Market Update

Hang Seng Fell 6% for the Week

123jump.com Staff
18 Jan, 2008
New York City

Hong Kong stocks recovered from a loss of 4% in the morning tradig to close up 0.4% after banking stocks led a rally. ICBC estiamted 60% rise in profit for the year 2007. HSBC fell after Merrill reported large loan losses in the sub-prime area. Companies in China raised $105 billion on domestic market and Chinese stock markets at the end of 2007 had market capitalization of $4.4 trillion.

Consumer Confidence in Japan Fell

123jump.com Staff
18 Jan, 2008
New York City

Consumer confidence in Japan fell in December according to a report from the Cabinet Office. Rising food and energy prices and stagnant wages and economy has left consumers on the edge. The index fell in December to 38 from 39.8 in November. Nikkei 225 stocks rose 0.56% or 77.84 to 13,861.29 and the broader Topix Index increased 11.06 to 1,341.50. Nippon Paper Goup led the decliners in the Nikkei 225 index with a loss of 11% after it violated the goverment rule on recycled paper.

Anglo American Offers $5B, UK Stocks Fell

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Anglo American offered $5.5 billion for two iron ore mines from controlling shareholder of MMX Mineracao e Metalicos in Brazil. Anglo American with the acqusition will increase its capacity of seaborne iron ore to 150 million tons per annum by 2017. SAB Miller released its third quarter trading update. In London trading stocks fell on the ongoing global credit market malaise. UK housing stocks gained after JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley recommended the sector.

Germany, Italy, Switzerland Fell

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2001
New York City

The fears of U.S. recession drove global markets lower. Financial markets in Europe fell acorss the region led by a sharp fall in France, Germany, U.K., and Switzerland. Automakers with the U.S. exposures fell, led by 3% loss in BMW. Drugmakers fell after Novartis reported lower than expected earnings. Miners fell as metal prices declined. Vedanta Resources plunged 6%, BHP and Rio Tinto declined 4%. Alstom rose 3% after q3 revenue rose 20%.Pirelli Tyre estimated better earnings in 2007.

U.S. Recession Fears Drive Global Markets Lower

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Large losses at banks and talks of downgrade of bond insurance companies and inadequate response from the Whitehouse to the ongoing credit market turmoil left most investors nervous. The coming recession in the economy is already felt in the earnings of banks and other companies. Merrill Lynch reported revenue decline of 66% to $11 billion in 2007 and reported a loss of $12.8 billion compared to profit of $9.8 billion in 2006.

Ambac and MBIA Plung on Risk of Defaults

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Ambac plunged 51% and MBIA lost 33% of its value in the morning trading after investors worried that companies may need to raise capital soon. The declines in subprime mortgage markets are only accelerating and with that exposure of these companies. Ambac has now lost nearly 85% of its value in six months of trading. The PMI Group and MBIA fell in sympathy as well.

Hong Kong Recovers 2.4%

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Hong Kong stocks rebounded after four days losses. Hang Seng Index added 2.7% or 664.13 or 25,114.98. China asked banks to increase the reserve ratio to 15% from 14.5% effetive of January 25. HSBC rebounded after declining for six days in a row. Mobile phone operator China Mobile jumped 3.4% to HK$122.5, while China Life edged up 6.1% to HK$35.5.

Large Loan Losses at Merrill Lynch

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

U.S. stocks came under pressure at the opening after Merrill Lynch reported a sharply higher sub-prime related losses and new home construction and completion fell in December. Merrill reported a loss of $10.73 per share or $8.6 billion from continuing operations in the fourth quarter a reversal from a profit of $7.1 billion a year ago. Proforma book value declined to $30.30 from $41.35 at the end of December including the investments received by the end of the year.

Reliance Ind and Energy Profit Gains

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Stocks in India fell for the fourth day in a row. Ssensex index declined 0.8% or 167.30 to 19,700.82. Reliance Industries fell 3% after it reported 162% rise in net income on 23% rise in net sales. Reliance Energy fell 2.4% to 2,212 after it reported proft rise of 50% on 1.8% rise in sales. TCS fell 2.3% after it posted 7% increase in profit.

Nikkei in Japan Rebounds 2%

123jump.com Staff
17 Jan, 2008
New York City

Stocks in Japan rebounded after four days of decline. Nikkei 225 index increased 2% or 278.94 to 13,783 and Topix index added 27.21 to 1,329.58. property stocks rallied on the hopes that housing industry will rebound in January. Exporters advanced after yen fell to 105.90. Sony Corporation rose 2.72%, Toyota Motor soared 3%, and Honda Motor Corporation climbed 3.90%. Retail stocks declined after the Bank of Japan said that the consumer sentiment is on the decline.

German Inflation Rises, Higher Auto Sales

123jump.com Staff
16 Jan, 2008
New York City

European markets closed lower on falling oil and gold prices and worries related to the economic slow-down in the U.S. Inflation in Germany rose at 2.3% in 2007, above the target rate of 2% set by ECB. Euro area annual inflation was 3.1% in December 2007, unchanged compared with November. The Bank of France estimated that economic growth slowed down in the fourth quarter. French government ordered Total to pay civil fines for the sinking of oil tanker Erika in 1999.

Weak Bank Earnings and Oil Weigh on Markets

123jump.com Staff
16 Jan, 2008
New York City

Economic assessment from twelve regions reported in the so called Beige Report suggested that economy continued to grow at a slower pace. Holiday sales in general were disappointing and demand for automobiles was weak. Nonfinancial sectors reported robust demand. Market averages rallied after the report but at close three popular averages fell. Ambac, the bond insurer, plunged 34% after it cut its dividend and revealed a plan to raise $1 billion.

Weak Housing, Stable Employment

123jump.com Staff
16 Jan, 2008
New York City

UK stocks fell after local real estate community estimated that housing markets was at its weakest in the last fifteen years. FTSE 100 index fell 1.4% or 82 to close at 5,942. Retailers rose after employment report from ONS suggested strength in certain age groups. Of the FTSE 100 index stocks, British Land led the gainers with a rise of 4% and Antofagasta led the decliners with a fall of 6.8%. Weak commodities and oil prices dragged miners, energy, and resources stocks.

Ambac Plunges 33%

123jump.com Staff
16 Jan, 2008
New York City

Ambac Financial group, bond insurace group, fell 33% after it lowered its dividend. The company plans to issue stocks and other securities to raise $1 billion. The bond insurance group also replaced its chief executive. Investors worry that may have to raise more capital in he future as Ambac insured bonds worth $555 billion of bonds may deteriorate in value. Ambac stock has lost nearly 90% of its value in the last six months and has fallen from a peak of $96 to $13 in the period.

Sub-Prime Losses at JP Morgan and Wells Fargo

123jump.com Staff
16 Jan, 2008
New York City

U.S. stocks fell in the morning hours after JP Morgan reported $1.3 billion and Wells Fargo reported $2.61 billion of losses. Intel revenue rose 10.5% in the fourth quarter but the stock fell 12%. BEA Systems and Oracle agreed to merge after Oracle lifted its offer. December CPI rose 0.3% and 4.1% in the year 2007. Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Japan markets fell more than 3%. Dollar fell to a record low against euro.