Investors Service took on the banking sector, downgrading 15 banking institutions, including Dow components Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). Despite the downgrades, both banks are moving higher, with Bank of America up 0.38% and JPMorgan skyrocketing by 2%. The increase seems counterintuitive, but investors appear to see value in these financials; the downgrades have been expected for some time and they were not as severe as originally feared.

In the energy sector, First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) continued its recent surge, up 9.3% already today. The company reached an agreement with Los Angeles County to resume its plans of constructing a 230-megawatt power plant. The energy sector also contains today's biggest mover in Harvest Natural Resources (NYSE: HNR), up 76% on the day after reports that the oil and gas producer is being acquired by Pertamina, Indonesia's state oil monopoly. This move is monumental not only because the $725 million deal is substantially higher than the $325 million market capitalization, but because it is an oil and gas firm leaving the socialist Venezuela.

Keep a long-term focus
It seems the broad markets are again adjusting  after a heavy sell-off day. Thanks to news pouring in by the hour with promises of easing capital liquidity, the markets are in for increased volatility. Now's a great time to check out the Motley Fool's special report: "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." This free report will list three remarkable companies as well as offer great advice on how to invest to secure a comfortable retirement. Get your free report now