The investment bank announced it was writing down another $5.7 billion, and that it was selling assets tied to risky debt at a steep discount.

AMR Corp., up $1.48 at $9.48

Oil prices continued to ease, dropping closer to $120 a barrel and lifting hopes of a more protracted decline, which could boost profitability for this and other airline companies.

U.S. Steel Corp., up $20.43 at $165.76

The steel maker posted sharply higher second-quarter profit Tuesday, surpassing Wall Street expectations, as surging demand and prices boosted results to record levels.

Colgate Palmolive Co., up $5.59 at $74.15

The consumer-products firm raised prices by 4.5 percent without suffering a slowdown in either sales or profitability, leading to stronger forecasts for 2009.

Ford Motor Co., up 27 cents at $5.02

Media reports contend the auto maker is planning to tighten terms on truck and SUV leases due to losses in its lending arm.

Alcatel-Lucent, up 34 cents at $6.10

The chairman and chief executive of the French telecommunications company will resign later this year, following a sixth consecutive quarter of losses.

ArvinMeritor Inc., up $2.15 at $14.09

The auto parts supplier swung to a profit in its fiscal third quarter, aided by strong sales internationally.

JDA Software Group Inc., down $1.42 at $16.94

The software manufacturer reported that earnings fell 36% on lower license revenue, falling below what Wall Street was expecting.

(c) 2008 Providence Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

Story Source: Providence Journal