Market Wrap: Facebook, the Unlocked Edition; JCPenney's 'Stewart' Trouble; Apple in More TV Talks; Nu Skin Bobs and Weaves

Market wrap-up for August 16th

End of the Day: S&P 500 up 10.0 to 1,415.51; Dow Jones up 85.3 to 13,250.11; Nasdaq up 31.5 to 3,062.39

The following is a brief summary of events moving markets today:

• Facing the music...the 'lock-up' music: Facebook, Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) moved to a post-IPO new low Thursday with the Company's lock-up provision expiring today. Citing the classical law of supply-and-demand, the inflow of more shares outpacing demand equals Facebook's share price moving lower. For more on the lock-up expiration, click here.
  
  
• When flat is better than a rise: According to data from the U.S. Labor Department on Thursday, Americans filing for initial jobless claims stayed relatively flat last week. About 366,000 applicants filed for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 11th. The number was lower than expectations calling for claims of 368,000, but above a revised higher 364,000 reading the prior week.
  
  For more color, click here.
  
  
• You can't spell television without A-P-P-L-E!: Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) was said to be in discussions with U.S. cable TV operators over new streaming deals for a potential Apple TV refresh.
  
  Though Apple was trying to strike deals for Apple TV before, what might make this round different is Apple offering concession. Prior talks called for operators to sign exclusivity rights on an Apple set-top-box (STB) unit and well as provide Apple 30 percent of profits from certain STB-derived purchases, rentals, and such.
  
  
• Like there was any doubt?: Verizon (NYSE: VZ) received approval from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) for the large $3.9 billion spectrum acquisition deal it made with a consortium of companies, including Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), announced last December.
  
  Under the deal, the companies would need to limit joint-marketing agreements already in place where Verizon's FiOS services are in competition with cable companies' video and broadband products.
  
  The DoJ also granted Verizon the right to sell spectrum to T-Mobile.
  
  Now, the deal will go though the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for final approval.
  
  
• JJCPenney, just call it "Marsha Steward." Macy's won't notice, promise: In addition to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO), Macy's (NYSE: M) filed a lawsuit against JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) in a New York court Thursday. Macy's is suing JCPenney over the sales of Martha Stewart items in its stores.
  
  For more on the litigation, click here.
  
  
• What's a "letter?" Is that a new email feature?: Nu Skin (NYSE: NUS) saw a bumpy afternoon ride Thursday, following reports it received a letter from Stanford University asking the company to stop using the name of one of its researchers in advertising material.
  
  In addition, Nu Skin said it is stopping Galvanic Spa facial unit imports until the product is registered as a medical device.
  
  Nu Skin ended the session down about 4 percent.
  
  
• Beats, but by a hair: Global retail giant Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) reported results for its second-quarter today, issuing a one cent earnings beat with better-than-expected sales.
  
  Though good, numbers couldn't satiate bears on Wall Street, causing the stock to fall 3 percent on the session.
  
  Looking ahead, Walmart said it sees third-quarter earnings of $1.04 to $1.09, to the stronger-end of the $1.05 Street consensus.

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