Market Update

French Consumer Spending Falls; Euro Area Jobless Rate Above 10%

Arthi Gupta
31 Jan, 2012
New York City

Euro area jobless rate remain unchanged but stayed above 10% in December as Spanish jobless rate rose to 22.9% and Greek rate to 19.2%. German retail sales dropped and French consumer spending fell in December. Spanish inflation eased in January.

Autstralian Indexes Up 5% in January; Woolworths Sales Rise

Marcus Jacob
31 Jan, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks edged lower today but surged in the month on the optimism that the euro zone will succeed in containing its debt crisis. For the month, the benchmark index added 5.1%. Woolworths comparable sales in December increased 4.1% and decided to sell its electronics retailer Dick Smith.

EU Adopts Fiscal Compact; ThyssenKrupp, Outokumpu in

Arthi Gupta
31 Jan, 2012
New York City

European leaders agreed on the fiscal compact that will pave the way for the European Central Bank involvement. Czech Republic and UK dissented. ThyssenKrupp agreed to sell its Finnish unit for

Greek Crisis, EU Summit Sway Global and U.S. Markets

Bikram Pandey
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

Stocks in New York traded lower as European leaders gather in Brussels one more time to devise plans to contain debt crisis. Banks and resources in New York and Europe declined. Exxon sold its majority stake in a Japan based refinery. U.S. Treasury bonds yields fell near record low levels.

Nikkei in 3-day Losses; Nippon Glass, Mitsubishi Electric Drop

Nigel Thomas
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo edged lower and the yen strengthened ahead of the EU summit. Exxon agreed to sell its stake in the crude oil refinery TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK for nearly $3.9 billion. Advantest surged on profit forecast and Nippon Electric Glass declined on a sharp drop in earnings.

U.S. Movers: ABB, Gannett Co., Ingles Markets, Pep Boys, Wolverine

Mukesh Buch
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

ABB agreed to acquire Thomas & Betts Corp. for $3.9 billion. Thomas & Betts fourth quarter net increased to $56.8 million. Gannett Co., fourth quarter net slumped 33% to $116.9 million. Pep Boys acquired by private equity firm The Gores Group for $1 billion.

UK Home Prices Flat; Ryanair Swings to Profit

Arthi Gupta
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes declined as banks and miners fell today and home prices were flat in January. Centrica agreed to acquire non-operated interests in the Statfjord energy field for

Pep Boys Goes Private, ABB to Acquire Thomas & Betts

Arthi Gupta
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

The U.S. indexes fell as leaders in Europe gather to discuss the debt crisis. Exxon decided to sell its stake in a Japanese refinery for $3.9 billion. Switzerland-based ABB agreed to buy Thomas & Betts for $3.9 billion and Pep Boys agreed to be acquired by The Gores Group for $1 billion.

Retailers and Banks Drag Australian Stocks Lower

Marcus Jacob
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks and indexes edged lower on the worries that four largest banks may face another ratings downgrade and retailers ease as the dollar strengthened. Transurban chief executive resigned.

Euro Area Sentiment Improves; Spanish Economy Shrinks 0.3%

Arthi Gupta
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

German wholesale sales eased and the Spanish economy contracted in the fourth quarter. Euro area economic confidence improved but Italian business confidence declined in January.

Italy Auctions

Arthi Gupta
30 Jan, 2012
New York City

European markets edged lower ahead of the EU leaders meeting in Brussels later today and Italy auctioned

Economic Recovery Falls Short of Expectations; U.S. Stocks Zigzag

Bikram Pandey
27 Jan, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes fell after the latest economic growth data failed to spark enthusiasm. Ford Motor reported a large net profit on one-time tax gains but operating net lagged on weak Asian and European results. Markets indexes in Europe declined after Greek talks foundered and Spanish jobs surged to 23%.

Australian Indexes Extend Gains for the Fourth Week

Marcus Jacob
27 Jan, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks extended gains for the second day and resource stocks and banks led the advance. Woodside Petroleum said it is looking to sell a stake in its Western Australia based natural gas basin.

U.S. Movers: Amgen, Chevron, Caterpillar, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks

Mukesh Buch
27 Jan, 2012
New York City

Amgen fourth quarter net slipped to $937 million. Chevron fourth quarter net decreased to $5.1 billion and Caterpillar fourth quarter net surged 60% to $1.54 billion. Ford fourth quarter net surged to $13.6 billion. Procter & Gamble second quarter net slumped 49% to $1.7 billion.

FTSE Falls 1.1%; Irish Retail Sales Improves

Arthi Gupta
27 Jan, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes gained and investors focused on the Greek debt restructuring outcome. Irish retail sales improved in December. BP plc ordered to bear all costs related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.