The markets recovered earlier losses but still closed lower with the Dow losing 18 points to 13,096 as consumer confidence dropped in December. Nasdaq slipped 4 points to 2985. On the upside
Longbow upgraded Chemtura (NYSE: CHMT) to a Buy rating. Forbes noted that Ruckus Wireless (NYSE: RKUS) had a larger market capitalization than some smaller S&P 500 components. Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) chief executive Tim Cook received a large cut in his 2012 compensation package. On the downside Profit taking sank shares of SGOCO Group (Nasdaq: SGOC) whose stock price rose after the company announced yesterday that it would hold its annual shareholder meeting on December 28, 2012.CNNMoney listed AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) as one of the worst performing stocks of 2012. Seeking Alpha named Cellcom Israel (NYSE: CEL) as one of the worst telecom stocks of 2012. In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index eased a point to 1418.