Market Update

Japan Struggles with Slowing Inflation Rate, Industrial Production Falls

Hiruki Nakamura
26 Dec, 2014
New York City

Inflation index slowed for the fourth month in a row and industrial production fell in November in Japan. Auto production also declined 12% in the month. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group agreed to acquire consumer banking business of Citigroup Inc in Japan.

Japan

Mukesh Buch
26 Dec, 2014
New York City

Alphageo (India) secured a contract from Oil India, Assam. BPCL plans to raise Rs 4,000 crore for the expansion of its Kochi refinery. Essar Oil buys 73.9% stake in Vadinar Power. Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank takes 2.77% stake in Reliance Capital.

Japan Extends 4-day Rally, Japan Post to Schedule IPO in 2015

Hiruki Nakamura
24 Dec, 2014
New York City

Market indexes in Japan gained and financials and technology developer and exporters led the gainers. Japan Post is planning $5.8 billion public offering in third quarter of 2015.

Australian Indexes Advance Before Holidays

Marcus Jacob
24 Dec, 2014
New York City

Australian stocks gained following the advance in international markets and ahead of long holiday weekend. Crude oil and gold prices edged up in thin trading but resource stocks faced headwinds.

Keurig Green Recalls 7.2 M Machines, B&N to Split Nook

Mukesh Buch
24 Dec, 2014
New York City

Barnes & Noble agreed to buy back its Nook e-reader stake from Pearson and plans to split the business. Cal-Maine profit surged 40%. CalAmp net dropped 4%. Chesapeake Energy announced share-buyback plan for up to $1 billion. Keurig Green recalled 7.2 million brewing machines.

HeidelbergCement in Deal with Lone Star, Pearson Sell Nook Media Stake

Nigel Thomas
24 Dec, 2014
New York City

HeidelbergCement agreed to sell its brick and roof-tile business to Lone Star Funds for $1.4 billion. Pearson agreed to sell its stake in Nook Media to Barnes & Noble for $28 million. Smith & Nephew surged after Stryker plans to offer a substantial premium.

UltraTech to Buy Cement Plants from Jaiprakash Associates

Mukesh Buch
24 Dec, 2014
New York City

IOCL plans to invest Rs 6,800 crore to expand its Gujarat refinery unit. Neyveli Lignite plans to import coal worth Rs 14,375 crore for power project in UP. UltraTech Cement agreed to buy two cement plants worth Rs 5,400 crore from Jaiprakash Associates.

Dow and S&P Extend Gains, Oil Advances

Nichole Harper
23 Dec, 2014
New York City

Market indexes extended gains in the week, in the month and in the year after the U.S. revised third quarter economic growth rate to 5%. Tech stocks led the charge and retailers gained on the expectations of stronger-than-expected holiday sales.

Cargill Rejects Nutreco Deal, Walgreen Profit Climbs

Mukesh Buch
23 Dec, 2014
New York City

Cargill rejected acquisition plan for Nutreco NV. Radian Group agreed to sell financial-guaranty business to Assured Guaranty for $810 million. Steelcase net declined 49% after revenues barely rose 2%. Sierra agreed to acquire Wireless Maingate. Walgreen profit climbed 16%.

BBVA Sell 29.7% Stake of Citic, Oerlikon in Deal with Evatec

Nigel Thomas
23 Dec, 2014
New York City

BBVA agreed to sell 29.7% stake in a Hong Kong-based Citic Intl for about

Australia Halts 4-day Rally, Saudi Reaffirms Production Target

Marcus Jacob
23 Dec, 2014
New York City

Australian stocks halted a 4-day rally and resource and bank stocks led the decline. Investors also pushed oil lower after Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to maintain production level even if oil drops to $20 a barrel.

Rupee Drops to New Record Low, Cipla Wins Contract in South Africa

Mukesh Buch
23 Dec, 2014
New York City

Alstom T&D India secured a contract worth Rs 180 crore from NTPC. Cipla won an order for about Rs 1,100 crore in South Africa. Madhucon Projects to sell 74% stake in its subsidiaries. Mukand transfer its alloy steel business worth Rs 1,590 crore to its subsidiary.

S&P 500 Nears Record Close, Oil and Gold Turn Lower

Nichole Harper
22 Dec, 2014
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street advanced after a rally in oil price lifted energy complex. However, the early rally in oil and gold, silver and copper faded and prices of commodities declined in the afternoon. European and Asian markets closed higher.

Australia Lowers Iron Ore Price Oulook by 33%, Third Downward Revision

Marcus Jacob
22 Dec, 2014
New York City

Australian stocks staged a rebound after crude oil prices advanced. Australia lowered its iron ore price for exports by 33% in 2015, third downward revision in the year. Fairfax announced to merge its radio station with Macquarie Radio Network.

Idemitsu and Showa Shell in Merger Talks in Japan

Hiruki Nakamura
22 Dec, 2014
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo advanced after energy-complex companies led the gainers. The third-largest refiner, Idemitsu Kosan is looking to buy Showa Shell Sekiyu KK. Skymark Airlines plunged after Airbus Group NV began legal proceedings.