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From Briefing.com: 4:30 pm : Strength in the dollar overshadowed another batch of better-than-expected earnings this morning. While that left stocks to start the session in the red, the broader market was able to recover to the neutral line, where it was mired amid resistance.

The dollar rebounded solidly from its loss in the prior session, such that the Dollar Index settled 0.7% higher today. That move came in the face of a stronger British pound, which was helped by news that the United Kingdom's economic output for the third quarter hit a stronger-than-expected clip of 0.8%. Moreover, Standard & Poor's affirmed the UK's AAA credit rating.

With the dollar a primary catalyst for trade, the broader market was uninspired by the latest round of quarterly reports. The most recent lot included upside earnings surprises from Amgen (AMGN 57.26, -0.69), Biogen Idec (BIIB 59.99, +0.09), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY 26.86, -0.30), Johnson Controls (JCI 34.49, -0.25), and Texas Instruments (TXN 28.88, -0.10). Coach (COH 49.78, +5.30), National-Oilwell Varco (NOV 52.03, +4.06), and Ford Motor (F 14.36, +0.21) each posted better-than-expected earnings, too, but their shares set fresh 52-week highs.

IBM (IBM 140.67, +0.83) already reported its results for the latest quarter, but managed to attract support with its announcement that its board has authorized $10.0 billion for share repurchases.

Though moderate, a broadly positive response followed the midmorning release of the Consumer Confidence Index for October. It improved to 50.2 from 48.5, but had only been expected to improve to 49.0, according to economists polled by Briefing.com.

Despite positive data and generally upbeat corporate reports, the stock market never successfully staged an advance. Sellers kept the S&P 500 out of positive territory by standing ready at the neutral line.

Treasuries also had an unimpressive session. The benchmark 10-year Note fell 21 ticks so that its yield climbed to 2.64%. The 30-year Bond fell more than a full point so that its yield returned to the 4.00% mark.

Similar to the prior session, Treasuries extended their losses in the wake of the latest Note auction. Today's auction featured $35 billion of 2-year Notes that drew a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.43 on dollar demand of $120.1 billion and an indirect bidder participation rate of 40.0%. The 2-year Note ended the day down a couple of ticks so that its yield was last quoted at 0.39%.

Advancing Sectors: Consumer Discretionary (+0.4%), Energy (+0.3%), Tech (+0.1%), Telecom (+0.1%), Financials (+0.1%),
Declining Sectors: Consumer Staples (-0.4%), Health Care (-0.3%), Industrials (-0.3%), Materials (-0.2%), Utilities (-0.2%)DJ30 +5.41 NASDAQ +6.44 NQ100 +0.3% R2K -0.1% SP400 -0.2% SP500 +0.02 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1298/1.94 bln/1335 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1360/962 mln/1614

5:57PM STMicroelectronics announces appointment of new Chief Operating Officer (STM) 8.14 -0.13 : Co announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer. Alain Dutheil, who has held the position of ST's COO since 2005, has decided to retire following 27 years with the Company. Replacing Dutheil as ST's new COO is Didier Lamouche, who has been a member of the Supervisory Board of STM from April 2006, before stepping down on October 26, 2010, in view of his appointment as COO of STM.

5:31PM STMicroelectronics beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line (STM) 8.14 -0.13 : Reports Q3 (Sep) earnings of $0.22 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 17.1% year/year to $2.66 bln vs the $2.64 bln consensus. Mr. Bozotti stated, "Even though in the third quarter the level of bookings in certain market applications softened from the very high levels in prior periods, we are encouraged by the level of our backlog in the fourth quarter. As a result, we expect sequential net revenue growth of between 2% and 7%. We also expect the fourth quarter to show a further improvement in our gross margin to about 39.5%, plus or minus 1.0 percentage point' revenue approx $2.71-2.84 bln. THomson Reuters consensus $2.72 bln.

4:33PM Broadcom Corporation to offer approximately $600 mln of senior notes (BRCM) 37.22 -0.29 :

4:32PM Ixys beats by $0.01, beats on revs (IXYS) 10.88 +0.15 : Reports Q2 (Sep) earnings of $0.22 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 67.4% year/year to $89.9 mln vs the $85.8 mln consensus. Backlog was $160.0 million at September 30, 2010, as compared to $78.7 million at September 30, 2009. Bookings were $85.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $55.3 million for the comparable quarter of the prior year.

