Market Update

CSC in Deal Talk for $11B

Elena
04 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks were steady at opening, in line with futures predictions. Among stocks in focus, Computer Sciences is expected to be active as the company is in talks to sell itself for about $10.6 billion, and also is expected to announce 5,000 job cuts. In other news, Arcelor announced a series of measures to spurn Mittal Steel''''s hostile offer.

Walgreen Sales Rise

Elena
04 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stock futures pointed to a modestly higher start, reflecting optimism on strong corporate earnings and cautuoisness ahead of March employment report. Merrill Lynch dropped 2.8% in pre-market trading after the company said it will take a $1.2 billion charge in the Q1 after it adopts new accounting standards for stock options. Walgreen reported that March same-store sales advanced 4.3%, while total sales advanced 9.2%.

Record High Sensex in India

Elena
04 Apr, 2006
Mumbai

Sensex in India rose 74 points to a new record on strong liquidity and buying in banking stocks. Investors remain optimistic on the earnings for the new fiscal year. VSNL, Ranbaxy, Relaince Industries and ITC rose on news. Stock trading turnover remained at $1billion level in the session.

Europe Slips on Miners

Elena
04 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

European shares lost ground at mid-day, reflecting mixed close on Wall Street overnight and weakness in mining stocks like Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, which failed to sustain recent gains. The German DAX 30 fell 0.2%, the French CAC 40 lost 0.5%, and London FTSE 100 dropped 0.4%.

Techs, Banks Drag Nikkei

Elena
04 Apr, 2006
New York City

Asian markets closed mostly in the positive. However, the Nikkei ended its seven-session winning streak to close 0.2% lower, dragged by tech and exporter-related issues. Bank and insurance stocks also weighed on sentiment after a BOJ report showed that Japan

Dow Weakens in Afternoon

123jump.com Staff
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Market average gained in the morning hours on the construction industry report. Morning enthusiasm was not supported by a broad buying in the tech and stocks and other large and small caps. Construction equipment companies Catepillar, Deere, Terex, Manitowoc and Joy Global rose more than 3% at close. Emerging markets in India, Brazil and Mexico rose close to 2% and Japan, Hong Kong and Germany rose to five-year high.

Emerging Markests Register Strong Gains

123jump.com Staff
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Emerging markets register gains of close to 2% in India, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong and South Korea on steady buying from international investors. Rising commodities prices from gold, copper to oil also helped. Investors hope that economic performance of these local economies will be sustained in the second quarter of this year. India jumped 2.5% and Mexico, Brazil and Hong Kong gained 1.9% and 1.7% respectively.

Terex and BHP Lead Gainers

123jump.com Staff
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

In the early afternoon trading major averages are trading below the peak reached in the morning. Dow and S&P averages are still higher by 0.7% and 0.5% respectively but Nasdaq is close to unchaged. Telecom equipment makers and energy stocks are leading the gainers for the day. GM is reported to have agreed to sell 51% of GMAC to a private equity group of Citigroup.

European Shares Surge

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

Stocks in Europe rallied on the first day of the second quarter to finsh sharply up, reflecting solid gains in Asian markets, eased interest-rate concerns, and strength in mining and auto stocks. Takeover deals also supported sentiment with Alcatel in the spotlight after the company agreed to acquire Lucent Technologies for $14.45 billion in stock. The German DAX 30 reached a five-year high of 0.9%, the French CAC 40 advanced 0.7% and London FTSE 100 surged 1.1%.

Slower Industrial Activity

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded in the positive, lifted by acquisitions. GM announced that it is selling a 51% stake in GMAC to an investor group, including Cerberus Capital Management, Citigroup Inc. and Aozora Bank Ltd. In another takeover deal, Alcatel agreed to acquire Lucent for $13.4 billion. Verizon Communications sold its Caribbean and Latin American operations for $3.7 billion.

Alcatel Acquires Lucent for $13 B

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded in the positive, lifted by acquisitions. GM announced that it is selling a 51% stake in GMAC to an investor group, including Cerberus Capital Management, Citigroup Inc. and Aozora Bank Ltd. In another takeover deal, Alcatel agreed to acquire Lucent for $13.4 billion. Verizon Communications sold its Caribbean and Latin American operations for $3.7 billion.

Auto Sales Power India

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
Mumbai

Sensex in India rose 2.52% on robust buying from domestic and foreign institutional investors. IT stocks rose on the hopes of better than expected earnings from Infosys. Auto stocks rose strong unit sales from Bajaj, TVS and Maruti. Scooter sales for March are up 30% and auto sales are up 16%. Sensex rose from 11,000 to 11,500 in 21 trading days.

GM Sells GMAC Stake for $14 B

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened higher at the beginning of the second quarter, lifted by merger deals and expectations of solid manufacturing growth. General Motors announced a plan to sell a majority stake in GMAC for $14 billion over three years. Alcatel rallied close to 5% after unveiling its $13.5 billion stock swap for Lucent.

Strong European Rally

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

European stocks started the second quarter sharply higher, reflecting broad rally in the Asian-Pacific region and some merger-and-acquisition activity. The German DAX 30 hit a five-year high, rising 0.6% to 6,004, outpacing London FTSE 100, rising 0.6% to 6,002. The French CAC 40 also advanced 0.6%.

Asia Hits Multi-Year Highs

Elena
03 Apr, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets finished sharply higher, reaching multi-year highs. The Nikkei closed at a six-year high, rising 1.6% to 17,333.31 on improved confidence in the economic recovery and strength in the tech, banking and insurance sectors. Hong Kong Hang Seng reached a five-year peak of 1.6% to 16,063.75, supported by China Mobile and property blue-chip stocks. China Shanghai Composite rose 1.6% and Taiwan Weighted index gained 0.7%.