Shares of clothing retailer Bebe Stores Inc. tumbled 8 percent Friday, after it posted a quarterly loss on sharply lower sales.

U.S. stocks were little changed in choppy trading on Friday as brokerage upgrades offset data showing the unemployment rate soared to 10.2 percent last month, its highest in more than 26 years.

Shares of Ormat Technologies Inc. tumbled on Friday as an analyst downgraded the stock, citing 2010 product revenue uncertainties.

Oil and gas exploration and production companies face pressure as near-term catalysts are limited, natural gas prices are likely to remain relatively low and stock values remain high, an analyst said Friday as he downgraded stocks in the sector.

Shares of online jewelry retailer Blue Nile Inc. rose in premarket trading on Friday, after third-quarter profit rose 10 percent and a Deutsche Bank analyst upgraded the stock, seeing bright prospects for market share and its international business.

Driven by strength across all its businesses, Nvidia Corp. posted better-than-expected results for its third quarter, sending shares higher in premarket trading Friday.

An analyst upgraded Willbros Group Inc. Friday on signs that the oil industry contractor’s key operations are improving.

Shares of Starbucks Corp. perked up in premarket trading Friday after the chain said its fourth-quarter profit climbed and it lifted its fiscal 2010 adjusted earnings guidance due to improving traffic in its stores.

Consumers likely reduced their borrowing for an eighth straight month in September, as layoffs continue and credit remains tight. The declines in borrowing are expected to drag on the fledgling economic recovery.

Businesses likely slashed wholesale inventories for a record 13th consecutive month in September. But analysts expect sales rose for a sixth straight month.