Market Update

Asia Gains on Weaker Yen

Ivaylo
20 Mar, 2007
New York City

Asian stocks mostly ended higher Tuesday, with the Nikkei 225 average in Tokyo advancing for the second day in a row, led by export-related shares such as Toyota Motor after the yen dipped again against the U.S. dollar and the euro. The markets in Japan were lifted by news that the Bank of Japan voted to leave monetary policy unchanged. Most markets in the region finished in positive territory with only Taiwan and New Zealand closing slightly lower.

Accredited Home Lenders up 20%

Elena
20 Mar, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock markets began trading in a mixed fashion on Tuesday, with investors cautious ahead of the Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rates, but relieved that the house construction increased. Housing starts rose 9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.525 million in February from a revised 10-year low of 1.399 million in January, beating the expectations for an increase to 1.46 million.

India Gains 0.5%, Rupee Surges

Ivaylo
20 Mar, 2007
New York City

The benchmark index opened with a positive bias but trading was volatile and the market gyrated until afternoon trade, when gathered momentum and finished in positive territory. IT stocks ended lower on stronger rupee. Banks and cement shares advanced. Ranbaxy led the advancers, while BHEL and Infosys led the decliners. Strong capital inflows drove the Indian rupee to an 18-month high against the dollar.

Europe Lower on Rate Worries

Ivaylo
20 Mar, 2007
New York City

European markets traded in a tight range on Tuesday with gains from ABN Amro and from car-makers canceled out by worries ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve next interest-rate decision and ill-received earnings from companies such as Deutsche Post. Investors took a breather after the previous session strong gains. By mid morning, Frankfurt Xetra Dax fell 0.2%, the CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.4 % and London FTSE 100 edged 0.1 % higher.

Platinum Gains, Gold Edges Higher

Ivaylo
20 Mar, 2007
New York City

Platinum made a significant advance Monday as speculative buying continued in otherwise quiet trading conditions. Gold and silver futures consolidated in relatively narrow ranges. The metals advanced modestly much of the session after Asian stocks rose overnight. The U.S. stock market was also stronger as the gold pits were closing. Energy stocks finished mostly lower with gasoline bucking the trend. Arabica coffee futures ended weaker as well as raw sugar futures.

New York, Europe Advance on Merger News

123jump.com Staff
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

Market averages rebounded after a week of sideways trading. Barclays PLC and ABN Amro Holding are in preliminary merger talks. European stocks got a lift on the news. In the U.S. ServiceMaster agreed to go private for $4.5 billion and Triad Hospital acquired Community Health Systems for $5.1 billion. Oil field service company Hurluleus paid $2.3 billion in cash to purhcase Todco. Petrobras of Brazil purchased second largest fuel disctibutor Ipiranga for $4.1 billion.

Take Two Interactive Up for Sale

123jump.com Staff
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

After a week of loss stocks regained their upward march on merger news. Community Health fell 4.2%, while Triad rose 5.4%. Drilling contractor Todco rose 19% when oil field-services company Hercules Offshore Inc. agreed to acquire the company for $2.3 billion in cash and stock. Hercules fell 6.1%. Barclays is reporteed to be in exclusive talks to buy ABN Amro Bank.

ABN Amro Fuels European Gains

Elena
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

European stocks finished Monday trading session on a positive note, boosted by deal speculation in various sectors. Dutch banking group ABN Amro led the financial sector higher, rising 9.5% amid speculation that it had received a bid offer for 81 billion-pound from Britain''s Barclays. Brokers also helped the sector, with Deutsche Bank rising 1.7% on upgrades. The U.K. FTSE 100 rose 1%, the German DAX 30 climbed 1.4%, and the French CAC-40 gained 1.4%.

Todco up 17% on $2.3 B Offer

Elena
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock averages traded sharply higher on Monday, with the Dow up 100 points, lifted by overseas gains and a series of deal announcements including merger talk between two European banks. Dutch banking group ABN Amro jumped 9% amid reports that it is in merger talks with the U.K.''s Barclays. The offer is likely to spark a bidding war. Todco soared 17% after Hercules Offshore agreed to buy it for $2.3 billion. Triad Hospitals rose 5% on $5 billion offer from Community Health.

FTSE Higher on M&A

Ivaylo
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

London equities rose on Monday as a flurry of M&A activity restored some momentum to the market. Barclays was in focus as it was revealed the British bank was among several European lenders that has made approaches to ABN Amro of the Netherlands. Mid-cap company Mothercare was also in demand as well as Laird Group. The FTSE 100 was up 28 points at 6,158.6.

Tokyo Leads Broad Advance in Asia

Ivaylo
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

Asian markets rallied Monday, with Japanese Nikkei 225 surging in the afternoon session as investors bought Advantest, NTT DoCoMo and other large-caps stocks on expectations of higher dividend payouts. The Shanghai Composite index in China reversed early losses to close higher despite the nation

ServiceMaster to be Acquired for $5.5 B

Elena
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

U.S. stocks rallied at opening Monday, boosted by gains in overseas markets and several merger deals totalling about $10 billion. Hercules Offshore dropped nearly 10% after it said it agreed to buy Todco for $2.3 billion in cash and stock. Quanta Services gained 2.5%, following an agreement to acquire InfraSource Services for $1.26 billion in stock. ServiceMaster surged over 12% after it announced thatit will be bought by an investment group for $5.5 billion, including $1.02 billion in debt.

Sensex Rallies 1.7%

Ivaylo
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

The market opened with a positive bias and despite some instability in morning trade surged, especially in late session on fresh buying in select stocks like BHEL, ONGC and Reliance Comms. Short covering in the derivatives segment also boosted sentiment. Turnover was below average due to a bank holiday on account of Gudhi Padva. ITC and Hero Honda led the decliners. The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill today.

Stock Futures Predict Gains

Elena
19 Mar, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher opening Monday, following a positive start for both European and Asian markets. In pre-market highlights, Nortel Networks dropped 2.7% after forecasting flat revenue. ServiceMaster soared 13% in the pre-open after agreeing to be bought by a private-equity consortium for about $5.5 billion, including about $1.02 billion in debt.

Europe Rallies on M&A, Metals

Ivaylo
19 Mar, 2001
New York City

European markets advanced Monday morning, as deal speculation boosted Dutch bank ABN Amro and tobacco company Altadis, while TUI gained as it agreed to merge its tourism operations with First Choice Holidays. ABN Amro rallied to a record after reports said Barclays Plc is in talks about buying the largest Dutch bank. Altadis soared, leading tobacco stocks higher. The U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.6%, the German DAX Xetra 30 Index rose 1% and the French CAC-40 index climbed 0.7%.