Market Update

Ricoh Buys IKON, Weak Construction

123jump.com Staff
28 Aug, 2008
New York City

Stocks in Japan edged higher lifted by rising commodities related stocks and news of acquisition from Ricoh. The office equipment company agreed to acquire IKON Office Solutions for $1.6 billion in cash, 33% premium from its 60-day trailing average price. More construction companies and home builders in Japan are expected falter in the rest of the year. July month saw nearly 1,140 bankruptcies in Japan, with nearly third of them from the construction industry.

Durable Orders, Oil Drive Stocks Higher

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Stocks in US, Canada, UK, Europe, Hong Kong and India rose. Better than expected durable goods orders drove stocks higher in the U.S., rising energy prices lifted stocks in UK and Canada. Peru and Brazil led gainers in the South America with the markets in the entire region closing higher. Stocks in Hong Kong and China rose on earnings from China Life, China Mobile, PetroChina and China Cosco. Mergers in IT industry lifted stocks in India.

Taylor Wimpey Loss, UK Stocks Up

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Stocks in London rose tracking gains in energy and metals market. Taylor Wimpey reported first half revenue rose to

Earnings Dominate China, HK Trading

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Stocks in Hong Kong and in Shanghai edged higher after several leading companies reported better than expected earnings. China Life, China Mobile, China COSCO and Jiangxi Copper reported better than expected earnings. Coal companies also gained on news that China will strengthen its enforcement of price caps on thermal coal. China Shenhua surged 5.7% and China Coal edged up 6.3%.

Builder Bankruptcy Drives Nikkei Lower

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Stocks in Japan fell as fourth home builder filed for bankruptcy protection in as many months. Tight lending standards and revised and tougher building code pushed several home builders into financial distress. Tokyo office rent fell in August from July, a first monthly decline in three decades. The news of the bankruptcy dragged stocks lower.

Sensex Falls, Thomas Cook Surges

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Indian stocks fell despite the expectations of lower inflation in the next fiscal year. Tighter monetary policy from the Reserve Bank of India is expected to bring inflation under control. Financial and realtors fell in the trading session. Airlines declined as oil price in the region rose. FirstSource Solution rose 9% after ICICI Bank and two other shareholders sold their combined stake in the outsourcing company.

Durable Orders Rise, China Mobile Earnings Soar

123jump.com Staff
27 Aug, 2008
New York City

Durable goods orders rose 1.3% in July matching the rise in June. The better than expected increase in orders lifted stocks in the morning trading. Tropical storm Gustav, after dropping rain in Haiti appears to heading towards Gulf of Mexico. In earnings news, China Mobile earnings rose sharply as it adds more than 20 million subscribers. PetroChina earnings fell on losses in its refining business.

Weak Home Sales, Metals; Dollar Rises

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

U.S. stocks edged higher as crude oil and natural gas futures rose and industrial metals fell but precious metals closed higher. New home sales in July fell compared to a year ago as tight lending conditions and falling confidence in the economy kept buyers away. The U.S. dollar rose against most major currencies. Stocks and ruble in Russia fell sharply as stand-off with NATO continues as Russia declared two regions independent from Georgia. German business and consumer confidence declines.

UK Falls, Europe Rises

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

Stocks in London fell marginally and tracked the volatility in crude oil futures and metals markets. A weak reading on German business and consumer confidence weighed on the trading in the European region. Home mortgage approval in UK in July fell 65% as lenders kept tighter control. Home equity loans hovered around 50% of total loans issued. Mortgage lending in the month rose

HCL, ONGC Videsh Acquire

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

Stocks in Mumbai edged higher despite a weakness in global and regional trading. ONGC Videsh is preparing a bid to acquire Imperial Oil for

Shanghai Falls 2.9%, Profit Growth Declines

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

Stocks in Hong Kong edged lower but in Shanghai dropped 2.9% and dragged the CSI 300 index to a new low in the last fifteen months. Stocks struggled as companies battle a decline in revenue and earnings growth and tighter lending conditions. Chinalco received Australian government approval to increase its stake to 11% from 9%.

Japan Stocks Follow Global Slow Down

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

Stock market indexes in Japan fell as more evidence emerged of a global economic slowdown. Investors sought stocks linked to the domestic economy and sold stocks linked to exports to the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. dollar also strengthened against yen. Construction sector in Japan continue to take more casualties as more companies face tighter lending standards. Sebon Corp filed for bankruptcy protection with 62 billion yen in liabilities.

Retailers, Restaurants Decline; Dollar Rises

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

U.S. stocks edge higher after dollar gained in the international trading and new home sales rose. The home sales rose 2.4% to 515,000 units but declined 35% from a year ago. The dollar rose against all major currencies as economies around the world are expected to falter. The dollar rose sharply against the British pound, euro and Australian dollar. Restaurant stocks fell after Darden reported lower than expected earnings.

Weak German Confidence, Russian Stocks Fall

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

European stock market indexes fell as German consumer and business confidence declined in August. The rising oil and food prices lowered the propensity to spend by consumers. Businesses battle rising wages, struggling exports and elevated euro in the international markets. Russian ruble dropped more than 1% and stocks dropped sharply after Russia recognized two breakaway provinces from Georgia. The oil and gas heavy RTS index dropped 5% and has now lost 25% in two months.

AIG Worries Spark a Broad Sell-off

123jump.com Staff
25 Aug, 2008
New York City

Wide spread pessimism was evident in a broad decline in stocks and in the S&P 500 index 447 stocks declined. Existing home sales in July rose 3.1% from June but fell 13% from a year ago. The home sales rose but so did inventories of unsold homes and Median home prices fell 7% from a year ago. Freddie Mac led gainers in the S&P 500 index after it placed $2 billion in debt at significantly higher yield than similar maturities of the U.S. Treasuries.