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Nikkei Falls 2%, Japan Reports 19th Monthly Deficit in a Row

Hiruki Nakamura
20 Feb, 2014
New York City

Nikkei declined 2% after Japan reported 19th monthly trade deficit in a row on a surge energy imports. Weakening growth outlook in China also dragged market sentiment in Tokyo and Asia. Asahi Group estimated a fall in earnings on the impending rise in sales tax.

Weak China Growth Drags Australian Markets, Fairfax Soars 23%

Marcus Jacob
20 Feb, 2014
New York City

Australian market indexes trimmed the gains after a private survey in China suggested slowing manufacturing industry growth and moderate business conditions. Australian dollar eased. Fairfax Media soared 23% on earnings. Amalgamated Holdings Net fell 2%.

India Movers: Esab, M&M, Nagarjuna Agrichem, Thomas Cook, TCS

Mukesh Buch
20 Feb, 2014
New York City

Esab India net declined 33% and sales dropped 11%. Mahindra & Mahindra lowered vehicle prices. Nagarjuna Agrichem net loss widened but sales jumped 22%. Thomas Cook profit plunged 27%.

Facebook Acquires WhatsApp for $19 Billion

Nigel Thomas
20 Feb, 2014
New York City

Facebbok agreed to acquire fast growing Internet based messaging service WhatsApp for $19 billion. The expensive purchase works out to be $40 per active user. The acquisition is the largest by Facebook so far and follows the Instagram purchase for $1 billion.

Signet to buy Zale for $1.4 Billion; Lithia Motors, Spirit Airlines Jump

Mukesh Buch
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Devon Energy net swung to a profit and sell Canada assets for $2.8 billion. Eaton Vance net soared 22%. Lithia Motors profit and sales soared as same store sales in the quarter climbed 11%. Omnicare net swung to a loss. Signet agreed to acquire Zale for $21 a share in cash.

Emerging Markets in Focus with Ukraine, Thailand Violence

Nichole Harper
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Emerging markets were in focus after protests turned violent in Ukraine, Thailand, Venezuela and Egypt. The U.S. housing starts dropped to annual rate of 888,000 in January and the permits demand declined for the third month in a row. Producer prices rose 0.2%.

Yen Rises, Union Wage Demand Surprises Toyota

Hiruki Nakamura
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Nikkei index in Tokyo extended gains for the second time this week and the yen gained against the dollar and the euro. Toyota said union demand for annual wage increase is surprisingly high. Hokkaido increased power rates for the first time in three decades.

Europe Earnings: Galliford Try, Lafarge, Peugeot, Sports Direct, TF1

Nigel Thomas
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Galliford Try profit and sales soared 18%. Lafarge net climbed 156.6% to

Australian Indexes Trim Gains; Wesfarmers, Fortescue Metals in Focus

Marcus Jacob
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Market indexes in Sydney opened higher on the back of a rally in resource sector but trimmed gains in the late afternoon. Wesfarmers reported first-half profit increased 11%. Woodside Petroleum full-year net declined 41%.

India Movers: Ashok Leyland, Airtel, Financial Tech, HMT, Paper Products

Mukesh Buch
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Ashok Leyland plans to divest non-core assets to reduce debt burden. Financial Tech gained after Tech Mahindra may take a stake in the company. HMT surged after government approved restructuring plan. Paper Products net surged 66%.

U.S. Stocks Meander on Weak New York Region, Home Builder Indexes

Nichole Harper
18 Feb, 2014
New York City

U.S. market indexes struggled and a $25 billion deal between Forest Lab and Actavis dominated market sentiment. Coca-Cola declined after revenues and earnings declined. Home builders fell. Kansas City Southern dropped 6% after a legislation in Mexico proposed opening railroad transportation market.

Actavis Offers $25 Billion for Forest Laboratories

Mukesh Buch
18 Feb, 2014
New York City

Coca-Cola net fell 8% and revenue dropped 4%. Duke Energy net surged 51% and revenue climbed 25%. Forest Laboratories agreed to be acquired by Actavis for cash and equity. Genuine Parts net dropped 6%. Medtronic net plunged 23%. Waste Management net swung to a loss.

Europe Earnings: Casino Guichard, IHG, John Wood, MTU Aero, Pandora

Nigel Thomas
18 Feb, 2014
New York City

Casino Guichard net declined 19% to

Nikkei Soars 3% After BOJ Offers Loosens Lending Program Terms

Hiruki Nakamura
18 Feb, 2014
New York City

Bank of Japan in a surprise move improved on the margin its two small private sector lending program to increase growth in loans. The move surprised investors and the Nikkei surged 3%.

BHP Billiton Cost Focus Lifts Net, Australian Rate Outlook Stable

Marcus Jacob
18 Feb, 2014
New York City

Reserve Bank of Australia indicated in the latest statement that interest rate may remain stable in the near term and the Aussie dollar traded above 90 U.S. cents. BHP Billiton first-half revenues increased 5.6% and net surged 83% on cost cutting and shelving capital spending.

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