Market Update

European Indexes Lower, Statoil Sells Retail Business for $2.8 B

Arthi Gupta
18 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European indexes traded lower and the Euro area swung to deficit in February. Argentina rejected a $10.5 billion compensation claim from Repsol. Canada-based Alimentation agreed to acquire Statoil Fuel & Retail for $2.8 billion.

Euro Area Construction Falls, Swiss Sentiment Improves

Arthi Gupta
18 Apr, 2012
New York City

Euro area current account swung to deficit and production fell in February. Swedish central bank held rate and Swiss economic sentiment improved in April.

U.S. Movers: IBM, J&J, Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola, W.W. Grainger

Mukesh Buch
17 Apr, 2012
New York City

IBM agreed to sell its point-of-sale business to Toshiba Tec for $850 Mn. J&J first quarter net soared 12.5% to $3.9 billion and raise fiscal earnings per share outlook. Goldman Sachs first quarter net surged 128% to $2.1 billion. W.W. Grainger, Inc. first quarter net soared 19% and raises outlook.

Nikkei Falls Second Day, Toshiba Tec and I BM in $850 Million Deal

Nigel Thomas
17 Apr, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Japan fell on international worries for the second day in a row. Toshiba Tec agreed to acquire point-of-sale business from IBM for $850 million. Olympus Corp fell after two executives are said to retain jobs after stepping down the company board.

Rio Tinto Production Decline Drags Australian Stocks

Marcus Jacob
17 Apr, 2012
New York City

Australian indexes traded lower after Rio Tinto reported sharply lower production at its copper and iron ore mines. Market sentiment was also weaker after China reported a decline in foreign direct investment.

U.S. Housing Starts Decline, IMF Lifts Growth Outlook

Arthi Gupta
17 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes gained after the IMF lifted global growth outlook for this year and housing starts fell in March. IBM agreed to sell Retail Store Solutions business to Toshiba for about $850 million. Fanatics agreed to acquire Dreams for $183 million.

Spain Sells

Arthi Gupta
17 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European indexes rose after Spain raised

U.S. Markets Rebound, Real Treasury Yields Turn Negative

Bikram Pandey
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks rebounded after retail sales were ahead of expectations in March. Treasury yields turned negative after adjusting for inflation. World Bank appointed another American as a head following the tradition of seventy years over objections from fast developing nations.

U.S. Movers: Citigroup, Gannett, M&T Bank, Mattel, Charles Schwab

Mukesh Buch
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

Citigroup first quarter net dropped 2% to $2.9 billion but improving economic outlook helped revenues by 2%. Gannett first quarter net declined 24.6% on advertising revenues. M&T Bank first quarter net fell to $206.5 million. Mattel net tumbled 53%. Stratasys soar on first quarter outlook.

UK Home Prices Rise, Mortgage Lending Climbs

Arthi Gupta
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes fell after home prices rose to record levels in April and mortgage lending climbed in February. Stocks were volatile after Spanish bond yields and credit default rose to a new high for the year.

Nikkei Plunges 1.7%

Nigel Thomas
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

The benchmark Nikkie index plunged the most in last two weeks as international worries dominated trading sentiment. Investors focused on the record Spanish bond yields and Korea lowered its growth estimate in the current year.

U.S. Retail Sales Rise; Homebuilder Confidence Falls

Arthi Gupta
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes traded sideways and retail sales rose more than estimated in March. Home builder confidence declined in April. Goldman Sachs agreed to sell ICBC stake to Temasek for $2.3 billion. Stratasys and Objet agreed to merge in a $1.4 billion all-stock transaction.

Australian Business Lending Declined For the Fourth Month

Marcus Jacob
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks fell after business lending declined for the fourth month in a row in February. Whitehaven Coal completed the purchase of Aston Resources. Linc Energy announced a joint venture to explore natural gas in China.

Euro Area Swings to Trade Surplus; Italian Exports Up 7.3%

Arthi Gupta
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

Euro area trade balance swung to a surplus, employment in the German manufacturing sector and Italian exports increased in February. Danish output prices climbed and Norwegian trade surplus rose to a record high in March.

Spanish Yields at 6%, GDF Completes International Power Purchase

Arthi Gupta
16 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European indexes pared gains as investors focused on the rising bond yields. GDF acquired remaining 30% stake in International Power for