Market Update

U.S. Mortgage Applications Up 4.1%; Dell Net Soars 63%

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes gained after mortgage applications rose 4.1% and producer price index climbed 0.2% in July. General Dynamics agreed to acquire Vangent for approximately $960 million. Abercrombie & Fitch net surged 64% in the quarter.

U.S. Movers: Agilent, Dick

Mukesh Buch
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

Agilent third quarter net income soared 61% to $330 million. Saks second quarter net loss narrowed 1.2% to $8.4 million. Home Depot second quarter net earnings increased 14.3% to $1.4 billion. Wal-Mart second quarter net income increased 5.7% to $3.80 billion.

Euro-zone Inflation at 2.5%; Swedish Home Prices Up 1%

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2011
New York City

Euro area inflation eased to 2.5%, Swedish home prices rose, and Austria annual inflation climbed in July. Euro-zone and Italy current account deficit widened in June. Iceland hiked rates by 25 basis points to 4.50%.

European Indexes Mixed; Hochtief Net Plunges 74%, Carlsberg Net Falls 22%

Arthi Gupta
17 Aug, 2011
New York City

European indexes traded sideways after a disappointing meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. SNB intensified measures against rising Swiss franc. Hochtief net plunged 74% impacted by issues at its Australian subsidiary Leighton.

Australian Stocks Turn Lower; Commonwealth Bank, OneSteel Down

Marcus Jacob
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks were on the defensive after companies announced job cuts and Commonwealth Bank reported weaker than expected earnings. Resources linked companies closed lower after. OneSteel net declined 11%.

UK Inflation at 4.4%; Home Prices Fall 2%; CRH Net Soars

Arthi Gupta
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes declined on weaker-than-estimated global economic data. The UK inflation rose 4.4% in July and home prices declined in June. Resolution first-half revenues rose and CRH net soared.

U.S. Housing Starts Fall 1.5%; Wal-Mart Net Up 5.7%

Arthi Gupta
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes traded sideways after housing starts fell and import prices recovered in July. The World Bank warned that depleting food stocks and high inflation are cause for concern. Cargill planned to acquire Provimi for

Euro Area Growth Nearly Halts; Dutch Retail Sales Flat

Arthi Gupta
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

The euro area economic growth eased more than estimated in the second quarter. Euro-zone trade surplus widened, Dutch retail sales remained unchanged and Spanish industrial new orders growth slackened in June. Swedish jobless rate increased in July.

European Indexes Slump; Deutsche Wohnen, United Internet Down

Arthi Gupta
16 Aug, 2011
New York City

European indexes slumped after euro area economic growth slowed more than estimated in the second quarter. German and French leaders will meet today in Paris to discuss the euro area debt crisis. AEGON decided to sell its UK-based Guardian life and pension business to Cinven for

U.S. Indexes in 3-day Rally; Google, Apple Rivalry Heats Up

Bikram Pandey
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

Indexes rallied on the first day of this week after $15 billion of deals and the markets in Europe were also calm ahead of the meeting between the leaders of France nd Germany. Gold added 1.4% and crude oil jumped 3%.

U.S. Movers: Bank of America, Google, Lowe's, Sysco, Time Warner, Grainger

Mukesh Buch
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

Bank of America agree to sell its credit card business to TD Bank for $8.6 billion. Google agreed to acquire Motorola Mobility at 64% premium for $12.5 billion. Lowe''s second quarter net earnings declined 0.2% to $830 million. Time Warner will acquire Insight Communications for $3 billion in cash.

UK Indexes Rebound 0.9%; Weaker Employment Outlook

Arthi Gupta
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes gained nearly 1% on the first day of trading after a week of wild swings. Home prices in the UK fell for the second month in a row in August. Spectris agreed to acquire U.S.-based Omega Engineering for

Google to Buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion, Time Warner in $3 B Deal

Arthi Gupta
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes rose after Japanese economy contracted much less than estimated. Google agreed to acquire Motorola Mobility in $12.5 billion deal. Time Warner Cable agreed to buy Insight for $3 billion. National Oilwell Varco signed $1.5 billion deal with Brazil-based Estaleiro Atlantico Sul.

Nikkei Advances 1.4% on 0.3% Decline in GDP

Nigel Thomas
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan surged the most in six weeks after the government said the economy shrank at a slower pace than expected in the latest quarter. Exporters and auto makers gained after finance ministry indicated more steps to weaken the yen.

German Factory Employment Rises; Hungarian Construction Slumps

Arthi Gupta
15 Aug, 2011
New York City

German factory employment climbed but Swedish industrial output fell in June. Denmark factory prices rose, Czech producer price inflation eased, and Swiss producer and import price index declined in July.