CW75 stock performance.(Illustration)

Chemical Week, August, 2004

The CW75 Index fell 1.3% for the week ending July 28, despite higher second-quarter earnings. The Morgan Stanley global composite index slipped 1.2%, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index was flat. Basic chemical stocks were down 1%, diversified 1.2%, and specialty chemical stocks, 1.6%.

"Higher crude oil prices along with growing concerns about a potential economic slowdown in the second half led the market lower again last week," says Don Carson, analyst at Merrill Lynch (New York).

Cabot Microelectronics's stock rose 22% following a strong earnings report, and an upgrade by WR Hambrecht (San Francisco). FMC and Crompton were also among the leaders last week after strong earnings reports.

Ferro's stock slumped 19.1% on news of a securities...

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