The Market Advances Decliners September-17-2009

AMR Corp. (AMR) gained 18% after the American Airlines parent said it obtained $2.9 billion in added liquidity and new aircraft-leasing financing. See full story on AMR.

Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM) climbed 3.4%, with shares in the real estate investment trust supported by positive economic data on the housing market. Read more on housing starts.

Nucor Corp. (NUE) shares rose 3.9% after Citigroup upgraded the steel maker's shares to buy from hold.

Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) shares surged 7.7%, making it the biggest advancer on the S&P 500, after Credit Suisse said U.S. oil demand could stage a rally before year-end, "led principally by distillate consumption." Analyst Mark Flannery said he expects "a big bounce in U.S. oil demand should spark an immediate revival of interest in U.S. refining stocks." Shares in refiner Tesoro Corp. (TSO) gained 4.2%, while Sunoco Inc. (SUN) gained 2.8%.

Decliners

Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) shares fell 12% after the photography-products maker said it would sell debt to raise up to $700 million in financing. See story on Kodak and KKR.

FedEx Corp. (FDX) slipped 2.4% after the world's second-largest package delivery company reported a sharp drop in its first-quarter earnings. See detailed report.

Regional banks: KeyCorp (KEY) fell 6.7%, Zions Bancorp (ZION) lost 5.5%, Fifth Third (FITB) lost 1.6% and Comerica Inc. (CMA) sank 3%, contributing to a sell-off in financial stocks that led the broader S&P 500 $SPX lower. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their earnings estimates for Fifth Third after the company cautioned about credit losses. Read more on financial stocks.

Oracle Corp. (ORCL) shares fell 2.6% after the software goliath reported first-quarter results that gave little sign of a spending pickup among businesses. Read more.