Market Update

Oil Up 1%, Dow and Nasdaq Down

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

Market averages could not shake off the selling sentiment that gradually strengthened during the trading hours. At close Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 fell. HP fell close to 5% on the worries that CEO may have played bigger than anticipated role in a recent scandal involving board members. Wal-Mart launched a pilot program to offer generic drugs at a cheaper price for 300 drugs. Oil recovered 1.4%. Thailand dropped 4% at opening but closed 1.4% lower.

Europe Up On Weaker Oil

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets finished higher as automakers and chemicals companies benefited from weaker oil prices. BMW and Volkswagen each rose more than 1%, and chemicals companies BASF and Akrema advanced 2%. The German DAX 30 added 0.1%, the French CAC 40 advanced 0.3%, while London FTSE 100 rose 0.5%.

HP Drags Dow and S&P 500

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

Market was dragged down by drug store shares after Wal-Mart Stores announced it was slashing prices of generic drugs in Florida, but an advance by energy stocks helped offset losses. Hewlett-Packard was the biggest drag on the Dow and the S&P 500, falling 3.6% on media reports that its CEO may have been more closely involved in a board-leak investigation than previously reported.

Tax Collection, Short Covering

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

The benchmark index finished well above the psychologically important 12,000 level in a broad-based rally in a firm trading session. Advance tax collections in September have grown a sturdy 32.5% and together with the U.S. Fed decision to keep key US interest rates unchanged and a steady drop in global crude oil price bolstered the maket. Bajaj Auto, BHEL, Hindustan Lever led the advancers. Reliance Communications and Hero Honda led the decliners.

Fedex Earnings Jump 40%

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stocks started trading higher Thursday, boosted by renewed confidence after the Fed Reserve left interest rates unchanged. In corporate news, Fedex posted Q1 profit rose 40% amid strong demand for ground and international express shipments. The company said costs from a proposed new contract with its pilots'' union would cut Q2 earnings. Cisco Systems rose 0.5% after Piper Jaffray upgraded the networking giant to outperform from market perform.

FTSE Higher on Morrison Performance

Ivaylo
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

In London, there was a speculative feel to trading, as Anglo-American surged on rumours that a Chinese mining company was looking to acquire a stake. Wm Morrison announced strong prformance after half-year profits and news on current trading exceeding forecasts. By mid-session, the FTSE 100 recovered from a dull opening to trade 0.5% higher.

ConAgra Profit Falls, Beats Estimate

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock futures indicated a higher market opening, lifted by strong earnings, lower oil prices and unchanged key interest rates. ConAgra Foods posted higher-than-expected earnings, despite a profit drop because of higher energy and ingredients expenses. Transportation company FedEx reported strong revenue and earnings growth. Shares in the company rose 0.4% before the bell.

German Merck Buys Serono for $13.3 B

Elena
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

Merck said it agreed to buy the Bertarelli family''s 64.5% stake in Serono for 1,100 Swiss francs a share and will launch a public offer for the outstanding shares at the same price. The offer is at a 20% premium to Wednesday''s closing price of 915 Swiss francs a share.

Exporters Lead Asia Higher

Ivaylo
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

Asian markets advanced modestly on Thursday as some exporters, including Honda Motor, made gains from a rise in Japan trade surplus and the U.S. Federal Reserve decision not to hike interest rates, while China Mobile helped push Hong Kong to a six-year high. Also, Japanese stocks recovered from Wednesday lows, led by oil-sensitive rubber and automobile stocks owing to an overnight decline in oil prices.

Europe Higher on Merger Activity

Ivaylo
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

The fact that German pharma company Merck has agreed to obtain a majority stake in Serono and the bid speculation in the Spanish property sector boosted Eurpean markets on Thursday. After a difficult morning, the FTSE climbed out of early losses as gains in the mining sector offset a slide in oil stocks. The FTSE 100 was up 0.31% at 5,873.6, while the German Xetra Dax added 0.2% and the French CAC 40 gained 0.2%.

Gold Higher Ahead of Fed Decision

Ivaylo
21 Sep, 2006
New York City

The U.S. Federal Reserve later held interest rates steady a second straight time. The FOMC voted 10-1 to keep the federal funds rate at 5.25%. Some of the negative sentiment on the metals in overnight trade was countered by a little bit of physical dealing. Gold and silver had retreated in overnight screen trading. Copper advanced slightly.

Unchanged Rates, Falling Oil

123jump.com Staff
20 Sep, 2001
New York City

Federal Reserve left targeted discount rate unchanged to 5.25%, as widely expected. Ten of the eleven members of the committee voted in favor leaving the rate unchaged for the second time in a row. Fed refrenced to declining energy prices since August will help consumers in the accompanying notes and also noted that inflation pressures remain at elevated levels. Oil dropped 2%.

Europe Surges on Strong Buying Interest

Elena
20 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets closed steeply higher as software company SAP and supermarkets Ahold and Delhaize lifted buying interest. A notable decline by crude oil prices helped airline stocks move higher. The German DAX 30 surged 1.4%, helped by SAP and tire maker Continental. The French CAC 40 rallied 1.5%. London FTSE 100 advanced 0.5%, supported by hedge-fund operator Man Group.

Market Rallies, S&P 500 Hits a New High

Elena
20 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stock averages rallied ahead of Fed Reserve''''s decision on interest rates. The S&P 500 hit a new 5 1/2-year high as upbeat results at Oracle Corp. and Morgan Stanley boosted investor confidence before the third-quarter earnings season. Boeing rose 1.6% on a news report that a consortium led by the aerospace giant appeared as the winner of a federal contract to provide infrastructure and monitoring system to help improve U.S. border security.

Sensex Hits 4-Month High

Elena
20 Sep, 2006
New York City

Despite tumbling over 100 points at the start, the benchmark Sensex recovered in later trading due mostly to the fall in crude oil price and the expectations that RBI may keep interest rates unchanged at its credit policy next month. Cellular services providers, auto stocks and consumer products companies were in focus. Bharti Airtel, Reliance Comms, ONGC and HDFC led the advancers. HDFC Bank and BHEL led the decliners.