Market Update

UK Panel Finds Rupert Murdoch Unfit, BP Net Down 18%

Arthi Gupta
01 May, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes advanced after manufacturing activity eased but Irish manufacturing dropped in April. The UK parliament panel found News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch unfit to run large multinational company. BP quarterly earnings fell 18%.

Nikkei Down 1.8%; Mitsubishi, Mitsui Pay $2 Billion for LNG Field in Australia

Nigel Thomas
01 May, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Japan dropped in thin trading after the yen strengthened. Exporters and automakers were among the leading decliners. Mitsubishi and Mitsui agreed to take the stake in Western Australia based natural gas field for $2 billion.

U.S. Indexes Sideways, PF Chang

Arthi Gupta
01 May, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes traded sideways ahead of the manufacturing data. Mitsubishi and Mitsui agreed to buy minority stake in Australian LNG project for $2 billion. P.F. Chang''s China Bistro agrees to a leverage buyout deal of $1.1 billion.

Australian Banks Defy Latest RBA Rate Cut, Stocks Up

Marcus Jacob
01 May, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks gained after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates by 50 basis points. The market rally was short lived after large banks failed to follow the move. Rupert Murdoch was deemed unfit to run UK newspaper business. Woodside sold a stake in its $2 billion Browse LNG field.

U.S. Indexes Decline in April, World Markets Struggle

Bikram Pandey
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks eased after Spain joined the UK and entered recession for the second time since 2009 and the U.S. business activities expanded at the slowest pace in April in three years. The benchmark S&P 500 index fell 0.8%, first decline after four months of gains.

U.S. Movers: CNA Financial, Humana, Hologic, Loews, NYSE, Barnes & Noble

Mukesh Buch
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

CNA Financial first quarter net slumped 3% to $367 million. Energy Transfer agreed to acquire Sunoco for $5.3 billion. Barnes & Noble soared on Microsoft investment. Humana first quarter net declined 21% to $248 million. Hologic acquired Gen-Probe for about $3.7 billion.

UK Home Prices Ease, Aberdeen Asset Management Revenues Up 7%

Arthi Gupta
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes fell after home prices eased in April. Irish loans to households dropped in March. Aberdeen first-half revenue rose 7% to

U.S. Personal Income Rises; Sunoco, Energy Transfer in $5.3 B Deal

Arthi Gupta
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes gained after personal income and consumer spending rose in March. On the deal front, Energy Transfer agreed to acquire Sunoco for $5.3 billion and Hologic said it agreed to buy Gen-Probe for approximately $3.7 billion.

Euro Area Inflation at 2.6%, German Retail Sales Rebound

Arthi Gupta
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

Euro-zone inflation eased to 2.6% in April. The euro area M3 growth jumped to 3.2% and German retail sales rebounded in March. The Spanish economy contracted in the second quarter and the Swiss central bank swung to loss in the first quarter.

Australian New Home Sales Plunge 9.4%, Spotless Agrees to Buyout

Marcus Jacob
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks gained after copper prices edged up but trading was subdued as markets were closed in Japan and in mainland China. New home sales dropped 9.4% in March and home sales dropped across all states as buyers stay away from record high sale prices.

Spain in Recession; adidas, Anheuser-Busch Up on Earnings

Arthi Gupta
30 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European market indexes traded directionless as many stayed away for a long weekend. Spain slipped back into a double-dip recession after the economy contracted in the first quarter. adidas raised its fiscal 2012 outlook after strong quarterly performance.

Second Weekly Gains in U.S. Index, Earnings, Confidence Drives Rally

Bikram Pandey
27 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. markets closed higher and closed up for the second week in a row after investors focused on improved consumer confidence and better than expected earnings. Bank of Japan expanded its programs to buy stocks and real estate securities and bond yields rose in Europe but in fell in New York.

U.S. Movers: Amazon.com, Chevron, Ford, Merck & Co., P&G, Starbucks

Mukesh Buch
27 Apr, 2012
New York City

Amazon first quarter net declined 35% and Kindle stores boost the revenue. Chevron first quarter net rose 4.2% to $6.47 billion. Ford Motor first quarter net plunged 45%. P&G third quarter net slumped 16% to $2.41 billion. Starbucks second quarter net rose 18.5% to $309.9 million.

U.S. GDP Growth Rate Drops to 2.2%, Amazon Net Falls 35%

Arthi Gupta
27 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes traded sideways after economy expanded less than estimated in the first quarter. Intuit agreed to acquire Demandforce for $423.5 million and Wells Fargo plans to buy Merlin Securities.

Bank of Japan Expanded Risky Asset Purchase Program, Softbank Up

Nigel Thomas
27 Apr, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo closed down after an early rally faded. Bank of Japan expanded its risky asset purchase program by $124 billion as anticipated. Softbank surged more than 3% after it hiked dividend and reported a surge in operating profit.