Elena
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
Dow component Microsoft moved notably higher after Citigroup raised its U.S. Q3 estimates for the company after a successful launch of Windows Vista, Office 2007, and SharePoint Server by the company. Company''''s stock rose 3%. Altria Group provided further support to the blue-chip average, rising 1%. However, Walt Disney was a notable drag, falling 1%.
Elena
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
European stocks closed modestly higher on Wednesday, helped by strength among travel and technology stocks which offset some weakness from oil and gas firms. A decline in the shares of DaimlerChrysler also limited the upward movement. The automaker fell 1.5% after Chairman Zetsche confirmed that there are talks with unidentified buyers for Chrysler. The French CAC-40 added 0.5%, the German DAX Xetra 30 index gained 0.4% and the U.K. FTSE 100 finished flat at 6,364.70.
Elena
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
U.S. stocks traded in a volatile fashion, reflecting weaker-than-expected reports on the service-sector, employment, and on factory orders. The ISM reported that the nation''s service economy expanded at a slower pace in March, with index coming in at 52.4, down from 54.3 in February. Also, factory orders rose by a disappointing 1% in February, below expectations of an increase of 1.9%.
Elena
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
U.S. stocks opened little changed Wednesday, reflecting mixed reports from electronics retailers and a disappointing estimate on U.S. employment. Stocks received help from news of easing global political tensions, with Iran promising to release 15 detained sailors and marines. In corporate news, Best Buy rose 1% after reporting 19% rise in Q4 profit. Rival Circuit City Stores posted an unexpected loss because of lower sales. The stock lost 0.3%.
Ivaylo
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
Shares, such as Kingfisher, Alliance & Leicester, Pearson and Hanson went ex-dividend. A fresh round of bid speculation broke out on Wednesday on rumours of possible takeover bids for Home Retail Group and SSL. Home Retail hit a new high after Citigroup upgraded it. Bid gossip surrounded mid-cap SSL as it has been regularly named as a target with Johnson & Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser. By late morning, the FTSE 100 had a mixed start and was down 6.8 points at 6,359.3.
Ivaylo
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
Asian stocks ended in positive territory on Wednesday, spurred by a rally in the auto sector while stronger U.S. home-sales data and falling crude-oil prices cheered investors on the growth outlook in the region most important export market. Sydney advanced to a record close, bolstered by the central bank decision to leave its benchmark interest rate at 6.25%. Stock-market indexes advanced in Taiwan, South Korea, China, Singapore and Indonesia.
Elena
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
Chairman Zetsche said the automaker is in talks with unidentified buyers about a possible sale. However, according to reports, Canadian auto-parts supplier Magna International Inc. submitted a bid to buy the business for as much as $4.7 billion. In addition, Cerberus Capital Management LLC and a consortium of investors led by Blackstone Group are also expected to make bids.
Ivaylo
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
The benchmark index opened with a positive bias and rallied especially in afternoon trade. Banking, metals, pharma, sugar and offshore oil stocks advanced, while after a lackluster start cement shares managed to recover in late session. The surge of the rupee against the dollar accounted for the mixed trend in IT stocks. HDFC, NTPC and BHEL led the advancers today, while Hero Honda and Grasim led the decliners. The rupee breached 43 level.
Ivaylo
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
European stocks crept forward on Wednesday, with slight advances for autos and travel stocks countering a decline for Barclays and Northern Rock after a downgrade and a downturn for Alliance Boots. Energy stocks dipped as oil prices declined, giving rise to concern that earnings at BP and Total will drop. By mid morning, Frankfurt Xetra Dax added 0.2%, the CAC 40 in Paris was flat, while London FTSE 100 fell 0.1%.
Ivaylo
04 Apr, 2007
New York City
Speculators on Tuesday drove copper futures to their highest level since early November on robust demand, especially from China. Other influences driving up copper futures included a strike at a plant in Peru, as well as Congo suspending any new mining contracts with private companies while it reviews current deals mainly agreed upon from 1998 to 2003. Other metals also rose, particularly silver.
123jump.com Staff
03 Apr, 2007
New York City
Stocks ended higher as an index of expected home sales rose and oil prices retreated amid signs the tension between Britain and Iran was easing. Toyota reported a rise of 11% in March sales. Ford Motor saw a 9% drop, General Motors suffered a 7.7% decrease and Chrysler reported a 4% slide in their sales. European and Latin American markets closed higher on the strength in New York trading. Brazil and Germany closed up 1.5%.
123jump.com Staff
03 Apr, 2007
New York City
U.S. stocks surged on expectations of resilience in the housing market, with falling oil prices contributing to the rally. Airline stocks rocketed higher on the prospect of declining fuel costs, as well as a rise in Continental Airlines revenue per passenger. Homebuilders advanced after the rise in pending home sales. Pulte Homes rose 2.9%, Home Depot climbed 2.3%. European markets closed higher.
Elena
03 Apr, 2007
New York City
European stocks posted gains on Tuesday, helped by news that German utility giant E.On will abandon plans to buy Spain''s Endesa. Shares of Acciona rose 5.9%, Enel added 1.3% while Endesa eased 0.8%. The mining sector also provided support as copper prices advanced. Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton helping the resource sector to advance more than 2%. The German DAX 30 increased 1.6%, the French CAC-40 index rose 1.2%, and the U.K. FTSE 100 closed up 0.6%.
Elena
03 Apr, 2007
New York City
U.S. market averages posted solid gains in early trading, with the Dow Jones industrials adding more than 120 points. Stocks benefited from falling oil prices, as well as signs of improving housing market. Homebuilders rose after the rise in pending home sales. Pulte Homes rose 3.2%, KB Home rose 3.1%, and Toll Brothers gained 3%. Shares of online music seller Napster jumped 7% after announcing that its Q4 results will beat its own estimates.
Elena
03 Apr, 2007
New York City
U.S. stocks rallied at opening Tuesday, extending recent gains. Market sentiment was boosted by data showing higher-than-expected February pending homes sales, suggesting the housing market was stabilizing. A notable decline in crude oil prices amid easing tensions between the UK and Iran also gave a boost. Consequently, shares of oil companies moved lower, with Exxon Mobil losing 0.5%. Among other Dow components, Altria Group and United Technologies gained, up 1% each.
