Market Update

U.S. Stocks Decline 1%; Weak Home Sales

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

U.S. stocks declined after home sales dropped to another low in November. Sales are likely to decline further in December and in the first quarter of the next year as job losses mount. The U.S. third quarter GDP data was left unchanged and UK current account deficit increased.

UK Current Account Deficit Widens

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

UK current account deficit in the third quarter rose to 2.1% of gross domestic product or

Ford, GM, Textron, Satyam Fall; Red Hat Rises

Mayank Mehta
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

U.S. automakers fell again after rating agencies lowered debt rating on the expectations of weak sales. Satyam continues to slide. Of the stocks in S&P 500 index, 290 declined, 201 rose and 9 are unchanged. Ford Motor led decliners in the S&P 500 index with a loss of 16.7%.

U.S. Home Sales Decline, GDP Left Unchanged

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

U.S. existing home sales declined at a faster pace in November and median price of a home fell too. The home sales were the steepest in the Northeast followed by the South. The new home sales declined at 2.9% to 407,000 homes. The third quarter estimate of GDP decline was left unchanged at 0.5%.

Wipro Acquires Citi Technology, Sensex Falls

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

Stocks in Mumbai dropped 2.4% on the worries that global financial crisis will deepen and foreign investment to India may suffer. The government urged Reserve Bank of India to lower rates further but did not indicate when. Wipro agrees to pay $127 million to acquire Citi Technology Services.

Shanghai Falls 4.9%, Hong Kong Drops 2.8%

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

China foreign currency reserves drop below US$1.9 trillion. Retail sale of consumer goods in China is likely to jump 21% in the year ending in December. Stocks in Hong Kong dropped 2.8% and in Shanghai plunged 4.9% on the worries that recent rate cut may not be sufficient.

New Zealand GDP Shrinks; HFA Plunges

123jump.com Staff
23 Dec, 2008
New York City

For the third straight quarter New Zealand GDP declined. In the quarter ending in September, economy shrank 0.4% after dropping 0.2% in the previous quarter. The economy also declined 0.1% from a year ago, a first annual decline in a year. HFA Holdings plunged after it halted redemptions.

U.S. Stocks Slip, General Motors Worries

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

U.S. stocks fell on the worries that General Motors may need more funding, weakness in insurance stocks and worsening economic outlook. Irealnd was forced to inject 5.5 billion in emergency capital to save three largest bank. China lowered is rate for the fifth time and Toyota slashed its earnings.

Ireland Bailout of 3 Banks; Weak UK Home Prices

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

Miners and insurers fell in London trading. UK home prices are expected to decline 10% after falling 9% in the current year. The European Commission approves Electricite de France acquisition of British Energy. Pound inches near parity with the euro. Ireland pumps 5.5 billion euros in banks.

Sina, Worthington Drop; Wal-Mart Bids for DyS

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

U.S. stocks dropped for the fourth day in a row. Insurance stocks led decliners. Of the stocks in S&P 500 index, 36 gained, 462 declined and 2 were unchanged. LSI Corp led decliners in the index with a loss of 22% and AIG led gainers in the S&P 500 index with a rise of 3.1%.

Deere Q4 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

The agricultural machinery revenues were $7.401 billion and net income of $345 million or $0.81 a share compared to $422.1 million or $0.94 a share a year ago. U.S. farm cash receipts for 2008 and 2009 are at good levels. The company estimated income for the first quarter 2009 of $275 million.

Williams-Sonoma Q3 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

The the home furnisher reported third quarter earnings of $752 million or a loss of $0.10 a share compared to 25 cents a share. The company expects fourth quarter revenue to be between $940 million and $1 billion and earnings per share between $0.10 and $0.30 a share.

Talbots Q3 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

The apparel retailer third quarter net loss from continuing operations of $14.8 million or 28 cents per share compared net loss of $0.9 million or 2 cents per share. Sales in the quarter declined 14% to $357 million. Comp store sales declined 14%.

Tiffany Q3 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

The jewelry retailer quarterly net sales declined 1% to $618.23 million. Net earnings plunged to $44 million or $0.35 per diluted share compared to $103 million or $0.74 a share a year ago. The company projected full year earnings between $2.30 and $2.50 a share.

Sensex Falls 1.7%; Banks Lower Rates

123jump.com Staff
22 Dec, 2008
New York City

India plans to introduce new tax code to prevent treaty shopping. Oil prices may be lowered before the election announcement. Banks lower rates to sustain lending. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank passed on recent cut in rates to borrowers.