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Nikkei Drop of 0.5% Extends March Loss to 8.2%

Nigel Thomas
31 Mar, 2011
New York City

Japan

Australian Retail Sales Rise 0.5%; Buildings Approval Fall 7.4%

Marcus Jacob
31 Mar, 2011
New York City

Australian stocks closed higher after retail sales in February increased 2.3% from a year ago on a rise in department stores sales and food sales. However, home construction approvals declined 7.4% in February. Total credit to private sector increased 0.5% in February from banks.

The Dow, S&P Reach mid-2008 Highs; Nasdaq Nears 10-year Peak

Bikram Pandey
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced for the sixth day in last seven days of trading and crude oil eased. The Dow and the S&P 500 indexes are hovering near the highs last seen in mid-2008 and the tech heavy Nasdaq rose to the high last seen in November 207. China based Qihoo 360 doubled on the first day of trading.

U.S. Movers: Apollo Global, Cephalon, Family Dollar, Qihoo, Visa

Mukesh Buch
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

Cephalon received proposal from Valeant Pharmaceuticals valued approximately $5.7 billion. Family Dollar second quarter net income grew 9.8% to $123.18 million. Apollo Global Management declined on the first day of trading. Qihoo 360 Technology more than doubled on its debut.

UK Retail Sales, Services Index Climbs; Tullow in $2.9 Billion Deal

Arthi Gupta
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

The UK indexes edged higher after retail sales rose in March and services index climbed in January. Tullow sold one-third interest in Uganda oil field for $2.9 billion. Dixons plunged after lowering its earnings estimate for fiscal 2011.

U.S. Private Sector Adds Jobs, Mortgage Lending Falls

Arthi Gupta
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S. indexes gained after the private sector added 201,000 jobs in March and U.S. mortgage and refinancing activity fell. Canada-based Valeant proposed to acquire Cephalon for $5.7 billion. Salesforce.com agreed to buy Radian6 for $326 million.

European Indexes Rebound; Basler Up, Praktiker Down

Arthi Gupta
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

The European indexes soared after better-than-estimated global economic data. Sovereign debt worries were in focus but stocks in the region traded higher. Bilfinger Berger reported fiscal year 2010 net surged.

Euro Area Sentiment Dips; Spanish Inflation 3.6%, Retail Sales Drop 4.8%

Arthi Gupta
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

Euro-zone economic sentiment dipped in March. Dutch factory price inflation accelerated in February. The Bank of Spain forecasted 0.8% GDP growth in 2011. Spanish retail sales fell in February. Portuguese retail sales decreased and factory output rose in February.

Sensex Adds 0.8% to 7-day Rally, Silver Shines

Devan Biswas
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

Mumbai stocks surged for the seventh day in a row after foreign investors increased net stock purchase in the last one week and crude oil price eased. Silver hit another high and gold near recent highs. Reliance Industries won two oil exploration blocks and ONGC won ten.

Nikkei in Tokyo Surges 2.6% on Production Resumption Progress

Nigel Thomas
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

The benchmark index in Tokyo soared 2.6% after the yen declined and more companies make a progress in resuming production. Hitachi, Nissan and IHI were among the leading companies that resumed partial operations. Tepco dropped another 18%.

Australian Index Gains 1.4%; BHP Resumes Gulf of Mexico Drilling

Marcus Jacob
30 Mar, 2011
New York City

The Australian benchmark index increased 1.4% on the back of a rise in commodities prices. BHP Billiton resumed drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Rio Tinto struggles with Riversdale acquisition.

GE to Acquire France Based Converteam for $3.2 Billion

Mukesh Buch
29 Mar, 2011
New York City

General Electric agreed to acquire 90% of Converteam based in France for $3.2 billion. The deal strengthens the company position in the alternative energy field.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Dips; European Debt Worries

Bikram Pandey
29 Mar, 2011
New York City

U.S stocks gained after the release of consumer confidence and metropolitan residential price indexes. The home prices declined 3.1% in January from a year ago and consumer confidence dipped to a 3-month low. GE agreed to acquire France based Converteam for $3.2 billion.

U.S. Movers: Apollo Group, Lennar, McCormick, Phillips-Van Heusen

Mukesh Buch
29 Mar, 2011
New York City

Apollo Group reported second quarter net loss of $64.0 million. Lennar first quarter net income increased to $27.4 million. McCormick first quarter net income rose to $76.8 million. Phillips-Van Heusen fourth quarter net income increased to $52.2 million.

UK GDP Revised Higher, Real Income Falls; CPP, Thomas Cook Drop

Marcus Jacob
29 Mar, 2011
New York City

UK GDP in the fourth quarter was revised higher to a shrink of 0.5% compared to previous estimate of 0.6% decline. 2010 economic growth was unrevised at 1.5%. Household spending declined 0.3% in real terms in last quarter of 2010 and for the year declined the most in 33 years.

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