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Aetna to Acquire Coventry Health, Kinder Morgan in $1.8 B Deal

Arthi Gupta
20 Aug, 2012
New York City

On merger Monday, Aetna agreed to acquire Coventry Health Care for $7.3 billion, including debt. FMC agreed to buy Pure Energy Services for $285 million. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners agreed to sell its Rockies assets for $3.3 billion.

Euro Zone Output Falls, UK Home Prices Slump

Arthi Gupta
20 Aug, 2012
New York City

The European indexes rose and the ECB may set yield limits for sovereign bonds. Construction output in the euro zone fell in June. UK home prices slumped in August. Heineken raised its offer to acquire Fraser & Neave''s stake in Asia Pacific Breweries.

Sixth Weekly Rise on Wall Street; Records in Facebook and Apple

Bikram Pandey
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes extended gains for the sixth week in a row on improving consumer confidence and economic conditions. S&P 500 index is up 12.8% in the year and the Nasdaq Composite is up 17%. Facebook, Groupon and Zynga dropped to new lows after more stocks are available for trading.

Nikkei in Second Weekly Rise of 3%, Japan Tobacco, Tokyo Steel in Focus

Nigel Thomas
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

The Nikkei index gained more than 3% for the second week in a row after investors covered short positions and the yen weakened. Japan Tobacco was volatile for the third day in a row after China proposed tobacco advertising ban and higher taxes.

Australian Stocks Advance; QBE Plunges 5%, ANZ Up 3%

Marcus Jacob
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

Australian markets indexes surged 0.9% on stronger local earnings and improving sentiment in the euro zone. ANZ reported first half profit increased 9%. QBE net surged but stock dropped on weaker outlook in the U.S.

U.S. Movers: Ann, Foot Locker, Hibbett Sports, Smucker, Gap

Mukesh Buch
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

Ann second quarter net climbed 24% and Foot Locker net jumped 60%. Hibbett Sports net surged 33%. Marvell Technology third quarter net plummeted 52% to $93.1 million and J. M. Smucker net slid. Gap second quarter net soared 29% to $243 million.

Morning Optimism on Wall Street, Illinois Tools in $1.1 B Deal

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

U.S. and global indexes traded higher after comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Illinois Tool Works agreed to divest a 51% stake in its unit for $1.1 billion. Foot Locker net soared in the second quarter.

Europe Movers: Lonmin, Nokia, Swiss Life, Rio Tinto

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

Swiss Life first-half profit from operations rose 17% driven by operational advances and a strong investment result. Nokia planned to integrate social games from Zynga in the third quarter.

Merkel Appears to Support Bond Buying, Trade Surplus Rises

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2012
New York City

The European indexes gained on positive comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Euro zone current account and trade surplus rose in June. German producer price inflation eased to a two-year low in July. Swiss Life first-half profit from operations rose 17%.

Stocks Up on Improving U.S. Economy Data, Facebook Falls 6%

Bikram Pandey
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

The latest read on housing market and jobless claims added to the string of improving U.S. economic data. Stocks were higher after the largest networking equipment maker Cisco reported better than expected earnings Facebook extended the loss to a 60% plunge from the IPO price.

Nikkei Surges 1.9% as Yen Falls on Jiabao's Comments

Nigel Thomas
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Japan gained and the benchmark index Nikkei closed at a 6-week high after the yen fell. Comments from Chinese premier and the weakness in the yen prompted a sharp reversal in exports linked companies.

Wesfarmers, AMP Earnings Lift Australian Indexes 1%

Marcus Jacob
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks surged after the latest batch of earnings lifted sentiment. Coles supermarket division of Wesfarmers reported a surge in sales and earnings. Wealth manager AMP reported 7% increase in first half sales. However, the exchange operator ASX said annual net declined 4%.

U.S. Movers 2: Dollar Tree, Perrigo, Ross Stores, Cato, Sears, Wal-Mart

Sarla Buch
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

Dollar Tree second quarter net climbed 26% and Perrigo fourth quarter net jumped 27%. Ross Stores second quarter net soared 23% and Sears Holdings net loss narrowed. Wal-Mart second quarter climbed 5.7% to $4.02 billion.

U.S. Movers: Applied Materials, Agilent, Cisco, Limited Brands, NetApp

Mukesh Buch
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

Applied Materials third quarter net plunge 54.2% and estimated current quarter sales to fall below estimate. Agilent net fell 26%. Cisco fourth quarter net soared 56% to $1.92 billion. Limited Brands second quarter net dropped 37.9% and NetApp net tumbled 54.3%.

U.S. Housing Starts Drop, Weekly Jobless Claims Rise

Arthi Gupta
16 Aug, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes rose on positive comments from the Chinese premier. New housing construction in the U.S. fell but weekly jobless claims edged higher in July. Cisco net surged 55.6% in the fourth quarter.

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