Bullish Blog

Reuters - Nasdaq OMX and IntercontinentalExchange are poised to go hostile in their bid for NYSE Euronext after shareholders ratcheted up pressure on the Big Board parent to get a better deal.

AP - The recent rise in oil prices has boosted profits at many energy companies, lifting the returns of mutual funds that specialize in energy stocks. Those funds have returned an average 26 percent over the past 12-month period, according to Morningstar.

Reuters - Former SAC Capital Advisors LP analyst Jonathan Hollander reached a settlement with U.S. securities regulators over allegations he engaged in insider trading in his personal account, while working at Steven A. Cohen’s $12 billion hedge fund.

AP - SLOWING ECONOMY: The economy grew at a 1.8 annual rate between January and March. That’s the weakest pace since last spring. Higher oil prices cut into consumer spending and bad weather slowed down construction projects.

AP - Stocks closed at another 2011 high Thursday despite modest U.S. economic growth in the first quarter. The economy grew at a 1.8 annual rate between January and March. That’s the weakest pace since last spring. Higher oil prices cut into consumer spending and bad weather slowed down construction projects.

Reuters - Billionaire hedge fund manager Philip Falcone recently gave investors more information about three U.S. government investigations into his Harbinger Capital Partners fund firm.

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Thursday:

AP - Top executives of NYSE Euronext Inc., parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, deflected angry questions about its rejection of a rival takeover bid at the company’s annual shareholder meeting Thursday.

AFP - Russia’s top Internet portal Yandex announced plans Thursday to hold an initial public offering on New York’s NASDAQ stock exchange.

AFP - London shares closed marginally higher on Thursday, extending last week’s gains.