Market Update

UK Indexes Rise 1.6%, Home Prices Fall; Aviva, Taylor Wimpey Net Up

Arthi Gupta
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes rebounded after oil prices declined. The UK home prices fell and service sector growth slowed in February. Irish service sector activity improved in February. The UK government approved News Corp.''s merger with BskyB. Japan-based Itochu agreed to acquire Kwik-Fit for

Euro Area GDP Expands 0.3%, ECB Holds Rates; Carrefour, GDF Suez Net Up

Arthi Gupta
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

The European indexes soared after the ECB retained key rate; European service sector activity showed mixed trends and retail sales improved. Spanish consumer confidence rose in February. Total agreed to acquire minority stake in Russia-based Novatek for $4 billion.

U.S. Indexes Turn Higher on Jobless Claims; AIG Sells Met Life Stake

Arthi Gupta
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes gained after crude oil prices eased for the first time in three days. AIG raised $9.6 billion from sale of MetLife stake.

India Inflation Declines; Auto, Cement Sales Rise

Devan Biswas
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

Mumbai stocks edged up in a choppy trading as auto sales and two-wheelers sales rise. Bajaj Auto and Hero Honda report sharp gain in unit sales. Cement companies gained after ACC and UltraTech reported higher shipments in February. The latest wholesale price index showed a slight decline.

China Targets 7% Growth, Inflation Worries

Devan Biswas
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Shanghai edged lower ahead of plenary meeting this week and approve several economic projects. China has targeted 7% economic growth in the period between 2011 and 2015. China said former Railways Minster Liu is under bribery investigation. Airlines declined.

Nikkei in Japan Up 0.9%, Panasonic Completes $6 Billion Bond Offering

Nigel Thomas
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan closed higher on positive U.S. economic data. Panasonic completed the sale of $6 billion bond offering, the largest offering from a non-financial Japanese company. Exporters and automakers led the gainers in Tokyo trading.

Australian Home Construction Approvals Fall 15.9%; Trade Surplus Narrows

Marcus Jacob
03 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Australia edged higher in a quiet trading. Resource and healthcare stocks led the gainers in trading. Australian trade surplus in January narrowed to $1.88 billion and home construction approvals fell 15.9%.

Jobs Data Lift U.S. Stocks, Lawmakers Postpone Shutdown

Bikram Pandey
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks traded higher and U.S. lawmakers approve temporary spending bill that will trim budget by $4 billon. A private survey indicated U.S. companies added more jobs in February. Crude oil gained as unrest in Middle East escalates. Spain

UK Construction Rebounds; BBA Aviation Plummets, ITV Surges

Arthi Gupta
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes slid as tensions in the Middle East and Africa escalate and crude oil futures surge. The UK construction PMI rose in February. Whitbread agreed to buy Coffee Nation for

U.S. Movers: BJ

Mukesh Buch
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

BJ

Euro Area PPI Soars; Adidas Profit Plunges 63%, Daimler Falls

Arthi Gupta
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

The European indexes fell after U.S. crude touched the $100 a barrel mark. Euro area producer price index rose 1.5% in January, Spanish jobless claims soared in February and Swedish current account surplus rose in the fourth quarter. Polish central bank retained key rate at 3.75%.

U.S. Refinance Activity Drops 6.5%; GM, Toyota Lead Auto Sales

Arthi Gupta
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes traded sideways as unrest in Middle East escalates. U.S. mortgage applications dropped 6.5%. NetJets ordered 120 Bombardier aircrafts in a deal valued over $6.7 billion. PPL agreed to acquire E.ON''s UK distribution business for $6.4 billion. Costco quarterly sales and earnings rose.

Hang Seng Drops 1.4%; China Railways Halts Libya Projects

123jump.com Staff
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

Stocks in China edged lower after rising for four days in a row and the benchmark Hang Seng index fell 1.4%. Airlines and property developers declined and cement makers fell after rising for two days. China Railway Construction dropped after it halted three construction projects.

Nikkei in Japan Drops 2.4%; Japan Passes $1.1 Trillion Budget

Nigel Thomas
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

The benchmark index Nikkei declined 2.4% as crude oil surged and the lower house of Japan passed $1.1 trillion budget. The yen strengthened. Exporters and automakers led the decliners.

Australian GDP Expands 0.7%; Stocks Fall on Middle East Worries

Marcus Jacob
02 Mar, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks closed lower after oil and gold surged and unrest spread in Iran. Fighting continued in Libya and protesters returned to streets in Yemen and Oman. Australian GDP expanded 0.7% in the fourth quarter and increased 2.7% in 2010.