24/7 Closing Bell (NFLX, FSLR, T, FRX, HWAY, JASO, LVLT, LOW, MMM, AKS, ARMH, CRDN, SHW, CI, ININ)

Shares opened lower this morning on continuing concern about European bank debt. The Case-Shiller report on housing contributed to the weakness and then the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index came it at its lowest reading in three years. Shares of Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) continue to fall and First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) fired its CEO. Crude oil prices rose almost $2/barrel, and gold rose more than 3%, to top $1,700/ounce.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA down more than 205 points at 11,707.91 (-1.73%), the NASDAQ fell more than61 points (-2.26%) to 2,638.42, and the S&P 500 fell -2% or more than 25 points to 1,229.06.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today,  including a drop of AT&T (NYSE: T) to ‘market perform’ at Bernstein. Forest Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: FRX) was cut to ‘hold’ at Argus and Healthways Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY) downgraded at 3 firms. Stocks getting a boost today included JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) raised to ‘overweight’ at Piper Jaffray, Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) raised to ‘neutral’ at Citigroup, and Lowe’s Companies (NYSE: LOW) raised to ‘buy’ at Janney.

Here are today’s big post-earnings news reactions with prices during the last half-hour of trading:  Netflix is down nearly -35%, at $77.30; 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) fell more than -5.5%, to $77.45; AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKS) fell more than 13% to $7.52; ARM Holdings plc (NASDAQ: ARMH) up about 1%, at $27.98; Ceradyne Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDN) up nearly 10%, at $33.48; and Sherwin-Williams Co. (NYSE: SHW) up about 2.5%, at $83.62.

Several other standouts from today are as follows…

First Solar dropped more than -25%, to $43.40, a new 52-week low. The company has fired its CEO after the shares have been pummeled on falling prices for solar PV panels. The stock’s 52-week high is $175.45, and that may be in the rear-view mirror forever.

Healthways is down more than -43%, at $6.31, after posting a new 52-week low of $6.22 earlier. CIGNA Corp. (NYSE: CI) will be cutting its contract work with Healthways following Cigna’s announced acquisition of HealthSpring.

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ININ) dropped more than -24%, to $25.66. The company was downgraded by two analyst firms. The company reported soft earnings this morning.

SMTC Corp. (NASDAQ: SMTX) is up more than 45%, to $2.11. The circuit board maker raised fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 guidance.

Unisys Corp. (NYSE: UIS) is up more than 32%, at $26.54. Earnings beat expectations as foreign sales appear to be more than making up for weak federal government sales in the US.

Stay tuned for Wednesday.  We have the following events noted:

• 7:30 a.m. — Mortgage Bankers Association mortgage purchase applications
• 8:30 a.m. — Durable Goods orders
• 10:00 a.m. — New home sales
• 10:30 a.m. — EIA Petroleum status report