Market Update

China Auto Sales Surge, HK Stocks Gain

123jump.com Staff
09 Apr, 2009
New York City

Stocks in Hong Kong surged on the optimism that economic stimulus will revive the growth. The larger than expected economic package in Japan also lifted stocks in Asia. March auto sales surged 10% on the government subsidies to 772,400 on 40% increaese in minivan demand.

Australian Unemployment Rises

123jump.com Staff
09 Apr, 2009
New York City

Statistics Bureau of Australia reported today that the number of unemployed persons in seasonally adjusted terms surged 24.7% from a month earlier, but soared 33.3% from a year ago to 612,000 in March. Total number of employed people declined 5% from February to 10.792 million.

ConAgra Foods Q3 Earnings Call Transcript

123jump.com Staff
09 Apr, 2009
New York City

The packaged food company reported net sales rose 6% to $3.1 billion from $2.9 billion in the quarter. Net quarterly income declined 37.5% to $193.2 million from $309.1 million. Earnings per share slumped to 43 cents from 63 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Tokyo Stocks Surge on Stimulus of 15.4 T Yen

123jump.com Staff
09 Apr, 2009
New York City

Stocks in Tokyo surged after ruling party proposed to spend 15.4 trillion yen to arrest the widening recession and falling domestic demand. Nearly 40% of the budget is targeted at long term projects. Investor sentiment was also boosted by 1.4% rise in private sector machinery orders in February.

Morning Rally on Wells Fargo Outlook

123jump.com Staff
09 Apr, 2009
New York City

U.S. stocks rallied after Wells Fargo reported better than expected earnings. Jobless claims rose above 600,000 for the fifth moth in a row. Trade deficit in February declined as imports plunged.

Insurers Lineup at U.S. Treasury

123jump.com Staff
08 Apr, 2009
New York City

U.S. Treasury appears to be ready help insurance companies as government deepen its reach into corporate America. The life insurers have been clamoring for the aid but are quite on executive compensation conditions. UK GDP declined at a faster rate in the first quarter.

UK GDP Falls 1.6%, Pernord Ricard

123jump.com Staff
08 Apr, 2009
New York City

Auto stocks in Germany rebounded. UK stocks fell as the first quarter GDP estimate showed a deeper decline than in the fourth quarter. UK GDP decline in first quarter was estimated at 1.6%. Banks in Ireland declined after a rating agency lowered its view. Pernord Ricard to raise 1 billion euros.

Lincoln National, Hartford Rally; Ryder Plunges

123jump.com Staff
08 Apr, 2009
New York City

Life insurance rallied in trading after media report suggested that companies may have access to cheap financing from the U.S. Treasury. Merger between two home builders lifted Centex. Bed Bath & Beyond and Family Dollar rallied on earnings. Ryder plunged on lowered earnings.

Pulte Home Acquires Centex

123jump.com Staff
08 Apr, 2009
New York City

Pulte Homes agreed to acquire Centex for $1.3 billion and assume debt of $1.8 billion. The merger of two home builders will create the largest home builder with substantial foot print in Texas, California, Florida and in Carolinas. Centex surges 22% after the deal news.

Australian Loans and Sentiment Index Rise

Darlington Musarurwa
08 Apr, 2009
New York City

Australian consumer sentiment index increased in April and home loan approvals rose for the fifth month in a row. The sharp reduction in interest rates since September and government stimulus plan to sustain the economic growth lifted the sentiment. Stocks fell in trading. Equinox Minerals plunged.

Alcoa Loss; Deeper European Recession

123jump.com Staff
07 Apr, 2009
New York City

U.S. stocks closed lower ahead of earnings season. Banks and real estate trusts declined for the second day of trading this week. Eurozone lowered its estimate of economic growth for the fourth quarter. Alcoa after the close reported second quarterly loss in a row on 41% fall in revenues.

HK Stocks Fall After 11% 3-day Rally

123jump.com Staff
07 Apr, 2009
New York City

Stocks in Hong Kong fell as investors locked gains after a three-day rally of 11%. Shanghai stocks rose as Beijing announced health care reforms lifting pharmaceutical and medical shares increased. At the end of March, HK foreign exchange reserve rises to $186.2 billion.

UK Stocks Fall on Weak Output Report

123jump.com Staff
07 Apr, 2009
New York City

U.K. manufacturing output drops 6.5% in the three months ending in February. Royal Bank of Scotland plans to cut 9,000 jobs to save nearly 2.5 billion pounds of cost.

RBS, International Speedway, MGM, Wynn Plunge

123jump.com Staff
07 Apr, 2009
New York City

Casino stocks fell sharply after gambling revenues in February declined at a faster rate than in January. Alcoa dropped ahead of earnings. International Speedway plunged after it lowered its annual earnings estimate. Applied Materials fell after a recently place order was trimmed.

Japan Holds Rate at 0.1%

123jump.com Staff
07 Apr, 2009
New York City

By a unanimous vote the Bank of Japan left its key lending rate unchanged at 0.1% and accepted broader collateral from banks. The move is expected to improve credit access at smaller and regional banks. Stocks fell in the session. Softbank Mobile added 2 million net subscribers in fiscal 2008.