Market Update

GE Sells a Unit for $3.8 B

Elena
14 Sep, 2006
New York City

Once the transaction is completed, GE will receive a 10% ownership stake in the combined company and hold $400 million of notes. Wayne Hewett, who is in charge of the Advanced Materials business for GE, will serve as president and CEO of the new business.

Asia Higher On Commodities

Ivaylo
14 Sep, 2006
New York City

Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Thursday, led by the Nikkei Average in Japan where an upbeat earnings outlook for office-equipment maker Canon Inc. and a stronger finish on U.S. markets lifted sentiment. Australia and South Korea also ended positive. Hong Kong and Taiwan were the only major markets to finish in the red.

Europe Gains on Oil Advance

Ivaylo
14 Sep, 2006
New York City

European stocks gained ground on Thursday, supported by a higher end on U.S. markets overnight and by updates from retailers like Swiss luxury-goods group Richemont. The U.K. FTSE 100 index advanced 0.3% to 5,912, The German DAX Xetra 30 index rose 0.1% to 5,914, the French CAC-40 index increased 0.3% to 5,150.

Gold Posts Modest Gains

Ivaylo
14 Sep, 2006
New York City

The gold futures bounced back from technical support as dollar was slightly weaker on the day, although minimally, but at least allowing that some advance the in metals. The general commodities trend of being down lately maybe subsided on Wednesday, with crude-oil prices being up.Palladium, silver and copper also gained.

Weak Oil, Lower Deficit, Solid Lehman

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

Market averages opened higher and kept the upward bias during the trading session. Higher than expected earnings from Lehman Bros, weak sentiment in oil trading and 14% decline in budget deficit helped market sentiment. Trading volume remaied weak. Oil stock rose despite weak oil. Oil has dropped $13 from its peak. Lehman, Nordstrom and Google gained more than 3% at close. Peabody Energy surged nearly 10%.

Budget Deficit Declines 14%

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

Market averages retained a potive bias. Oil dropped below $64 and Treasure Department reported 14% lower deficit than a year ago. Lehman Bros rose on better than expected revenue and solid earnings. Advanced Micro and Google led the gainers in the tech sector. Valero and Conoco Phillips led energy sector.

Truck Makers Push Europe Up

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets finished mostly in the positive, supported by merger-and-acquisition talk in the truck-making sector. Swedish truck maker Scania jumped 8.2% on expectations that Germany''s Man AG will make a bid for the company. The German DAX 30 climbed 0.6%, the French CAC 40 added 0.2%, while London FTSE 100 lost 0.1%.

Hewlett-Packard Turns to Losses

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded in a lackluster manner Wednesday morning following a strong market rally in the previous session. Hewlett Packard dropped 2.4% after California''s attorney general warned that company officials involved in a scandal over leaks to the media could face criminal charges. Sears Holdings gained $1.24 to $157.08 after approving plans to buyback up to $500 million in stock.

Sensex Up 2%

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

The market jumped for a second straight day, but erased some of the early gains as Sensex reached key resistance level near 12,000. Banks gained as declining oil price offered hopes that the Reserve Bank may keep short term rates steady. Bharti Airtel, NTPC, ICICI Bank, SBI, Maruti led the advancers on BSE. Reliance Communications, Hindalco and Tata Steel led the decliners.

Merck Contributes to Weak Opening

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks opened lower to turn mixed shortly afterwards on negative news from Merck and recovering oil prices after seven sessions of steep losses. Shares of Merck fell more than 2% after two new studies indicated that withdrawn pain reliever Vioxx carries an increased risk of kidney and heart arrhythmia problems.

London Off Early Gains

Ivaylo
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

Up more than 17 points mid-morning, the FTSE 100 was trading flat in late afternoon. The number of Britons claiming jobless benefit dropped sharply last month, but it was no surprise to markets. The rise in retailers led by Next and Marks & Spencer failed to inspire as a dull performance from large-cap mining and oil stocks weighed.

Lehman Bros Exceeds Expectations

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

Lehman Brothers reported Q3 profit increase to $916 million, or $1.57 a share from $864 million, or $1.47 a share last year, supported by higher trading revenue. The company''s revenue in the quarter totaled $4.18 billion, compared to $3.85 billion. Company

Ford to Slash Costs

Elena
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stock market futures traded mixed ahead of third-quarter earnings release by investment-banking giant Lehman Brothers. Analysts expect Lehman to report net income of $1.49 a share. The broker upgraded Gap Inc. to overweight from equal-weight. Automaker Ford rose 3% in Frankfurt on reports it is planning to cut its white-collar costs by nearly a third.

Chip-Makers Lead Asia Higher

Ivaylo
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

Asian shares were higher on Wednesday, though, markets retreated from early gains. Japan Nikkei Average gained on separate reports from blue chip Bridgestone Corp. and truck maker Hino Motor Ltd. which stated that they will expand their international sales operations. Indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong led advancers, with property stocks and energy-sensitive issues in focus.

Europe Trades In Positive Territory

Ivaylo
13 Sep, 2006
New York City

The dollar held up positions despite weak trade data. The markets were buoyed by by overnight gains on U.S. markets, earnings news from British defense contractor BAE Systems, M&A speculation in the truck-making sector and stronger technology shares. The U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.1%, the German DAX Xetra 30 index advanced 0.2% and the French CAC-40 index increased 0.2%.