Market Update

German Output Falls 2.9%; French Deficit Inches Higher

Arthi Gupta
07 Feb, 2012
New York City

German production declined, Norwegian manufacturing production rose and French trade deficit increased in December. Swiss foreign exchange reserves drop and Swedish deficit was higher than expected in January.

Australian Rates on Hold at 4.25%, Record Aussie Dollar

Marcus Jacob
07 Feb, 2012
New York City

Reserve Bank of Australia left its key lending rate on hold as the mining sector revs up spending and inflation remains within the target range. The Australian dollar rose to a record high against the euro and 27-year high against the UK pound. Cochlear jumped on lower than expected annual loss.

World Stocks Gyrate With Greece and Iran in Focus

Bikram Pandey
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks edged lower in a cautious trading as politicians in Europe struggle to devise Greek debt restructuring. President Barack Obama ordered a freeze on all assets controlled by Iranian government and financial institutions. Oil fell a fraction.

U.S. Stocks Fall, Euro Weakens; Verizon in Video Venture

Nichole Harper
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. index declined after Greek negotiations worries overwhelmed earnings reports. Fidelity National offered to acquire casual restaurant chain O

Greek Negotiations Drag on Labor Reforms; Xstrata, Glencore Merger Talks

Devan Biswas
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

European markets eased as all eyes were focused on the Greek negotiations. Political leaders of France and Germany pressed Athens for quick actions and said time is running out as Greek politicians held firm on labor reforms. Xstrata and Glencore are expected to announce a deal as early as tomorrow.

U.S. Movers: CNA Financial, Humana, Loews, Sysco, Towers Watson

Mukesh Buch
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

CNA Financial fourth quarter net declined 37% to $190 million and Humana fourth quarter net surged 86% to $199 million. HCA Holdings fourth quarter net surged to $1.94 billion. Loews fourth quarter net dropped to $268 million. Sysco second quarter net slipped to $250.1 million.

Nikkei in Tokyo Gains 1.1%; Nikon, Toyota, Panasonic Rise

Nigel Thomas
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo trading gained despite the weak domestic earnings outlook and on the hopes of stronger earnings in the current calendar year. Nikon and Panasonic jumped. Investors digested the decline in the U.S. unemployment rate and another delay in finalizing the Greek debt restructuring.

Australian Retail Sales Growth Slows to 2.4%; Spotless, Perpetual in Focus

Marcus Jacob
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

Australian retail sales increased 2.4% in 2011, the slowest annual pace in 27 years when record keeping began. Perpetual chief executive resigned and Spotless Group permitted Pacific Equity Partners to conduct due diligence.

Wall Street Rally Lifts Nasdaq to 11-year High

Bikram Pandey
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. markets rallied after the release of January jobless data. S&P 500 index gained 1.4% and the Nasdaq added 1.6%. For the week, the two leading indexes gained more than 2%. European markets advanced on the hopes that Greek talks will end this weekend.

Miners, Banks Lift European Indexes; Greek Bailout Cost Rises

Nichole Harper
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

European markets closed higher and advanced in the week as miners and bank led the gainers. Market sentiment was cautious after Greek bailout cost was raised by

U.S. Indexes Surge 1%, January Jobless Rate Decline to 8.3%

Devan Biswas
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. stocks surged after jobless rate fell in January to 8.3% and non-farm payrolls increased 243,000. The monthly unemployment rate fell for the fifth month in a row. Estee Lauder dropped 4% after it estimated lower than expected earnings.

U.S. Movers: Aon, Allergan, Cardinal Health, Estee Lauder, Tyson Foods

Mukesh Buch
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

Aon fourth quarter net increased to $277 million. Allergan fourth quarter net increased to $279.8 million. Atmel expects fourth quarter revenues to be dropped 20% to $384 million. Tyson Foods first quarter net slipped to $156 million.

Nikkei in Tokyo Down; Nippon Sheet Reports Loss, Sumco Cuts 15% Staff

Nigel Thomas
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

Japanese stocks declined after a set of weak earnings and uncertainty in the euro zone and ahead of the U.S. jobs report. Nippon Sheet Glass and Oji Paper declined weak quarterly performance. Sumco Cop soared after it announced to eliminate 15% of its staff.

Australian Services Expands in January

Marcus Jacob
03 Feb, 2012
New York City

Australian stocks edged lower and declined in the week for the first time this year. Commodities traded lower. The service sector index expanded at the fastest pace in five months in January. Magma Metals soared after it received a takeover bid from Panoramic Resources.

Wall Street Struggles, Bernanke Uncertain; Yields Drop

Devan Biswas
02 Feb, 2012
New York City

U.S. indexes struggled after Fed Chairman Bernanke expression frustration with the recovery and investors digested mixed earnings, January same store retail sales and lower weekly jobless claims. In Europe hopes were high for Greek debt restructuring and Spain raised more than targeted in debt sale.