4:17PM LDK Solar: Helios to pay LDK Solar an amount of ~$31 million as arbitration award plus interest, costs of arbitration, and lawyers' fees (LDK) 11.29 +0.03 : Co announces that the International Court of Arbitration stated that the wafer supply contract entered into in October 2008 between LDK Solar and the Italy-based Helios Technology S.p.A is valid and effective throughout its duration and at terms and conditions related to quantities and prices set forth therein. The International Court of Arbitration also stated that by virtue of the arbitration proceedings Helios shall pay to LDK Solar an amount of approximately $31 million. To this amount interest of 8% shall be added from the date of the award until the effective payment as well as costs for the arbitration proceedings and lawyers' fees.

4:11PM F5 Networks beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus; announces $200 mln share repurchase program (FFIV) 102.54 +1.71 : Reports Q4 (Sep) earnings of $0.79 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.72; revenues rose 47.8% year/year to $254.3 mln vs the $249 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.80-0.82, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.73 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $265-270 mln vs. $259.76 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. The company also announced today that its board of directors approved a new program to repurchase up to $200 million of the company's outstanding common stock. "As enterprises and other large organizations confront the new realities of today's global economy, they are turning increasingly to technologies that enable them to operate more efficiently and compete more successfully by giving them flexible, on-demand access to more resources while reducing overall costs. This shift is reflected broadly in the trend towards data center consolidation and the widespread adoption of server virtualization and new infrastructure models such as cloud computing... Within the past year, these trends have accelerated, and our products have been increasingly deployed as strategic points of control in new data center architectures, integrating disparate resources and managing the flow of traffic within and between data centers. In addition, we have continued to see growing demand for our products among service providers grappling with the proliferation of mobile devices, the explosion of mobile applications and the corresponding increase in mobile data traffic. As a result, our product revenues grew 12 percent sequentially in Q4 and 38 percent during fiscal 2010,"

4:10PM Broadcom beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides Q4 revs above consensus (BRCM) 37.22 : Reports Q3 (Sep) earnings of $0.60 per share, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.55; revenues rose 44.0% year/year to $1.81 bln vs the $1.75 bln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q4, sees Q4 revs of $1.8-1.9 bln vs. $1.75 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Sees product gross margin flat from Q3. "Looking ahead, we believe that consumer demand for connectivity will continue to drive demand for our communication semiconductors, which should enable Broadcom to deliver solid revenue growth and sustained profitability in the fourth quarter."

4:10PM Novellus beats by $0.04, beats on revs (NVLS) 27.38 -0.43 : Reports Q3 (Sep) earnings of $0.88 per share, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 107.6% year/year to $367.2 mln vs the $355.7 mln consensus. Bookings in the third quarter of 2010 were $406.9 mln, up $22.0 mln or 5.7 percent from second quarter bookings of $384.9 mln. Third quarter shipments of $363.3 mln were up by $31.2 mln or 9.4 percent from $332.1 mln in the second quarter. Deferred revenue as of the end of the quarter was $47.4 mln, an increase of $3.0 mln or 6.8 percent from $44.4 mln at the end of the second quarter. Deferred revenue in the second and third quarters included $30.6 mln and $32.4 mln, respectively, related to system sales.

4:09PM Advanced Analogic Tech reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides Q4 revs in-line (AATI) 3.75 -0.09 : Reports Q3 (Sep) loss of $0.06 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.06); revenues fell 4.4% year/year to $25 mln vs the $24.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q4, sees Q4 revs of $23-25 mln vs. $24.98 mln Thomson Reuters consensus; sees GAAP EPS of ($0.09)-($0.07).

4:08PM FormFactor beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line, authorizes $50 mln share buyback (FORM) 8.37 -0.55 :

Reports Q3 (Sep) loss of $0.55 per share, ex-items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.56); revenues rose 8.0% year/year to $47.3 mln vs the $47.2 mln consensus. The company also announces it has authorized the repurchase of up to $50 mln in common stock.

