Shares of construction and engineering companies opened mixed as the broader markets slipped following a report that consumer confidence hit a 28-year low while oil prices surpassed $127 a barrel.

Shares of construction and engineering companies ended higher on Thursday as broader markets edged up following a downturn in oil prices and news that the economy may be in better shape than expected

Among the earnings projection stories for Wednesday, May 14, from AP Financial News:

Fluor Corp. boosted its full-year earnings forecast Wednesday because of a one-time gain related to the sale of its stake in a wind farm joint venture.

Engineering and construction company Fluor Corp. said Wednesday it signed an approximately $1.8 billion contract to design and build what it says will be the world's largest offshore wind farm, for Scottish and Southern Energy.

Among the sector activity stories for Tuesday, May 13, from AP Financial News:

Shares of heavy construction and engineering companies rose Tuesday after Fluor Corp. and McDermott International Inc. posted first-quarter earnings that impressed investors.

Among the premarket stories for Tuesday, May 13, from AP Financial News:

Shares of Fluor Corp. jumped in premarket trading Tuesday after the contractor and engineering company said its first-quarter profit rose 63 percent to beat Wall Street estimates.

Among the earnings stories for Monday, May 12, from AP Financial News:

Fluor Corp.'s profit leaped 63 percent in the first quarter as the engineering and construction contractor won a host of new projects, especially in the energy sector, the company said Monday.

KBR Inc.'s proposed $550 million acquisition of an Alabama engineering and construction company is further evidence of its drive to expand its presence in industrial construction, the top executive of the military and engineering contractor said Tuesday.

Engineering and construction company Fluor Corp. said Wednesday its board approved a two-for-one stock split.