Market Update

Europe Benefits From U.S. Rally

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets finished slightly higher, supported by strong rally on Wall Street. Electronics giant Phillips Electronics and retailor Hennes & Mauritz also provided a boost, rising 4.7% and 4% respectively. The German DAX 30 added 0.2%, the French CAC 40 gained 0.1%, and London FTSE 100 edged up 0.1%.

Oil Inventories Build up

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded higher, boosted by strong earnings. Morgan Stanley rose $2.95, or 5.2%, to $59.97 after its Q2 profits jumped on record revenue, exceeding analyst expectations. FedEx Corp. rose $4.33, or 4%, to $112.65, after it reported a 27% jump in Q4 earnings, citing solid economic growth. Darden Restaurants rose $1.98 to $37.54 after reporting strong Q4 profit and same-store sales.

Large Cap Rally in India

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
Mumbai

The market rallied today supported by strong buying momentum for large-cap stocks in a highly volatile trading. Aggressive buying continued throughout the session, with a strong market-breadth. Volatility was high, as investors rushed to buy stocks. Generic drug maker Dr Reddy

FedEx Exceeds Expectations

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
New York City

FedEx reported Q4 earnings of $1.82 per share on $8.49 billion in revenue, up from $1.46 per share on $7.72 billion in revenue a year ago. Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.77 per share on $8.42 billion in revenue. The company projected earnings of $1.45 to $1.60 per share in Q1 and $6.45 to $6.80 per share in the full year.

Morgan Stanley Net Doubles

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
New York City

Morgan Stanley Inc. reported that Q2 profit more than doubled on record revenue driven by stronger underwriting, merger and acquisition, and trading results. Net income rose to $1.86 per share from 86 cents per share a year earlier, beating estimates of $1.45 a share. Fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz AB posted a 12% increase in Q2 profit, helped by a spike in May sales.

Japan Resumes U.S. Beef Imports

Elena
21 Jun, 2006
New York City

Japan agreed to resume U.S. beef imports on the condition that no further problems during onsite inspections would occur. Officials from Japan''s health and agriculture ministries will inspect 35 meatpacking plants certified to ship beef to Japan to see if they are complying with export requirements.

Japan Falls, Hong Kong Rises

Ivaylo
21 Jun, 2006
New York City

A survey posted Wednesday morning by Japan''''s Finance Ministry showed that large Japanese companies were less bullish about the economy in April-June than in the previous quarter. Hong Kong''''s Hang Seng Index finished the day up, but the market did not have any direction and traders were waiting for interest rate news from the U.S.

Europe Widens Early Losses

Ivaylo
21 Jun, 2006
Frankfurt

European shares edged down on Wednesday, with gains held in check by interest-rate tightening concerns on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet testified before the European parliament that risks to price stability prevail and that oil price pass-though will lift consumer prices in 2007. The European economy is, however, evolving in line with the central bank''s assessment, he added.

Gold Rallies On Short Covering

Ivaylo
21 Jun, 2006
Metals

It seems that a number of market participants have begun to view the $570 level as a value area for gold. Investors believe that a consolidation phase through mid-August is possible, which is traditionally the case. Nevertheless, the market is closely observing economic and political events, which could precipitate a big move sooner.

Housing Report Supports Dow

123jump.com Staff
20 Jun, 2006
New York City

Market advanced on housing report. Steep decline in housing market is what investors are worried about, however housing report indicated a slow and steady decline in the housing market. Housing starts in May rose 5% after falling 5.4% in April. Building permits fell 2.1%. Housing stocks however did not rally after the report. Stocks now trade near eighteen-month low. Oil dropped and gold rose. Markets in Asia fell, led by a 3% declie in Taiwan. European markets gained. Mexico rose 1.3%.

Home Builders Trade At Bottom

123jump.com Staff
20 Jun, 2006
New York City

Market averages remain in the positive zone on new home starts and building permit report for the month of May. New home starts in May rose 5% but building permits fell 2.1%. Oil gained. Home builder stocks declined to eighteen-month low on the report. Lennar, Horton, Hovnanian,Toll Bros and Beazer dropped on the news. Several of these stocks are no trading near book value.

Miners Boost Europe

Elena
20 Jun, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets gained Tuesday, boosted by strength in metals stocks and positive U.S. market opening on better-than-anticipated housing starts data. Among resource stocks, miner BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto were the biggest gainers together with Steelmaker Mittal Steel, which rose 1.9%. The German DAX 30 surged 1%, the French CAC 40 rose 0.9%, and London FTSE 100 gained 0.6%.

Mittal and Arcelor Continue Deal Talk

Elena
20 Jun, 2006
New York City

The letter, published in the Financial Times, said the $16 billion agreed merger of Severstal and Arcelor would give Severstal-owner Alexei Mordashov control over the new company. Arcelor said it would cancel its deal with Severstal if shareholders representing 50% of the capital voted against the tie-up. Mittal rose 0.9% in Amsterdam, while Arcelor advanced 0.9% in Paris.

Volatile India Down 1.8%

Elena
20 Jun, 2006
Mumbai

The Sensex in India fell Tuesday breaking three days of gain in a row. Weakness in markets across the region sparked profit-taking in a highly volatile session. Small and mid-cap stocks rallied but broader averages declined with metal, auto and cement stocks were among the biggest decliners.

Housing Starts Rise Above Expectations

Elena
20 Jun, 2006
New York City

New housing construction rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.957 million units in May from a revised rate of 1.863 million units in April. Economists had expected housing starts to rise to a 1.870 million unit rate. The report also showed that building permits fell 2.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.932 million units from an unrevised 1.973 million unit rate in April.