The week seems to have gotten off to a great start for a few companies in the tech space. Apple (AAPL) is now considered to be the most “Valuable Brand” in the world after it surpassed the likes of Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT) and others on its way to the peak. This is according to the Millard Brown Branz Rankings, a report that was released earlier this week, showcasing some of the world’s most prominent, liked and of course, valuable companies.

Now we come to know that Microsoft (MSFT) has agreed to buy the world’s most popular Internet Communications company, Skype Global, for a staggering $8.5 Billion. Despite having been tossed around by other major technology companies, Microsoft seems to want to incorporate the technology into its aresenal as well in order to compete with Apple and Google. It would be interesting to see how the new acquisition plays out with the release of the new mobile platform from Microsoft later this year.

So, UpDown traders, are you bearish or bullish on the recent news? Apple is still trading just below $350 and as of 11:33 AM today, Microsoft is in the negative as well. Are these opportunities for traders to jump in for the long run? Let us know what you think! @theUpDown and facebook too!

-The UpDown Team

Around 8:30 AM EST this morning came the good news from the Labor Department that the US added more jobs than expected. The news gave positive sentiment on the street into the trading day with the Nasdaq up 1.38%, the S&P up 1.18% and the Dow Jones up 1.17% as of noon.

As traders, one must definitely keep in mind the fact that the job report isn’t up to the minute and rather from a few days to a week or so before any recent events that might have caused fluctuations in the markets. Nevertheless, the unemployment rate did inch up to 9% but most economists agree that, with the recent positive sentiment, individuals who couldn’t find a job and were out of the labor force have returned. That means companies, who are hiring or will be hiring in the near future, have seen a strong increase in consumer demand for products and services. That demand means a more active economy and eventually a stronger quarter for the companies taking advantage of the growth.

So what does this news mean for your portfolio on the UpDown.com? What are your plans moving into the day and next week? Let us know on twitter and facebook! Happy trading!

-The UpDown Team

Ever doubted that globalization could have any effect on domestic trading in the US? Well, today definitely proves how fears of slower growth overseas, a rise in the dollar against the Euro, fall in oil prices and dive in commodities can have an effect in your portfolio and trading plans. So what does this all really mean for our traders on Updown.com? more risks? more opportunities to get into the market while stocks are cheap after a few sharp declines today?

With such commodities as silver falling over 20% in value today since its high point last Friday, copper falling more than 7% and oil finally settling below the $100 a barrel mark, what is Friday going to be like for you? Word on the street has it that the job report, which will be released at 8:30 AM EST by the Labor Department, will have fewer jobs added as compared to March. Why? Most speculators place the blame on higher oil prices which theoretically mean lower consumer expenditures and less need for labor. Could that really have an impact on jobs though or is it the uncertainty from overseas instability in oil rich countries? Perhaps it’s both!

So what should you, as an UpDown trader, be looking forward to and asking yourself as the job report is released tomorrow morning? Well here are a few questions that David Leonhardt feels you should ask NOW! Click here for link to the article by David.

1. Has the recent economic slowdown led to a slowdown in job growth?
2. Has the crisis in Japan affected employment in this country?
3. Are the cutbacks by local and state governments becoming more severe – or perhaps less so?
4. What does the length of the work week say about business executive’s state of mind?
5. Do the statistical details in the report offer reason for optimism?

Why not take it one step further and compare the data to the Consumer Confidence levels. Do they match or is one telling a different story than the other. Do the two offer any reason to move into the market or leave? Hope the day goes well for our traders on UpDown.com. Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! GO PRO!

REMEMBER to follow us on twitter and “like” us on facebook too! Thanks!

- The UpDown.com Team

Holding the first press conference in the Federal Reserve‘s long history, Ben Bernanke ushered a new sense of optimism and positive outlook for the economy and Q2 of 2011. Despite an increase in inflation and slightly high unemployment, the Fed believes that the economy is finally back on its path to recovery and sustaining itself without any additional efforts by the government. It does however believe that growth is on the decline but will be able to improve in 2011. To that end, the Federal Reserve Bank will continue its program of purchasing $600 billion in bonds through June after which it will end the program. Interest rates will be kept low despite the rise in inflation according to Bernanke.

Other positive news, among many, included average earnings report in Q1 profits for Starbucks, as expected, and improved outlooks for Q2 profits than most analysts anticipated. The coffee giant expects to boost its already amazing increase in customer visits to its stores in 2011 and raises its forecast for 2011 profits overall. Starbucks shares fell 69 cents in after-hours trading on April 27, 2011.

