Market Update

Oil, Mergers and Current Acct Deficit

123jump.com Staff
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

Market averages failed to overcome rising oil price and news of widening current account deficit. In the early trading session merger and buyout news dominated trading. In the afternoon trading rise in oil price kept market averages in check. Oil gained 0.8% and gold rose near $10. Asian and Latin American markets rose across both regions. Home builders confidence fell to fifteen year low.

Home Builders Confidence Index Decline

123jump.com Staff
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

Index of home builders confidence declined in September to a low at 30, last seen in 1991. The index showed its worst decline in the North East and Western regions in the country. Home builders do not expect the single family home market to recover till mid 2007. Home builders stocks declined in the morning trading. With 1.5% rise in oil price and $10 jump in gold, market averages were on the defensive.

Autos Pressure Europe

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets made a mixed performance at close as higher oil prices contributed to gains by commodities stocks but also pressured the automotive sector. German truck maker Man lost 5.3%, while Swedish counterpart Scania rose 5.9% after Scania rejected a $12.2 billion offer from Man. London FTSE 100 advanced 0.2%, the French CAC 40 erased earlier losses to close flat at 5,146, while the German DAX 30 fell 0.2%.

Market Refrains from Big Moves

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

The semiconductor sector advanced, with Freescale Semiconductor rising 5.6% after the company agreed to be acquired by a private equity consortium for $17.6 billion. Shares of Getty Images climbed 6% after J.P. Morgan upgraded its rating on the stock to Overweight from Neutral, citing valuation. At the same time, shares of Watson Wyatt dropped 5.2% after UBS downgraded its rating on the company to Neutral from Buy.

Sensex Up On Low Volume

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

The Sensex traded in a narrow range throughout the day. Strong foreign funds inflows, upbeat Asian markets and the expected positive second-quarter results kept the market in positive territory. Stocks from banking, cement, energy, engineering, pharma and telecom sectors gained today. Aluminium, auto and steel stocks declined. Hindustan Lever led the advancers, while Tata Steel, Tata Motors led the decliners.

Current Account Deficit Widens

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stock markets opened in the negative, reversing from recent gains with investors awaiting Wednesday

Merger Talks Lift London

Ivaylo
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

Large-cap oil and mining stocks led London blue chip index steadily higher through the morning session, buoyed by Royal Dutch Shell move. Oil companies moved higher as well as crude prices improved towards $64 a barrel. The approach of Royal Dutch Shell is no surprise to investors as both companies have been linked in merger talks on a number of occasions. The FTSE 100 was 32.3 points higher at 5,909.3 at mid-day, an increase of 0.5%.

Freescale to Be Acquired for $17.6 B

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock market futures slightly advanced Monday, supported by solid European gains and a multibillion-dollar deal. Freescale Semiconductor agreed late Friday to be acquired by a private-equity consortium for $17.6 billion, or $40 a share.

Citizens Buys Commonwealth Telephone

Elena
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

The cash and stock deal represents a 17% premium to Commonwealth''''s closing share price of $35.60 on Sep. 8. According to estimates, Citizens will achieve annual cash synergies of around $30 million from the deal.

Taiwan Leads Indexes Higher

Ivaylo
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

A surge in gains in technology shares boosted markets across Asia, with indexes in Taiwan and South Korea hitting fresh multi-month highs on Monday. In Taiwan, stocks closed at their highest level in more than three months after weekend rallies in Taipei opposing and supporting the president were largely peaceful. Shares in Hong Kong were led higher by property stocks and South Korea stocks finished higher due to a large volume of program buying.

Europe Higher, Attention on Scania

Ivaylo
18 Sep, 2001
New York City

European markets focused their attention on Scania after the Swedish truckmaker rejected an offer from MAN on Monday as European equity markets made advances. Commodity stocks and a slightly stronger end to Wall Street trading last week also offered support to indexes under pressure from auto stocks. The U.K. FTSE 100 index gained 0.1%, the German DAX Xetra 30 index was unchanged at 5,938 and the French CAC-40 index edged up 0.1%.

Precious Metals Keep Sliding

Ivaylo
18 Sep, 2006
New York City

Metals weakness emanated overnight from Japan, where there had been some worries about demand because of the relatively high price, and in China. Also, gold and silver finished lower Friday, recording sizable losses for the week as the U.S. dollar rose to a seven-week high against the euro and traders worried that slack demand for jewelry could hurt prices.

Ford Cuts Deeper, Dow and Nasdaq Rise

123jump.com Staff
15 Sep, 2006
New York City

Market averages closed higher on tame inflation report.Consumer prices rose 0.2% in August on smaller gains in housing prices and falling energy prices. Ford reported deeper than expected cuts in salaried staff, suspended quarterly dividend and said that North American operation will not generate profit till the year 2009. Oil and natural gas rose a fraction. European markets gain a fraction, Mexico advacne 1.2% and Japan fell.

U.S. Inflation Data Help Europe Up

Elena
15 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets finished mostly higher as U.S. core consumer prices inflation data raised hopes that the Fed Reserve will not raise interest rates at its forthcoming meeting. The upbeat data helped offset a sharp decline by the shares of DaimlerChrysler. The German DAX 30 advanced 0.5%, the French CAC 40 gained 0.4%, while London FTSE 100 closed flat at 5.877.

Ford Slides 14% on Restructuring Plan

Elena
15 Sep, 2006
New York City

A decline in crude oil prices to a one-year low and data showing tame consumer inflation drove market averages sharply higher. Crude-oil futures fell to $62.45 a barrel, extending a week-long slide on speculation that oil demand is weakening. The good news offset disappointment with Ford Motors Co.''''s restructuring plan. Shares of the auto maker slid 14% on news it would cut its workforce by about 14,000 jobs and suspend the payment of its quarterly dividend.