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Durable Goods Orders Plunge 4%; Confidence Rises

Nichole Harper
28 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks traded sideways after durable goods orders fell in January at the sharpest pace in three years on weaker than expected demands for aircrafts and business equipment. Consumer confidence increased in February. Priceline.com soared on quarterly results. Cooper Tire settled a 3-month strike.

Italian Yields Fall to 9-month Low; Greek Initiates Debt Swap

Devan Biswas
28 Feb, 2012
New York City

European markets closed mixed and Greece kicked off its debt swap program with private holders. Portugal said it passed third check from troika and is not looking for more debt or more time to pay the current debt. Italian debt yields dropped to a 9-mnth low.

U.S. Movers: AutoZone, Cablevision, Domino

Mukesh Buch
28 Feb, 2012
New York City

AutoZone second quarter net increased 13% to $166.9 million. Bank of Montreal first quarter net soared 34% to $1.10 billion. Ecolab fourth quarter net declined 32% to $88.7 million. Sempra Energy fourth quarter net increased to $292 million.

Nikkei Rises 0.9%, Elpida Files Bankruptcy

Marcus Jacob
28 Feb, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo trading closed higher reversing earlier losses in the day after the largest PC chipmaker Elpida Memory Inc filed for a bankruptcy protection with $5.6 billion in debt. Shipping companies declined for the second day in a row.

Australian Stocks Ease; QBE Net Plunges, Goodman Fielder Soars

Marcus Jacob
28 Feb, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks edged lower for the second day and resource prices stayed elevated. QBE Insurance said it will raise capital in a rights offering after annual net plunged. Goodman Fielder soared on a takeover speculation.

Nasdaq at a 10-year High; ECB Loan Results Awaited

Bikram Pandey
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes traded higher after pending home sales index jumped more than expected and offered another evidence of slow and steady economic recovery. European markets awaited the second instalment of 3-year loans from the ECB this week. Germany approved second Greek bailout.

U.S. Movers: American Water Works, El Paso, Lowe

Mukesh Buch
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

American Water Works fourth quarter net increased to $64.8 million. El Paso fourth quarter net surged to $185 million. HSBC Holdings annual net soared 27% to $16.2 billion. Lowe

UK Indexes Down 1.1%; Essar Energy Swings to Loss

Arthi Gupta
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes edged lower on renewed euro zone worries, a spike in oil prices and an inconclusive G20 meeting at the weekend. The UK home prices remained flat in February. Vedanta confirmed merger of its Indian iron ore and copper divisions.

European Woes Drag U.S. Indexes; Lowe's Net Rises 13%

Arthi Gupta
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

The U.S. indexes and commodities tracked lower on the weakness in world markets. G20 finance ministers rebuffed calls for more lending to the euro zone nations. El Paso agreed to sell EP Energy to Apollo-led consortium for $7.15 billion.

Euro Area Money Supply Grows 2.5%; Italian Confidence Wanes

Arthi Gupta
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

Euro area leading economic index, money supply growth and French producer prices rose in January. Italian confidence declined for the third straight month in February.

Weaker Yen Drives Japanese Stocks; Tokyo Dome Rises 8%

Nigel Thomas
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

The yen continued its steady slide against the dollar and stocks closed lower in a choppy trading. J. Front Retailing agreed to acquire a stake in rival retailer Parcos. Tokyo Dome gained 8% after it estimated fiscal year profit.

G20 Demands Larger Rescue Fund; European Indexes Fall 1.1%

Arthi Gupta
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

The G20 nations demanded Europe to increase the size of its bailout fund. Italy raised

Australian Stocks Fall; Billabong Rejects Buyout Offer

Marcus Jacob
27 Feb, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks edged lower on the first day of trading after higher crude oil price dragged down market indexes in China, India and Japan. Mining companies traded lower. Billabong rejected $765 million offer. Telstra Corp released its broadband Internet access plans for consumers.

World Markets Rest; U.S. Home Sales Struggle

Bikram Pandey
26 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced in the week after investors focused on domestic earnings and worries in the euro zone subsided for now. U.S. new home sales in January fell 0.9% and 2011 sales were the fewest since record keeping began five decades ago.

UK Economy Contracts; Lloyds Annual Loss Widens

Arthi Gupta
24 Feb, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes edged higher after gross domestic product contracted 0.2% and business investment declined in the fourth quarter. The UK services index rose in December.

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