Boeing Co. earnings report beat analyst expectations this morning giving positive insight into the company. The company expects to deliver on its much delayed production of its 787 airplanes by Q3.

The Dow Jones Industrials rose 96 points to close at 12,690.96, the S&P rose 9 points to 1,355.66 and the NASDAQ rose 23 to 2,869.88.

What are your thoughts on the Fed, economy and the future of the United States as a center of economic activity? Let us know! Tweet to us or comment on the official UpDown.com facebook page! Good luck UpDown traders!

-The UpDown Team

Fewer Americans applying for jobless benefits. Better than expected earnings. Rising stocks. Do we need anything else to prove that the recession has come to a close? or has it?

Despite better than expected earnings reports for the first quarter, Blue chips still have to prove that they can perform well in emerging markets. This will only be seen with the earnings reports for the second quarter which our traders are eagerly looking forward to seeing.

While rising stocks seem to be mainly within the technology, energy, materials and industrial sectors, can this rally continue into next week? If so, which stocks are most interesting to you for Q2, Q3 and even Q4 of 2011?

According to Timothy Geithner in an interview with CNBC, the economy is in a better position for growth now with efforts being made to cut back the US deficits. “The president recognizes and the leadership and the Congress recognizes that we have to bring these deficits down.” The government is positive about the recovery efforts, are you?

While the rally in the stock market is great for our traders on UpDown.com, so is the news that unemployment has decreased in over two-thirds of the states. In fact,  applications for jobless benefits decreased which, when added to the fact that the consumer feels more confident than ever (according to the Consumer Index), we seem to be heading for a great week ahead for the markets.

So, as a consumer, what did you buy this holiday weekend? As a trader on the UpDown.com network, what are you looking forward to next week? Let us know via a tweet on twitter, or a comment on facebook or simply emailing us at: contact [at] updown [dot] com. Good luck!

-The UpDown Team

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Sign up today at UpDown.com and play the game on facebook too! Stay in touch by liking us on facebook and following us on twitter!

-The UpDown Team

General Electric‘s latest earnings report of an increase in first quarter earnings of 77% has given some positive insight into the economy’s recovery.

The company joins the ranks of other companies with their “better than expected” earnings. Revenue increase for the company were due to mainly better business within the locomotive, healthcare and energy sectors.

Acquisitions for GE are said to be limited for 2011 having acquired several companies within the energy space already. Deals worth over $11 Billion over the past 6 months will definitely help the company innovate and grow as a company well into 2011 and 2012.

Other companies with positive earnings reports included United Technologies, Honeywell International and Eaton.

UpDown traders, how are your portfolios doing today? Share with us your thoughts on facebook and twitter as well! Good luck!

-The UpDown Team

Technology companies report strong earnings including Intel Corp causing the Nasdaq to sky rocket to record levels in over 6 months.

Chip-maker, Intel reported its income to have risen by as much as 29 percent in the first quarter of this year. Reasons for the increase are said to be due to demand for personal computers and mobile devices. With the rapid deployment of even more mobile devices and improvements in the existing products, Intel is expected to experience even more growth over the next few months.

Other companies to have experienced strong growth include United Technologies Corp, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., Wynn Resorts, IBM and Yahoo! Inc. Laggards included Wells Fargo and AT&T to name a few.

Happy Trading!

-The UpDown Team

The sentiment on the street is generally positive with the recent earnings reports coming from major industry giants. How is your UpDown portfolio doing with these reports? Going “up”? Going “down”?

The Dow Jones Industrial rose to 12226.19 during trading at mid day. The S&P 500 also rose to 1306.75 while the Nasdaq Composite was shy by one point at 2734.

Reports started to come in early this week starting with Goldman Sachs, which topped forecasts, but caused a mixed response from the stock market. Earnings reports from Johnson & Johnson as well as glimmers of an improved housing sector have all had a healthy effect on the rally. Published reports have indicated an acquisition by J&J of medical-device maker Synthes to be valued at around $20 Billion. This would make the deal the largest ever for the New Brunswick, NJ based health-care company.

Do you have some thoughts or news you want to share with the UpDown community? Write it in the comments section below or simply send us an email: contact [at] updown [dot] com

-The UpDown Team

We’re currently having problems with dividend data that is inaccurate and in some cases leads to substantial increases in portfolio values by accident. We’re working on the issue and will only determine contest winners once the data issues have been solved.

If you have any questions, concerns or would just like to send us your comments, please do so at: contact [at] updown [dot] com.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but always remember, the market always come back “up”.

-The UpDown.com Team