Market Update

Euro Area Output Improves; Greek Jobless Rate at 21.8%

Arthi Gupta
12 Apr, 2012
New York City

Industrial production in the euro area and Spanish leading economic index rose in February. Greek jobless rate jumped to a record high of 21.8% in January. Inflation in France increased but in Portugal slowed to 7-month low in March.

European Indexes Sideways; Italian Yields Higher

Arthi Gupta
12 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European indexes traded sideways after Italy sold

Nikkei in Tokyo Rebounds; Yen Firm Ahead of North Korean Rocket Launch

Marcus Jacob
12 Apr, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Japan halted seven day decline and the yen held firm ahead of the long-range rocket launch from North Korea. Sony and Sharp were in focus for the second day after the revised loss estimates. Freight shipping companies fell on the prospect of lost revenues linked to Iranian oil shipments.

Australia Halts 4-Day Losing Streak; Seven Group Up

Marcus Jacob
12 Apr, 2012
New York City

Stocks and indexes in Australian gained after employers added 44,000 net new jobs in March. The quarterly job addition of 76,000 was the best since the final quarter of 2010. Seven Group agreed to acquire equipment distribution business of the U.S. based Bucyrus.

Wall Street Turns Higher; Natural Gas Price Drops to New Low

Bikram Pandey
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes halted a losing streak of five days after Alcoa Inc reported better than expected earnings. Home builders surged on the expectations of higher earnings and banks gained ahead of earnings. Natural gas prices fell below $2 mark for the first time since January 2002.

UK Retail Sales Rise; Barclays CEO Pay Under Scrutiny

Arthi Gupta
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes closed higher led by mining and banking stocks. UK retail sales and Irish construction activity and sentiment climbed in March. Barclays was in focus of excessive chief executive pay.

U.S. Movers: Alcoa, Adtran, Computer Science, Progressive Corp.

Mukesh Buch
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

Alcoa Inc reported better than expected quarterly profit and reaffirmed global demand for aluminum to grow 7% in 2012. Adtran first quarter net tumbled to $13 million. Progressive Corp. first quarter net dropped 29% to $257.6 million. Titan Machinery fourth quarter revenue surged 65%.

U.S. Import Prices Rise; Stocks Rebound Sharply

Arthi Gupta
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes reversed to gains on Wednesday and import prices rose more than estimated in March. Alcoa quarterly net plunged 69% but surprised investors with a profit. Owens-Illinois jumped 10% after it lifted earnings outlook.

Spanish Output Slumps 5.1%; German Wholesale Prices Ease

Arthi Gupta
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

German wholesale price index and Hungarian annual inflation slowed in March. Spanish industrial output dropped and Estonian deficit widened in February.

German Bond Auction Falls Short; Nokia Plunges 17%

Arthi Gupta
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

The European indexes rebounded but German bond auction failed to meet expectations and bond yields of Spain and Italy fell. Germany raised

Nikkei Losses Total 6.2%; Machinery Orders Up 4.8%

Nigel Thomas
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

The benchmark Nikkei index in Tokyo extended losses for the seventh day totalling 6.2%. Machinery orders jumped in February and the yen strengthened. Bank lending rose in March as reconstruction drive loans demand.

Australian Stocks Look Down; Home Loan Approvals Decline

Marcus Jacob
11 Apr, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks drifted lower for the fourth day in a row as investors focused on the euro zone worries and coal prices continue to drift lower. BHP Billiton announced investment plan of $708 million for its Gulf of Mexico project in partnership with Chevron.

U.S. Indexes Extend Losses to Fifth Day on Euro Zone Worries

Bikram Pandey
10 Apr, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks fell for the fifth day in a row and indexes lost more than 1% today and extended losses to 4% in the period. Euro zone debt crisis resurfaced as yields surge to a high for the year. Best Buy Co said CEO Brian Dunn resigned and Sony Corp declared annual loss for the fourth year in a row.

UK Indexes Drop 2.2%; Leading Index Rises

Arthi Gupta
10 Apr, 2012
New York City

The UK indexes declined more than 2% after the leading economic index for the UK rose but Irish manufacturing fell in February Home price balance for the UK improved in March.

U.S. Movers: Chesapeake, Patni Computer, PPL, Supervalu, Sony

Mukesh Buch
10 Apr, 2012
New York City

Chesapeake Energy made three separate deals totaling $2.6 billion. Patni Computer first quarter net declined 11.8% to $237 million. PPL to offer 9.9 million shares public offering. Supervalu fourth quarter net loss swung to $424 million. Sony forecast lower sales for fiscal year end March 2012.