[R]3:00PM New York – Oracle, CarMax, Research in Motion and Cintas are in trading focus.[/R]

Of the S&P 500 index stocks, 323 increased, 172 declined and 5 closed unchanged.

Darden Restaurant led gainers in the index with a rise of 14.4% followed by increases in Prologis of 14.2%, in Apartment Investments of 11.8%, in Southwestern Energy of 11.5% and Micron Technology of 10%.

Cintas Corp led decliners in the S&P 500 index with a loss of 12.3% followed by declines in Tenet Healthcare of 7.9%, in Weyerhaeuser Company of 7.7%, in Nordstrom Inc of 7.3% and in Fluor Corp of 7%.

Other Movers

3Com Corporation (COMS: chart) added 5.7% or 13 cents to $2.38 after the computer networking gear maker said second quarter sales rose 11.6% to $354.6 million from $317.8 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter was $12.9 million or 3 cents per diluted share compared to net loss of $35.6 million or 9 cents per share a year ago.

ArthroCare Corporation (ARTC: chart) lost 62.4% or $10.08 to $6.15 after the maker of surgical tools reported expansion of periods covered by restatement of financial statements and withdrawal of previously disclosed anticipated adjustments; management changes; and SEC subpoenas for documents.

CarMax, Inc (KMX: chart) lost 8.5% or 70 cents to $7.50 after the nation’s largest retailer of used cars reported third quarter sales fell 23% to $1.46 billion from $1.89 billion a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $21.9 million or 10 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $29.8 million or 14 cents per share a year ago.

Children’s Place Retail Stores (PLCE: chart) dropped 8.7% or $1.96 to $20.70 on no news. The stocks in retail sector traded mixed in the day.

Cintas Corporation (CTAS: chart) decreased 12.3% or $3.13 to $22.41 after the uniforms and other services provider agreed to pay nearly $3 million to settle OSHA case.

Citigroup Inc (C: chart) lost 5.7% or 33 cent to $7.10 after Moody''s lowered the senior debt rating on Citigroup to """"A2"""" from """"Aa3."""" Long-term bank deposit ratings on its main bank subsidiary Citibank were reduced to """"Aa3"""" from """"Aa1.""""

Darden Restaurants, Inc (DRI: chart) surged after the Olive Garden and Red Lobster chains reported second quarter sales rose 9.8% to $1.67 billion from $1.52 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter rose 37% to $59.7 million or 43 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $43.5 million or 30 cents per share a year ago.

Electroglas Inc (EGLS: chart) fell 10.0% or 2 cents to 18 cents after the supplier of wafer probing and software solutions for the semiconductor industry said second quarter revenues fell 44% to $6.4 million from $11.4 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $4.7 million or 18 cents per diluted share compared to net loss of $3.3 million or 13 cents per share a year ago.

Fluor Corporation (FLR: chart) fell 4.9% or $2.37 to $45.68 after analysts downgraded the engineering and construction company and downplayed benefits from public works spending planned by President-elect Obama. Analyst Brian Chin of Citi Investment Research downgraded Fluor to """"Sell"""" from """"Hold.""""

Genworth Financial, Inc (GNW: chart) dropped 12.5% or 42 cents to $2.92 after J P Morgan Securities cut its rating on insurers Genworth Financial Inc and Prudential Financial Inc to """"neutral"""" from """"overweight"""" and said it was maintaining a cautious stance on the U.S. life insurance sector.

General Motors Corporation (GM: chart) rose 15.8% or 58 cents to $4.24 after the worldwide development, production and marketing of cars, trucks and parts most of the $17.4 billion in emergency loans being doled out by the Bush administration to the U.S. auto sector will go to General Motors Corp.

Jabil Circuit, Inc (JBL: chart) fell 3.0% or 12 cents to $6.46 after the provider of worldwide electronic manufacturing services and solutions reported first quarter sales were flat $3.4 billion from $3.4 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 26% to $46.2 million or 22 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $62.0 million or 30 cents per share a year ago.

Oracle Corporation (ORCL: chart) surged 3.0% or 49 cents to $17.10 after the enterprise software company said second quarter sales rose 6% to $5.61 billion from $5.31 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 0.8% to $1.29 billion or 25 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $1.3 billion or 25 cents per share a year ago.

Palm, Inc (PALM: chart) slid 4.0% or 9 cents to $2.11 after the mobile phone and device maker said second quarter revenues fell 45% to $191.6 million from $349.6 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $506.2 million or $4.64 per diluted share compared to net loss of $8.8 million or 9 cents per share a year ago.

Quiksilver, Inc (ZQK: chart) climbed 9.4% or 16 cents to $1.85 after the outdoor apparel and equipment maker said fourth quarter revenues rose 3% to $606.9 million from $587.3 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $955,000 or 1 cent per diluted share compared to net loss of $110.9 million or 89 cents per share a year ago.