Market Update

Mumbai to Open Higher, Fed Cut Rates

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

Stocks in India declined a day after the RBI left the key rates unchanged and as market digested earnings from Mahindra & Mahindra, NTPC, Bharti Airtel, and Baja Auto. Bajaj Auto fell 3% on the decline in earnings, Bharti Airtel rose 1.2% on 36% rise in earnings, and NTPC fell 4.6% after its profit fell 15%. Mahindra & Mahindra profit jumped 67% on the one-time gains. Government relaxed rules for foreign investing in several industries including civil aviation and petroleum refining.

Banks Report More Loan Losses, UBS Fell

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

Surprise sub-prime loan write-down at UBS and BNP jolted markets in the morning and stocks closed lower ahead of the U.S. rate cut in the late afternoon. UBS reported a loss after it reported a larger than expected write-down of $14 billion and BNP Paribas profit declined 42% in the fourth quarter on 590 million euro loss related to credit market turmoil. Vivendi fourth quarter sales rose 8.5%. Department store chain Arcandor rose on profit outlook in Frankfurt trading.

Fed Action Driven Rally Falters, Gold Up

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

The Federal Reserve lowered short term rates by 0.5% to 3.0% and cited substantial downside risks to the economy. The Fed has lowered rates by 1.25% in nine days to calm domestic and international markets. The Fed action may prove inflationary in the medium term and force the Fed to change the course if the economy does not slowdown in the months ahead. Stocks rallied after the Fed decision, but lost neary 1.6% gains in index at close.

UK Mortgage Approvals Decline

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

UK stocks declined 0.8% or 47.90 to 5,837.30 after the mortgage approval fell in December, the largest decline in nine years. Mervyn King was reappointed as the Bank of England Governon after his term expires in June of this year. The Bank of England released in its Lending to Individuals Report today that loans granted for purchase to individuals plunged from 81,000 in November to 73,000 in December against the estimate of 79,000.

MFS Freezes Fund, Lihir Gold production Up

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

ASX 200 index declined 1.7% or 97.8 to close at 5,618.70. BHP Billiton today signed an agreement with China''s leading steelmaker Baosteel to supply an additional 94 million tons of iron ore at a price that is to be determined. MFS, fund manager froze one of its funds for six months to prevent run on the fund. Woolworth sales rose 8.3%, less than projected. Lihir Gold production in 2007 rose 7.7% to 701,000 ounces.

Australian Stocks Fell 2.5%

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

ASX 200 index declined 2.5% or 168.1 to close at 5,716.50. The Preliminary market turnover was 1.84 billion shares worth $6.73 billion, with 515 shares moving up, 723 moving down and 308 unchanged. Building, automotive and plastic products maker, Nylex share shed 17.5% today after an interested private equity firm withdrew its takeover proposal.

Fed Lowers Interest Rate by 0.5%

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

Financial markets remain under considerable stress, and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households. Moreover, recent information indicates a deepening of the housing contraction as well as some softening in labor markets.

U.S. Stocks Struggle, Rate Decision Ahead

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

U.S. stocks edged lower ahead of Fed rate decision in the afternoon and more sub-prime losses. UBS reported $14 billion write-down realted to loan losses, $4 billion higher than estimated, turning profit for the year into a loss. BNP reported smaller, but not previously announced loss. UPS reported a loss on one-time contribution to a pension plan and Yahoo fell 10% on the continued weakness in the search related business.

Hong Kong Stocks Struggle, Yuan Rises

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

Stocks fell in Hong Kong on profit taking ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve decision on interest rates today and as chairman of Henderson Land Development Lee Shau-kee lowered his forecast for the rise in Hang Seng by 22%. Chairman''s comments are widely followed by investors. In Hong Kong trading Hang Seng Index dropped 2.6% or 638.11 at 23,653.69, while the China Enterprises index of H shares declined 4.7% or 623.77 to 12,755.41.

Weak Industrial Production in Japan

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

Stocks in Asia and Japan faltered after the worries related to weakening subprime credit markets in the U.S. resurfaced. IMF lowered the global economic growth forecast for 2008. December industrial production index rose, but at a lower rate then estimated. METI also added that production in January and February is likely to trend lower, sparking worries that expected recovery from the housing market slump may take longer than estimated.

UK Stocks Close Up 1.7%

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

UK stocks edged higher on rate cut speculation in the U.S. and hopes that CVRD in Brazil will offer a bid for mining company Xstrata. FTSE 100 index gained 1.66% or 96.30 to 5,885.20. Miners and financials lifted stocks in the U.K. BSkyB was ordered to lower its stake to 7.5% from 17.9% in the broadcasting company ITV. TUI Travel raised its annual savings forecast to 150 million pounds. Mitchells & Butlers reported 274 million pounds loss in hedging position related a property unit.

European Markets Edge Higher

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

Industrials, mining, and financial stocks led rally across Europe and lifted stocks in Paris by 1.9%, in London and Zurich by 1.6%, and in Frankfurt by 1.1%. Broker recommendations lifted stocks of AP Moeller- Maersk, Siemens, and MAN. Luxottica q4 sales increased 7.1% on retailer Oakley acquisition. IMF lowered its 2008 economic growth forecast for Europe by 0.5% to 1.6%. Societe Generale rises on BNP bid speculation and Sarkozy assertion that executives should face consequencies for losses.

U.S. Averages Close Higher, Yahoo Drops

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

U.S. stocks edged higher for the second day in a row in anticipation of additional rate cut tomorrow. The U.S. House of Representatives passed $146 billion economic stimulus package and sent to senators to review it. 3M, Valero, and Zimmer Holdings rise on earnings. EMC and VMware decline on earnings. European markets closed higher led by miners, financials, and tech companies. Countrywide Financial reported a loss of 79 cents per share. Fourth quarter profit at Yahoo dropped 23%.

Countrywide Loss, VMware Plunges

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

U.S. stocks traded in a narrow range ahead of the rate decision from the Fed. IMF lowered its outlook for global grwoth forecast on the expected economic slowdown in Japan, U.S., and select European nations. U.S. durable goods orders rose 5.2% in December. Countrywide reported a loss of 79 cents per share, sharply lower than its estimate of a profit between 25 cents and 75 cents. American Express earnings declined 9.9% on higher loan loss reserves.

IMF Lowers Global Growth Rates

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

The International Monetary Fund lowered its global economic growth target in 2008 to 4.1% from 4.4% estimated earlier in October of last year. IMF estimated that world economies rose at 4.9% in 2007. The IMF estimate may prove to be too rosy if the U.S. economy slows down at a faster pace as unemployment rate picks up. U.S. economic growth is lowered to 1.5% from 2.2%.