Market Update

India Stocks Close Lower

Elena
18 Jul, 2006
Mumbai

Market traded in the usual volatile fashion but maintained the negative trading bias throughout the day. The Sensex index traded lower on the fall in metals, energy and consumer stocks. Earnings reports from several companies met market expectations. Oil rose in the Asian trading. International investors continue to sell in the last three days of sell-off.

Strong Earnings Boost Market

Elena
18 Jul, 2006
New York City

Stocks showed a strong upward move at the start of trading as stronger-than-expected earnings from major companies offset worries about Mideast fighting, rising oil and growing inflation. United Technologies, industrial company, reported Q2 earnings rise to $1.1 billion or $1.09 a share, from $971 million, or 95 cents a share a year ago. The company boosted its 2006 earnings and revenue outlook.

Merrill Lynch Profit up 42%

Elena
18 Jul, 2006
New York City

The Coca-Cola Co. reported a 7% increase in Q2 profit on a modest rise in sales, beating expectations. The beverage maker said it earned $1.84 billion, or 78 cents a share, up from $1.72 billion, or 72 cents a share a year ago. Merrill Lynch posted 42% profit growth in Q2 as the company managed a strong performance in its proprietary stock trading. The company reported a profit of $1.63 per share, compared with $1.14 per share last year on 29% revenue increase.

Oil Rises on Mid-East

Elena
18 Jul, 2006
New York City

Oil prices rebounded Tuesday, recovering from a steep decline yesterday as ongoing fighting in the Mideast added more tension to the already jittery market. U.S. inventory figures were also awaited with expectations of drops in gasoline supplies and a slight increase in crude levels.

Nikkei, Kospi Catch up with Broad Losses

Elena
18 Jul, 2006
New York City

Asian markets finished in the red as modest U.S. gains overnight and retreating oil failed to prevent the heavy sell-off. The ongoing violent conflict in the Middle East also weighed on sentiment. The Nikkei dropped for a fifth consecutive session, down 2.75%. South Korea''s Kospi tumbled 1.73%. China

Earnings In View

123jump.com Staff
17 Jul, 2006
New York City

After falling for three days with a nearly 3% decline in popular averages last week, market managed to stabilize. Earnings brought a sharp focus to Citigroup, McDonalds, Commerce Bancorp, Eaton Corp. and Harley Davidson. The companies are reporting healthy gains in earnings on more than 5% to 10% rise in sales. Citigroup reported second-quarter earnings of $1.05 per share. Asian and European markets closed lower. Gold fell $16 and oil dropped $1.73 to $75.30 per barrel.

Philips Helps Limit European Losses

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets closed below the flat line on continuing worries over the escalating conflict in the Mideast. However, positive opening on Wall Street due to strong same-store sales for MacDonald

India Down 3% Despite Rising Earnings

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
Mumbai

General market weakness on the rising oil price and Israel military incursion in the Middle-East kept international investors from buying in Indian stocks. However, domestic investors bought shares on earnings news. With the earnings season in full swing, consumer and industrial companies reported strong rise in earnings. Pharmaceuticals and select tech companies missed expectations.

Oil and Banking Stocks Decline

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
New York City

Stock averages reversed from an earlier strength as a notable decline for Citigroup dragged banking stocks lower and lower crude oil prices pressured major oil companies. Student Loan, educational lender majority owned by Citigroup Inc., reported a 26% increase in its Q2 profit to $101.8 million, or $5.09 per share, from $80.9 million, or $4.05 per share last year.

Stocks Gain on Upbeat Economic Data

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened modestly higher as strong manufacturing data helped offset market jitters about the escalating fighting in the Mideast and a series of bland earnings reports. Mattel, the world''s No.1 toymaker, swung to a Q2 profit with earnings of 10 cents per share versus a loss of 23 cents per share a year ago. Eaton, industrial products manufacturer, reported a 21% increase in its Q2 profit to $1.64 per share, up from $1.37 a year ago.

Citigroup Meets Estimates

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower market opening, as investors grew worried over the conflict in the Middle East, and earnings failed to lift the market sentiment. Citigroup''s profit came in line with the analyst estimates. The financial services institution posted Q2 profit growth of 4% to $1.05 per share, up from 97 cents a share a year ago. Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson reported a 3% rise in quarterly earnings to 91 cents per share versus 84 cents last year.

Oil Climbs on Mideast Conflict

Elena
17 Jul, 2006
New York City

Crude oil prices further advanced on Monday, reflecting more geopolitical uncertainty in the market on escalating fighting between Israel and militants in Lebanon. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called Monday for the deployment of international forces to stop the bombardment of Israel from southern Lebanon.

Retailers and Home Builders, Lower Market

123jump.com Staff
14 Jul, 2006
New York City

Rising oil, weak retail sales, earnings warnings from a home builder and widening conflict driven by Israel aggression all contributed to the makret sell-off. June retail sales declined 0.1%, oil traded as high as $79 per barrle and gold climbed back to $668 per ounce. D R Horton missed earnings estimates and lowered fiscal earnings guidance. Continued violence in the Mid-East threatens the world oil price. Bank of Japan raised interest rate to 0.25% after five year of zero-rate policy.

Europe Loses On Record Oil

Elena
14 Jul, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets closed deeply in the red for a second day in a row due to surging oil prices and weakness on Wall Street. Crude oil hovered below the $78 a barrel amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East. The German DAX 30 closed down 1.9% and 5% lower for the whole week, with warning from SAP contributing to the decline. The French CAC 40 slipped 1.5%, while London FTSE 100 fell 1%.

Soaring Oil Pressures Stocks

Elena
14 Jul, 2006
New York City

Surging oil prices of nearly $78 a barrel, weaker retail sales, and bland earnings at General Electric sent stocks deeply in the red. In economic news, the Department of Labor reported that import prices increased modestly by 0.1%, while export prices notably rose by 0.8%. Petco Animal Supplies jumped $8.43 to $27.88 after it agreed to be taken private for $29 per share, or $1.68 billion.