MIDDAY LUNCH

Dow +28.27 at 11162.56, Nasdaq -0.87 at 2518.20,S&P +3.04 at 1211.71

Dow 11131.80  -2.49, Nasdaq 2511.89  -7.18, S&P 1207.26  -1.41 

Oil equipment, distribution and services are have a good day up +0.9%.  The gains are led by Schlumberger (SLB) 72.93 +4.75, +6.98% after the company reported earnings of +0.62 beating estimates by +0.01.  This has helped pull Halliburton (HAL) 34.82 +1.09, +3.23% and National Oilwell (NOV) 46.09 +1.49, +3.34% higher.

The Energy sector is also being helped by oil rising +1% to $84.50 per barrel.

New home sales for March jumped +26.9% to an annualized rate of 411,000 units, this is the highest rate since July 2009. Economist had estimated an increase of only +5.5% to an annualized rate of 325,000 units.  

This has helped the homebuilder gain +7.9% today.  Homebuilders are now up +14.5% since the close on Wednesday.

Gold is up +12.40 to 1155.30 an ounce while the dollar is trading lower.