Stocks Jump On Stimulus Optimism (AGU, NILE, BMR, SIGN, SSI) ​

U.S. stocks jumped Tuesday on rumors that central bankers could take further steps to stimulate the global economy and as Wall Street continued to closely observe development in Europe ahead of election in Greece.
The major stock indexes had erased much of an early advance as Spain’s 10-year bond yield hit a record high after Fitch Ratings downgraded some of the country’s banks. But both Spanish and Italian bond prices bounced off their lows heading toward the European markets’ close. In an interview aired Tuesday on Bloomberg Television, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said the central bank would back moves to spur more rapid jobs growth.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 87.49 (0.70%) to 12,498.72, and the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index gained 6.91 (0.53%) at 1,315.84. The Nasdaq Composite surged 16.67 (0.59%) at 2,826.40.
Agrium Inc (USA) (NYSE:AGU) soared 2.10% to $80.35 on a traded volume of 372k shares. The 52-week range for the stock is $60.15 and $93.49. The Company expects second-quarter earnings to be at or near the top of its forecast range. This is due to higher prices for some of its wholesale fertilizer products.
The Company expects earnings per share from continuing operations to be in the range $4.18 to $4.78. However, analysts had been forecasting average earnings of $4.57 per share.
Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) increased 1.46% to $32.68. The 52-week range for the stock is $25.59 and $50.0. The Company announced that Julie Yoakum would join the company as Chief Merchandising Officer effective June 25, 2012.
Biomed Realty Trust Inc (NYSE:BMR) went up 0.84% to $17.99. The Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Granta Park. Granta Park comprises eleven laboratory and office buildings and a total of about 472,200 square feet of space. The purchase price for the property is £126.8 million pounds or about $196.0 million.
Signet International Holdings Inc (OTC: SIGN) is currently trading at $0.05. So far this year, the stock is down over 90%. The 52-week range for the stock is $0.05 and $0.50.
Stage Stores Inc (NYSE:SSI) went up 1.18% to $17.10. The Board of Directors has approved an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend rate to 10 cents per share. The Board will declare the new quarterly rate of 10 cents per share after June 20, 2012.