Market Update

Nikkei Gyrates; Tepco Drops 18%, Tokyo Gas Rises 4%

Nigel Thomas
28 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo resumed their slide for the third week in a row as Tokyo Electric Power struggled to contain radiation leak. Tokyo Gas soared 4% after it lifted earnings estimate for the current year. Automakers and D-RAM makers were in focus on the supply chain worries.

Record in Australian Dollar; Sigma Narrows Loss

Marcus Jacob
28 Mar, 2011
New York City

Australian dollar gained to a new post-float high as foreign investment pours in. The Australian dollar traded as high as $1.03 before settling at $1.029. Sigma Pharmaceuticals said its full-year net loss halved.

U.S. Stocks Look Beyond Global Worries

Bikram Pandey
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks extended gains for the sixth day on earnings optimism and improving economic outlook. The fourth quarter GDP was revised to 3.1% but consumer sentiment worsened on the rising energy prices. Unemployment in 27 states fell in February and California led the nation in employment increase.

UK Stocks Higher; BP Drops, African Barrick Gold Up 2%

Marcus Jacob
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

UK stocks edged higher and closed up 3.2% in the week. BP plc lost an arbitration ruling against its Russian partner in a venture TNK-BP. African Barrick Gold soared 2% after it discover more gold in Tanzania.

U.S. GDP Revised to 3.1%; Oracle, Accenture Shine

Bikram Pandey
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks showed modest gains after fourth quarter GDP was revised to 3.1% and consumer sentiment index was lower than expected. Oracle reported sharply higher earnings and Wynn Resorts strikes a deal with online poker site. Accenture reported better than expected outlook.

European Markets Sideways, Russia Rates on Hold; SAP Up, TF1 Down

Bikram Pandey
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

European markets traded mixed as the EU leaders cut the startup capital for aid fund but set higher target for capital to 600 billion by June. Portugal political and economic crisis deepens and the nation faces a snap election as early as June. Russia holds key rate. SAP AG and L

German Demand Cuts EU Aid Fund, Portugal Crisis Advances

Arjun Dave
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

European leaders haggle to increase the bailout out fund size and Germany asked to limit contribution as the nation faces a regional election. Portugal slips into a deeper crisis as snap election looms as early as June.

Sensex Soars 2.3%; Infosys, TCS, Financial Tech Lead Gainers

Devan Biswas
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

The Sensex index in Mumbai trading soared 2.3% and for the week added 5.2%. The positive earnings outlook and improving sentiment in world markets emboldened investors. Software exporters led gainers after the industry sought tax relief. Financial Technologies plans to list its commodities exchange.

Foreigners Increase Net Purchase of Japanese Stocks; Nikkei Up 1.1%

Nigel Thomas
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan rebounded on Friday 1.1% and for the week 3.6% as foreign investors increase their net purchase to the record last seen seven years ago. Automakers plan to increase more output but remain quiet with the parts situation. The rebound lifted construction related stocks.

Australian Indexes Jump 1%, BHP Announced $13 Billion Expansion

Marcus Jacob
25 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Australia jumped 1% for the second day in a row as miners and resource companies led the gainers. BHP Billiton detailed $13 billion investment plan that will expand capacity of iron ore and energy coal operations. QR Nation plans to spend $185 million to expand its Goonyella network.

World, U.S. Markets in 6-day Rally; Record in Gold, Silver

Bikram Pandey
24 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks edged higher after mixed economic data and positive earnings in tech sector lifted the sentiment. Portuguese crisis complicates EU bailout plan. Commodities rose and crude oil extended gains. Gold and silver traded at a new intra-day three-decade high.

U.S. Movers: Best Buy, GameStop, Paychex, Red Hat, Scholastic, Talbots

Mukesh Buch
24 Mar, 2011
New York City

Best Buy fourth quarter net earnings fell to $651 million. ConAgra third quarter net income fell 6.4% to $214.8 million. Paychex quarterly net income rose 17% to $130.6 million. Red Hat fourth quarter net income grew to $33.5 million. SAIC fourth quarter net income rose to $132 million.

UK Retail Sales Fall, Irish Economy Shrinks; Next Surges 5%

Arthi Gupta
24 Mar, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes gained and retail sales fell more than estimated in February. Irish economy contracted in the fourth quarter. Afren agreed to buy stake in Tanga Block from Petrodel. Kingfisher and Next soared after improved fiscal year 2010 performance.

Sensex 3-day Rally in India; Elevated Wholesale Inflation

Devan Biswas
24 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Mumbai traded higher for the third day despite the latest read on inflation showed an increase and crude oil price surged for the fifth week in a row. Investors are factoring higher earnings from banks, infrastructure and software exporters.

U.S. Jobless Claims Drop 5,000; Durable Orders Decline 0.9%

Arthi Gupta
24 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes fell after weekly jobless claims fell 5,000 to 382,000 and durable goods orders declined more than estimated in February. Nordstrom purchased HauteLook for $180 million. Walgreen agreed to acquire drugstore.com for about $409 million.