Market Update

UK Indexes Rise on Resource Stocks; Xstrata, Cairn, Yell Up

Marcus Jacob
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

The UK benchmark index increased 0.9% tracking the gains in commodities and world market sentiment. Cairn Energy Plc said it is likely to complete the sale of its India unit as early as end of March. Randgold Resources net surges.

European Markets Lead Higher; Adidas, SolarWorld Up, Julius Baer Down

Nigel Thomas
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

European markets closed higher as commodities perk up and merger deals of more than $20 billion in the U.S. bolstered trading sentiment. Adidas AG gained after its chief made positive comments and predicted one billion euros sales in China this year. SolarWorld AG rose after earnings rose 26%.

U.S. Indexes Edge Higher; Danaher, Beckman Coulter in $6.8 Billion Deal

Bikram Pandey
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks inched higher as merger deals of more than $13 billion were announced. Danaher agreed to acquire Beckman Coulter for $6.8 billion and Chesapeake Energy said it will sell its Fayetteville shale asset for $5 billion. AOL agreed to pay $315 million for the blogger The Huffington Post.

AOL Bets on Huffington Post for $315 Million

Bikram Pandey
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

AOL in a largest deal since its separation from Time Warner in 2009 agreed to pay $315 million for the Huffington Post. Co-founder Arianna Huffington will retain editorial control and MapQuest and MovieFone and AOL

India Estimates 8.6% Economic Growth; Inflation Worries

Devan Biswas
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Mumbai closed higher after the government confirmed the current fiscal year economic growth of 8.6%. The higher growth also comes with a sharp rise in current account deficit and a surge in inflation to above 8%. Cipla third quarter net declined 20%. Suzlon swung to quarterly loss.

India Movers: Piramal Life Sciences, Cipla, Hindustan Copper and Suzlon

Mukesh Buch
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

Aurobindo Pharma declined 1.2% and net profit rose 9.8%. Borosil increased 1.3% after third quarter net profit surged three-fold. Cipla plunged 3% after quarterly profit declined 20%. Eicher Motors rose 1% after net profit more than doubled. Suzlon Energy gained 3.5 on lower than expected loss.

Nikkei in Tokyo Advances; Sega Net Up, Credit Saison Lifts Outlook

Nigel Thomas
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan closed higher after the U.S. unemployment rate declined. Exporters led the gainers. Sega Sammy added 3% after nine-month income more than doubled and Credit Saison 9% after it lifted full year earnings estimate.

Australian Retail Sales Rise 0.2%; Myer Drops 11.5%

Marcus Jacob
07 Feb, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks closed higher despite the weakness in retailers. Australian retail sales rose 0.2% in December and Myer estimated full year profit to declined 5%. JB Hi-Fi rose on the expectation of better second half earnings. Miners and energy companies declined tracking international prices.

Weak U.S. Jobs, Egypt and Euro Worries Hobble World Markets

Bikram Pandey
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks struggled after the jobs report showed weaker than expected increase in private sector and earnings rose at select companies. Middle East tensions also weighed on commodities. Markets in Japan and Australia rebounded and in Europe lost early momentum.

UK Home Prices Up 0.8%; Rolls Royce, Supergroup, easyJet Rise

Nigel Thomas
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

UK stocks closed higher and two separate reports indicated diverging views on the real estate market. Halifax survey indicated prices rose 0.8% in January and Knight Frank estimated decline in residential land prices in the year. Supergroup, Rolls Royce, French Connection and easyJet closed higher.

U.S. Movers: Aetna, Las Vegas, Dolby Labs, JDS Uniphase

Mukesh Buch
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

Aetna fourth quarter revenue fell 2% to $8.54 billion. Aon fourth quarter revenue surged 40% to $2.91 billion. Las Vegas Sands fourth quarter net revenue increased 56.9% to $2.02 billion. Merck & Co. fourth quarter net revenue increased 20% to $12.09 billion.

Merkel, Sarkozy Call European Summit; LVMH, Volvo Net Rise

Marcus Jacob
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

European indexes opened higher but struggled near close. German Chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy proposed a meeting of 17 European nations to harmonize tax structure and delink wages from inflation and rationalize bank lending rules. LVMH and AB Volvo net surge.

U.S. Indexes Struggle, Jobless Rate Falls to 9%

Bikram Pandey
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks traded sideways after unemployment rate declined to 9% in January from 9.4% in December. The increase was smaller than expected. Long term unemployment was 13.9 million and revised 909,000 jobs were created in 2010. Las Vegas swings to quarterly net profit.

Nikkei Surges 1.1% on Steel Merger; Mitsubishi Estate Up

Nigel Thomas
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan surged on the merger announcement between Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metals Industries. Mitsubishi Estate Co said nine month net increased on sales rise of 0.8%. Nikkei index rose 1.1% today and gained 1.8% in the week.

Sensex In India Plunges 2.4%; Telecom Spectrum Investigation Fallout

Devan Biswas
04 Feb, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Mumbai dropped sharply and Prime Minister Singh noted inflation may derail India