MIDDAY LUNCH

Dow 10450.11  +15.94, Nasdaq 2311.91  +4.75, S&P 1117.41  +1.37 

Stocks are trading higher after a choppy opening but continue to trade higher with the help of the energy sector.

Energy stocks are still trading near their day highs up +0.7%.  The gains are coming from a rise in oil prices which are up +0.5% to $77.20 per barrel.

BP (BP) 31.77, +0.06 was downgraded today by Moody’s rating agency, but the stock has had little reaction since yesterday Standard & Poor’s downgraded the company.  It was highly anticipated that S&P would follow suit.

Other energy companies trading higher include: ExxonMobil (XOM) 63.18, +0.58%, +0.93%, ConocoPhillips (COP)55.81, +0.63, +1.12%,  Transocean (RIG) 53.46, +4.03, +8.15%, and Halliburton (HAL) 26.87, +0.47, 1.78%.

Gold is continuing to climb higher up +10.50 to 1259.20 per ounce.