Market Update

Japan Stocks in 4-day Rally; Sharp Increase in Capital Spending

Nigel Thomas
01 Jul, 2011
New York City

The benchmark index in Tokyo extended gains for the fourth day and added 2% in the week. The latest survey of capital spending showed a sharp jump and large companies are planning to increase capital spending by 4.2% in the current fiscal year. Japan launched electricity conservation campaign.

European Indexes Higher; General Mills Acquires Yoplait

Arthi Gupta
01 Jul, 2011
New York City

The European indexes rose after the Greek parliament approved privatization plan demanded by foreign lenders. General Mills completed acquisition of Yoplait for $1.2 billion. KBC Group finalized Centea sale for

Australian Stocks Rest on China Manufacturing Slow Down

Marcus Jacob
01 Jul, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks traded lower after rallying for two days in a row. For the week the benchmark index ASX 200 gained 1.84%. Australian dollar hovered near recent high. Suncorp guided better than expected insurance margin and Downer EDI gained after it delivered first train to NSW government.

U.S. Indexes Gain 1% as QE2 Ends; Greek Worries Ease for Now

Bikram Pandey
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks closed higher on the last day of the second quarter. The day also marks the end of second round of easy monetary policy that lasted seven months. The controversial QE2 program lifted stocks by 26%, gold by 22% and the dollar declined 10%. For the year the S&P 500 index gained 4.9%.

U.S. Movers: Constellation Brands, GenCorp, McCormick, News Corp

Mukesh Buch
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

Constellation Brands first quarter net income surged 52% to $74.5 million. News Corp sold Myspace for $35 million and may have lost as much as $1 billion since acquisition six years. McCormick second quarter net income grew to $73.6 million.

Public Sector Strike Paralyzes UK; Lloyds Surges 9%

Arthi Gupta
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes rose after home prices remained flat and consumer confidence dropped in June. Lloyds surged 9% after it proposed to cut 15,000 jobs to deliver

U.S. Indexes in 4-day Rally on Lower Jobless Claims

Arthi Gupta
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes traded higher after weekly jobless claims fell 1,000 and pending home sales increased in May. News Corp sold Myspace for $35 million to Specific Media. CA Inc agreed to acquire Interactive TKO for $330 million.

Euro Area Inflation at 2.7%; French Debt to GDP at 84.5%

Arthi Gupta
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

Euro area inflation remained flat at 2.7% in June. German jobless rate declined in June. French producer prices rose less than estimated in May. Hungary surplus improved and Denmark GDP contracted in the first quarter.

European Indexes Gain; AkzoNobel to Buy Schramm

Arthi Gupta
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

The European indexes extended gains after the Greek parliament approved the austerity measures. AkzoNobel planned to acquire Schramm Holding for

Japan in 3-day Rally; Nuclear Power Plant Restart Talks

Nigel Thomas
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

Stocks in Japan gained for the third day in a row on the expectation of faster improvement in supply chain and manufacturing output. Utilities gained on the talks of restarting at least one nuclear power plant. The Nikkei declined 0.4% in the first half.

Australian Index Soars 7% in the First Half; Dollar at 26-year High

Marcus Jacob
30 Jun, 2011
New York City

The Australian stocks scaled higher after Greece approved deeply unpopular austerity measures. The benchmark index soared 7% in the first half of the year as mining companies led gainers. Insurance Australia Group estimated margins between 8% and 10% in the current year.

U.S. Stocks in 3-day Gains; Visa, MasterCard Soar

Bikram Pandey
29 Jun, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes extended gains for the third day in a row as investors looked beyond Greek austerity vote. The euro gained and crude oil and metals advanced. Visa and MasterCard surged after the latest Fed proposal showed higher fees that retailers pay for debit card transactions.

Bank of America Sets Aside $14 Billion for Mortgage Securities Charges

Arjun Dave
29 Jun, 2011
New York City

Bank of America agreed to pay between $8.5 billion and $9.1 billion for losses linked to mortgage securities that were sold between 2004 and 2008. The bank also guided second quarter net income between $3.2 billion and $3.7 billion.

U.S. Movers: BJ

Mukesh Buch
29 Jun, 2011
New York City

BJ

UK Indexes Gain 1.3%; Mortgage Approvals Rise

Arthi Gupta
29 Jun, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes extended gains after the Greek parliament approved austerity measures. UK services index edged up in April. Mortgage approvals in the UK rose but M4 money supply declined in May. Irish unemployment increased to 14.2% in June.