In reaction to strong earnings/guidance:

AKNS +5.7%, HOC +5.3%, MSO +4.4%, MHS +3.3%, GIS +2.9%, FOSL +2.8%, SHOO +1.6%, RTI +1.4%, KALU +1.3%, WMT +1.1%... Select European financials trading higher: LYG +9.1%, ING +8.9%, BCS +8.4% (ups write-down to $3.1 bln but reported profits broadly in line with analysts' expectations), HBC +3.5%... Select Chinese names trading higher following Bank of China surging 7.8% (and Heng Seng closing +1.5%) after its chairman said it had set aside enough provisions to cover its exposure to subprime credit: CEO +4.1%, ACH +4.1%, LFC +3.0%, SEED +2.2%, PTR +1.9%, JRJC +1.8%, BIDU +1.5%, CHL +1.3%... Other news: BHP +4.3% and RTP + 4.2% (still checking), QDEL +3.7% (Cramer makes positive comments on MadMoney), ARRS +3.5% (announces a $100 mln stock repurchase program), TOT +3.4% (still checking), FSLR +3.0% (up in sympahty with AKNS), SNY +2.0% (Sanofi-Aventis and UCB announce the FDA approves oral solution for the relief of seasonal and year round allergies and chronic Idiopathic Urticaria)... Analyst upgrades: ENCY +29.4% (upgraded to Buy at Collins Stewart), RIO +5.8% (upgraded to Overweight at Morgan Stanley), GFI +4.8% (upgraded to Overweight at HSBC), HANS +4.7% (upgraded to Overweight at JPMorgan), MU +4.6% (upgraded to Overweight at Thomas Weisel), GSX +4.5% (upgraded to Overweight at JPMorgan), LDK +4.5% (upgraded to Neutral at tier 1 firm), NICE +3.5% (upgraded to Buy at UBS), FBTX +3.3% (upgraded to Mkt Perform at Keefe Bruyette), B +2.9% (upgraded to Buy from Hold at BB&T), X +2.9% (upgraded to Buy at UBS), IAG +2.2% (upgraded to Neutral at HSBC), DROOY +1.7% (upgraded to Neutral at HSBC), UNH +1.3% (upgraded to Outperform at BMO Capital), WYE +1.0% (upgraded to Overweight at Morgan Stanley).