Moving the Market

[BRIEFING.COM] Market participants spent the session focusing on word the government may be close to creating a "bad bank" that will purchase risky assets from existing banks. Divesting risky assets would help banks protect against further asset write-downs, and increase cash on their books. That would help limit the need to raise additional capital, which can be dilutive to shareholders.

Helping financial companies restore their health is largely seen as the first step in repairing the financial system and the broader economy. The financial sector responded by gaining 13%, leading the broader market more than 3% higher.

Wells Fargo (WFC 21.19, +5.00) provided the most support to the financial sector and the broader market. It gained 31%, marking its best single-session performance in months. Wells Fargo won kudos after announcing it is maintaining its dividend, and has no plans to ask for additional TARP capital. Wells Fargo reported a loss of $0.79 per share including items, but a profit of $0.41 per share after excluding the items. The consensus called for earnings of $0.33 per share.