-- Britain's unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in the three months to February, down from 5.2% in the prior three-month period, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Tuesday.
Analysts expected unemployment to remain stable at 5.2%.
Meanwhile, the UK employment rate was 75% during the quarter to February.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $219, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $204.33, Change: $+8.02, Percent Change: +4.09%
Tractor Supply (TSCO) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $56.19, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $39.92, Change: $-4.90, Percent Change: -10.92%
Energy stocks were higher Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.1% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1.2%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1.8%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities Index fell 1.3%.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 4.8% to $93.94 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 4.4% to $99.68 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures increased 0.3% to $2.70 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, Halliburton (HAL) shares gained 4.1% after it reported lower Q1 adjusted net income and revenue that still topped analysts' expectations.