Market Update

U.S. Indexes Close Higher on Bernanke Stance

123jump.com Staff
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Stocks bounced around but closed higher after Fed Chairman Bernanke said rates are likely to remain for a long time. New Home sales in January plunged to the lowest since record keeping began in 1963 and declined 6.5% from a year ago. Akio Toyoda aplogized to U.S. lawmakers for quality problems.

HK GDP Shrank 2.7%; Luxury Home Tax Up

Mayank Mehta
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Hong Kong fourth quarter GDP increased 2.3% and for 2009 shrank 2.7% on 12.6% decline in exports. Hong Kong increased stamp duty on luxury homes. Cathay Pacific and Air China negotiate air cargo venture. U.S. impose 12% duty on Chinese steel pipes covering $382 billion of imports.

UK Indexes Higher; Carnival, BlueBay Rally

123jump.com Staff
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

UK indexes closed higher. Royal Bank of Scotland plans to award

Europe: Accor, Fresenius Rhodia Rise

Mayank Mehta
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

European markets closed higher on stronger than expected earnings from Rhodia, Fresenius and Vallourec. Industrial new orders in December increased, surprising most economists. French jobless rolls increased to 2.66 million.

H&R Block, Garmin Plunge; Bowne Soars

Mayank Mehta
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

H&R Block, Inc plunged 15% after the company said it will not meet its 2010 estimates. Bowne & Co. soared 60% after it agreed to be acquired by Donnelley & Sons Co. Dolan Media Co sees revenue above estimates. Eaton Vance profit jumps 87%.

Nikkei in Tokyo Drops 1.5%, Exports Surge

Mayank Mehta
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Japan exports in January surged 40.9% and recorded a trade surplus of 85.2 billion yen defying the expectations of deficit. Exports to Asia increased 68%. Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K led the decliners in the Nikkei 225 Stock Average with a loss of 9.8%.

Indian Railways Increase Capex; Stocks Fall

Mayank Mehta
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Indian Railways proposed a capital spending to increase 2.7% in the next fiscal year. Freight handled is expected to increased 6% and passenger revenues to increase 7%. The railways proposed to pay dividend of $1.2 billion to the central government.

Australian Index Declines 1.5%; Suncorp Plunges

Darlington Musarurwa
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Australian benchmark index declined on weak commodities prices. The Australian dollar gained 0.2%. Total construction work hours increased 2.6% in the three months to December. Suncorp-Metway dropped 6.4% after it trimmed its dividend. Woodside 2009 profit increased 2.1%.

Daimler AG Q4 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
24 Feb, 2010
New York City

Daimler fourth quarter revenue dropped 8.2% to 21.32 billion euros with a net loss of 352 million euros in the fourth quarter as against loss of 1.52 billion euros a year ago. Share prices dropped 6% and the company said it will not pay dividend this year.

FDIC Signals More Bank Failures

123jump.com Staff
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

Banks are still reeling under the weight of loan losses and shrinking lending according to the latest report from the FDIC. Both the number and assets of

S&P 500, Nasdaq Drop 1.2%; Problem Banks Rise

123jump.com Staff
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

U.S. indexes declined more than 1% and European markets dropped more than 1.4%. Commodities declined. FDIC said that the number of problem banks increased 27% at the end of fourth quarter and is likely to increase in 2010. Consumer confidence index declined to 10-month low.

UK Stocks Down; Wolseley Surges 12%

Mayank Mehta
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

UK stocks decline on a weakness of resource stocks and commodities. British Airways cabin crew voted for a strike if talks with management fail. Minerva Plc reported its first profit in two years on higher valuation of properties. Wolseley Plc surged 12% on estimated earnings estimate.

Home Depot, Expeditors Rise; Nordstrom Falls

Mayank Mehta
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

Home Depot increased on positive outlook and better than expected earnings. Cracker Barrel surged 8% after quarterly earnings increased 38%. Expeditors International soared 7% after quarterly net declined less than expected.

Commerzbank Drops 7%, Carlsberg Soars 7.5%

Mayank Mehta
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

European market indexes and the euro traded lower. Commerzbank dropped 7% on higher than expected charges. Carlsberg A/S soared after it targeted higher operating margins. Lufthansa pilots return following court orders. Raiffeisen International dropped 12%.

Terex Corp. Q4 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
23 Feb, 2010
New York City

The construction machinery company reported revenue declined 36% to $1.06 billion in the quarter. Net quarterly loss narrowed 66% to $142.8 million. The company lost $1.32 a share compared to a loss of $4.46 a share a year-ago quarter.