4:07PM RF Micro Device beats by $0.03, beats on revs; sees next quarter in line with this quarter (RFMD) 6.37 -0.24 : Reports Q2 (Sep) earnings of $0.19 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.16; revenues rose 4.4% year/year to $285.8 mln vs the $275.9 mln consensus. Reports Q2 non-GAAP gross margin of 39.8% vs. the 39.4% consensus. RFMD expects December quarterly results will be approximately in line with September quarterly results (consensus calls for EPS of $0.17 and revs of 281.8 mln). RFMD now expects to achieve record free cash flow in fiscal 2011 in the range of $180-$200 million.

4:07PM F5 Networks announces new share repurchase program up to $200 million (FFIV) :

4:07PM FormFactor beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; announces $50 mln buyback (FORM) 8.36 -0.56 : Reports Q3 (Sep) loss of $0.55 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.56); revenues rose 8.2% year/year to $47.3 mln vs the $47.2 mln consensus. In other matters, the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million dollars worth of common stock. Under the authorized stock repurchase program, the company may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market; the pace of repurchase activity will depend on levels of cash generation, current stock price, and other factors. The stock repurchase authorization expires in 12 months and the program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

4:06PM Broadcom to acquire Percello for ~$86 mln (BRCM) 37.22 -0.29 : Co announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Percello. The acquisition of Percello is expected to enable co to lower overall bill of material cost and accelerate the time to market for best-in-class and energy-efficient femtocell technology. In connection with the acquisition, Broadcom expects to pay approximately $86 million, net of cash assumed from Percello, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other rights of Percello. The purchase price will be paid in cash, except that a portion of such purchase price attributable to unvested employee stock options will be paid in Broadcom restricted stock units. Additional consideration of up to $12 million in cash will be reserved for future payment to the former holders of Percello capital stock and other rights upon satisfaction of certain performance goals.

4:06PM F5 Networks -- Earnings Mover (FFIV) 102.54 +1.71 : Stock sees some initial weakness following the report, dropping roughly 5 pts as it dips down into the $98.00 area. Support is in this vicinity near $97.00-97.50, followed by $95.00, then $90.00.

4:02PM Molex beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q2 EPS below consensus, revs in-line; co increases dividend 14.8% to $0.175 (MOLX) 22.55 +0.28 : Reports Q1 (Sep) earnings of $0.45 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.44; revenues rose 33.2% year/year to $897.7 mln vs the $867.4 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.38-0.44 vs. $0.45 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q2 revs of $850-890 mln vs. $872.67 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

8:00AM JA Solar raises Q3 shipment guidance (JASO) 8.45 : Based on strong customer orders and higher than anticipated production and shipments during the third quarter, JA Solar expects its third quarter 2010 shipments to exceed 410 MW, above its previous shipment guidance of 375MW given on Aug. 10, 2010. The new guidance represents approximately 31.8 percent higher shipment compared with second quarter 2010 shipment of 311MW, and approximately 131.6 percent growth over third quarter 2009 shipment of 177MW.

7:10AM Benchmark Elec beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q4 EPS in-line, revs below consensus (BHE) 16.97 : Reports Q3 (Sep) earnings of $0.38 per share, excluding items, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.35; revenues rose 23.8% year/year to $631.9 mln vs the $610.6 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q4, sees EPS of $0.33-$0.37, excluding items, vs. $0.37 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q4 revs of $590-$630 mln vs. $642.16 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

Applied Materials (AMAT) announced that Hareon Solar has selected Applied's SmartFactory manufacturing automation software to improve productivity across Hareon's solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing operations in China...LSI Corp (LSI) announced it has collaborated with IP Infusion to develop an advanced carrier-grade solution for mobile backhaul and carrier Ethernet...

08:28 am Texas Instruments target raised to $34 at Stifel Nicolaus: . Stifel Nicolaus raises their TXN tgt to $34 from $29 following earnings. Firm believes TI continues to execute on its path to becoming a more stable and profitable company. Firm says while business is also poised to slow down near-term, they do not believe the company is about to embark on a multi-quarter correction. Given what they view as strong business execution, coupled with attractive valuation, firm reits their Buy.