Dow Gained 94, Nasdaq Adds 29

The Dow gained 93.73 points today to close at 11,211.05, the Nasdaq added 29.07 points to close at 2,198.24 and the S&P 500 added 14.31 points to close at 1,272.88. The markets ended higher today as existing home sale data temporarily doused investors' fears of inflation and interest rate hikes. Revised Q1 GDP was 5.3%, lower than the 5.8% forecast, which analysts see as evidence of an expanding economy - at a controlled pace. COMEX Gold price closed at $650 an ounce. Oil closed up $1.46 to $71.32.

Volume was modest with 1.74 billion shares trading on the NYSE and 2.03 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers clobbered decliners by a margin of 25:07 on the NYSE and 22:08 on the Nasdaq.

In individual stories, Stone Energy Corp. (NYSE: SGY) ended 22.6% (+$9.19) higher after Energy Partners, Ltd. (NYSE: EPL) announced that it has made an offer to the Board of Directors of Stone Energy to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stone for a combination of cash and stock valued at $52.00 per Stone share. Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI) ended 20% (-$3.75) lower after reporting Q4 EPS of $0.07, 2 cents worse than estimates.(0.09) Revenues were $35.9 million vs. $35.12 million consensus. Sees Q1 EPS of $0.04-$0.06, ex-items, versus the consensus of $0.14 (may not be comparable). Sees Q1 revenue $36.1-$36.6 million, versus the consensus of $37.16 million.

Tomorrow traders will be looking for economic data on Personal Income, Personal Spending (8:30AM EST) and University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (9:50AM EST).

StreetInsider.com Trading Radar 05/26

Personal Spending/Income is expected to be released at 8:30AM ET with economists looking for 0.6% and 0.7%, respectivly.

SkillSoft (Nasdaq: SKIL) is expected to report results with analysts looking for EPS of $0.02 and revenue of $53.8 million.

The University of Michigan Consumer Confidence Index will be released at 9:50AM with economists looking for 79.

Frontline (NYSE: FRO) is expected to report results with analysts looking for EPS of $2.41 and revenue of $256.93 million.

Daily Block Trades of Note 05/25: EP, TMX, CBS, FDRY

El Paso Corp. (NYSE: EP): A 20.1 million share block traded at 2:37PM at $15.06. Today's volume is already at 27.4 million shares versus the three month average full-day volume of 5.9 million. Shares are trading at $15.06 (+6.8%) in afternoon action.

Telefonos de Mexico SA de CV (NYSE: TMX): A 4.9 million share block traded at 8:56AM at $20.56. Today's volume is already at 6 million shares versus the three month average full-day volume of 1.8 million. Shares are trading at $21.43 (+4.2%) in afternoon action.

CBS (NYSE: CBS): A 3 million share block traded at 12:20PM at $25.95. Today's volume is already at 6.8 million shares versus the three month average full-day volume of 4.4 million. Shares are trading at $26.01 (+2.4%) in afternoon action.

Foundry Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FDRY): A 1.2 million share block traded at 10:53AM at $12.45. Today's volume is already at 3.7 million shares versus the three month average full-day volume of 2.4 million. Shares are trading at $12.47 (-0.1%) in afternoon action.

Largest Volume Increases of Note 05/25: AMEN, EBHC, AMSF, PBJ, AIC

AMEN Properties Inc. (NASDAQ: AMEN): volume is 16423% above the 5-day average today after the company announced its entry into a material definitive agreement. The stock is 12.7% higher in mid-day action.

Eddie Bauer (OTC: EBHC): volume is 1371% above the 5-day average today after the company hired Goldman Sachs for a possible sale. The stock is 12.9% higher in mid-day action.

Amerisafe, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSF): volume is 1331% above the 5-day average today. There is no news to explain the spike in volume The stock is 0.7% higher in mid-day action.

PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage (AMEX: PBJ): volume is 1299% above the 5-day average today. This is an ETF so there is no direct news. The ETF is 1.13% higher in mid-day action.

Aames Investment Corp. (NYSE: AIC): volume is 1278% above the 5-day average today after the company agreed to be acquired by Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (NASDAQ: LEND). The stock is 7.5% lower in mid-day action.