Market Update

India to Lift Petrol and Diesel Prices

123jump.com Staff
26 May, 2008
New York City

Asian key indices fell, as investors feared elevated inflation numbers and the US economic recession possibility to seriously dent consumer demand in the region''s biggest export market. Indian government is considering decontrolling petrol prices, a move that may see rates increased by 16-17 rupees a litre, but diesel will continue to be sold at a subsidized price.

HK Stocks Drop 2.3%, China Mobile Tumbles

123jump.com Staff
26 May, 2008
New York City

Hong Kong shares finished the morning trading session lower, dragged down by the index heavyweight China Mobile. Investors were reluctant to buy as they were worried that increasing fuel costs could accelerate inflation, slow economic expansion and cut profit growth. The Hang Seng index lost 424.32 points or 1.7% to end the session at 24,289.75. China''s largest offshore oil producer CNOOC lost 2.6% to HK$14.38. Air China, the nation''s largest international carrier, slid 1% to HK$5.36.

Australia's St. George and Westpac Sign Pact

123jump.com Staff
26 May, 2008
New York City

The RBA is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate by almost a quarter-percentage point in the next 12 months, according to a Credit Suisse Group index. ASX 200 index fell 1.1% or 61 to close at 5,707.00. The Preliminary market turnover was 1.67 billion, worth $5.07 billion, with 503 stocks up, 752 stocks down and 317 unchanged. Australian government bonds rose. The yield on the 10-year note fell 7 basis points to 6.44%, according to Bloomberg data.

The Rising Yen Hits Exporters in Japan

123jump.com Staff
26 May, 2008
New York City

The ongoing concern over inflation persisted in Japan as oil prices remained high. The Nikkei 225 index dropped 322.01 points, or 2.3% to 13,690.19. Crude oil futures increased to a record above $135 a barrel last week and were trading above US$133 a barrel in Asian electronic trading late Monday. Sony Corp. declined 2.6% while electronics maker Kyocera Corp. slid 2.1%. The dollar was trading at 103.31 yen Monday afternoon. Major exporters lost ground with Canon down by 3.3%, to 5,260 yen.

Nippon Sheet Glass Plunge 8%

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

Japanese stock indexes were mixed as exporters rose after the yen weakened and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co increased as Roche said it will shore up its stake in the company. However gains were trimmed by weak commodity stocks as metal and crude oil prices slumped. In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 rose 0.24% or 33.74 at 14,012.20, and the Topix Index declined 0.2% or 2.98 to 1,376.69.

Telecom Stocks in HK Rally

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

Hong Kong continue to trade in a tight range. For the week stocks fell 3.5% as oil surged nearly 10%. Stocks in Shanghai fell 1% in Fridays trading. Talks of telecom deregulaton intensified and several telecom stocks in Hong Kong trading were suspended ahead of annoucements. China Mobile fell but China Unicom, China Netcom and China Telecom surged before the suspension.

Anheuser Surges, Weak Home Sales

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

Existing home sales in April fell 1% from March and 18% from a year ago. Inventories of unsold homes rose to a 11-month high, indicating rising sale cycle. Median home prices fell 8%. The weak housing market data dragged market averages and stocks in banking and home building segments. Anheuser Busch led the gainers in S&P 500 on a possible bid from InBev at $65 a share or at $46.6 billion.

European Markets Decline on Weak Forecast

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

European markets declined after a regional survey of manufacturing and services organization showed a weakest read in several years. The index in May fell to 51.1 from 51.9 in April. Separately first quarter economic growth in Italy increased at 0.4% from the fourth quarter and rose at 0.2% from a year ago. Volkswagen reported 10.5% vehicles sales rise in April and for the first four months global deliveries rose 7.9% to 2.14 million vehicles.

Sensex Falls, Weak Rupee, Fuel Price Hike

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

Rising inflation and elevated crude oil prices dragged stocks lower. Sensex fell 1.5% or 257.47 to 16,649.64 and NSE declined 1.6% to 4,946.55. The stocks fell for the second day in a row on a weakness in realty, energy and metals and mining companies. After the release of wholesale inflation report banks and realty stocks fell. Software company TCS won an order of 1,000 crore rupees to process passport applications from the Indian government.

Weak UK Service Sector

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

UK service sector index that tracks output rose 0.5% in the quarter ending in March, according to government statistics released by the ONS. The anemic rise in the service sector dragged stocks lower. The output fell fractionally in the last two months. Separately, Halliburton made an offer to purchase Expro International at 1,525 pence, 7% higher than the offer from Candover Partners. Expro jumped 6% to close above the offer price from Halliburton.

Expro Up 6% on Halliburton Bid

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

Expro International surged 6% after it received a bid from Halliburton that valued the company at 1.7 billion pounds or 1,525 pence per share. The offer lifted the share above the offer price on the hopes of a revised offer from Candover Partners and Goldman Sachs.

Weak U.S. Opening, Crude Rebounds

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

Global markets appear to be in a retreat after Asian markets closed down, European markets trend lower and the U.S. indexes are expected to open weak. Crude oil spiked above $133 a barrel. The weather forecast from the U.S. suggested busy hurricane season with a possibility of 9 significant hurricanes. BHP and Rio Tinto fell in the European trading as investors book profit in the sector. Metals and mining stocks have surged nearly 45% in two months.

April Trade Surplus Declines, Stocks Fall

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

Stocks in Japan rose after a government report showed that exports rose more than forecasted in April buoyed by shipments to emerging economies. Japan

China HK Trade UP 9.3%

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

Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong fell as crude oil continued to rise. The rise in energy prices fueled inflation fears. China also denied that it will deregulate petrol and oil prices. The denial prompted a sell-off in the oil refiners. Hang Seng index fell 1.6% to 25,043 and CSI 300 index in Shanghai declined 1.9% to 3,711. Trade between Hong Kong and mainland China increased 9% to $63 billion in the first four months of 2008, fueling the economic expansion in China.

Volatile FTSE and Oil, LSE Falls

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

Energy and mining companies dominated FTSE 100 index traded volatile as crude oil surged above $135 a barrel and closed below $133. The crude oil volatility dragged stocks up and down in listless trading. In earnings news, LSE fell 5% after it reported a profit of 174 million pounds and offered an optimistic outlook that analysts questioned. The largest European stock exchange fell on the worries that rising competition from alternative platforms may hurt the margins.