Market Update

Euro Zone Retail Sales Improve; Spanish Output Falls

Arthi Gupta
05 Dec, 2011
New York City

Euro zone retail sales rebounded but Spanish industrial production fell in October. Euro area investor sentiment weakened in December and private sector economy contracted in November. Finland said gross domestic product rose 0.9% in the third quarter.

6-day Rally in Australian Stocks; Aston, Whitehaven Coal Talk Merger

Marcus Jacob
05 Dec, 2011
New York City

Australian indexes rallied for the sixth day and lifted gain in the period to 8%. Market sentiment was positive ahead of the RBA meeting tomorrow. Aston Resources confirmed merger talks with Whitehaven Coal. Aquila Resources won approval to build a rail line to transport iron ore in Pilbara region.

Italy Unveils

Arthi Gupta
05 Dec, 2011
New York City

European indexes edged higher after the Italian Prime Minister Monti announced a

Strongest Weekly Rally in World Markets Since 2009

Bikram Pandey
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks closed nearly unchanged in a week when broader indexes gained 7.4%. The unemployment rate declined to 8.6% after retailers and temporary staffing services added staff. World markets are increasingly factoring weakness in the euro zone for the next two quarters.

Japan Plans Fourth Extra Budget; Shippers Edge Lower

Nigel Thomas
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo trading extended gains in the week and the Nikkei index in the week added 5.9%. Shipping companies struggled for the third week in a row. Japanese government plans fourth additional budget in the current year.

U.S. Movers: Aeropostale, Costco, Guess, Movado, Synopsys, Talbots

Mukesh Buch
01 Dec, 2011
New York City

Costco net sales in November rose 11% to $7.5 billion. Guess third quarter net fell 4% to $66.3 million. Gildan Activewear third quarter net increased to $56.8 million. PVH third quarter increased rose to $112.2 million. Talbots said third quarter net loss of $22.04 million.

U.S. Movers: Big Lots, Lululemon, Ulta Salon, Royal Bank of Canada, Zumiez

Mukesh Buch
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

Big Lots third quarter net slipped to $4.2 million. Lululemon third quarter net increased to $38.8 million. Royal Bank of Canada fourth quarter net increased to $1.6 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia fourth quarter net increased to $1.24 billion.

UK Construction Slows; RBS Sells Pubs Business

Arthi Gupta
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes climbed more than 1% and extended nearly 9% in the last six days. The UK construction activity eased in November. SABMiller plans to acquire all of the shares in Foster''s Group.

U.S. Jobless Rate at 8.6%; Higher Chain Stores Sales

Arthi Gupta
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

The U.S. indexes traded higher after retailers reported better than expected comparable-store sales and jobless rate dropped to 8.6% in November. Rising retail sales and auto sales were yet another confirmation that consumers are ready to spend more.

Australian Banks Downgraded; Stocks in 5-day Rally

Marcus Jacob
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks gained for the fifth day in a row as commodities markets trade higher. Investors ignore the latest downgrade of the four largest banks in Australia. Rio Tinto plans to spend $3.3 billion to modernize its aluminum plant in British Columbia.

Euro Area PPI Eases; Fourth Monthly Rise in Spanish Unemployment

Arthi Gupta
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

Producer price inflation in the euro area eased and retail sales in Switzerland remained unchanged in October. Spanish unemployment rose for the fourth month in a row. Hungarian trade surplus was revised lower in September.

Merkel Seeks Deeper Fiscal Union; ThyssenKrupp Swings to Loss

Arthi Gupta
02 Dec, 2011
New York City

European indexes soared after German Chancellor Angela Merkel urges for tighter fiscal union. The French economy is estimated to grow 1% in 2012. Spanish jobless rate continues to rise in November. RBS agreed to sell its pub business to Heineken for

U.S., World Markets Rest After a 3-day Rally

Bikram Pandey
01 Dec, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks traded sideways after a 3-day rally that lifted indexes as much as 6%. Banks declined after Massachusetts sued five U.S. banks including Citigroup, Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Investors await payrolls data tomorrow.

UK Manufacturing Contracts; BP Sells Canadian Gas Unit

Arthi Gupta
01 Dec, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes pared gains after successful bond offerings from France and Spain but cautious comments from the ECB President. UK and Irish manufacturing output declined in November. The Bank of England urged banks to boost their capital levels.

Stocks in Japan Surge as BoJ Participates in Dollar Liquidity Swap

Nigel Thomas
01 Dec, 2011
New York City

The Nikkei index in Tokyo trading soared after Japanese central bank participated in a coordinated move with five other central banks to offer more dollar liquidity to the euro zone. Yamaha, the latest Japanese company, indicated it will resume production in a month in Thailand.