Ticker Talk

Optimism about U.S. stocks has reached its lowest level since October, falling for a fifth straight week, according to a survey of investment newsletter editors taken last week. The percentage of newsletters that called themselves bullish, or optimistic, about U.S. stocks fell to 45.8% in the week ended Friday from 50% the previous week, according to the poll by Investors Intelligence newsletter. Optimism hasn’t been so low since Oct. 23, when 45.3% were bullish. While such results may sound bearish, contrarian analysts often see them as a bullish sign that investors are stashing cash that could be used to power the market higher again. . . .

Miami-based Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. said it will seek to raise as much as $300 million through a first-time stock sale. But Chicago-based Tunes.com has shelved its initial public offering after the slump of several other Web music IPOs, the firm said.