Market Update

Wal-Mart Rises on Jobs Plan

Elena
20 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks traded higher in the early going, lifted by acquisition news and optimism over interest-rate hikes. In corporate news, Merck & Co. is expected to announce a deal with privately held Neuromed Pharmaceuticals to develop painkilling drugs. Wal-Mart Stores announced it could hire 150,000 people in China over the next 5 years and open 20 stores in the country in 2006. Williams-Sonoma Inc. reported 6% profit rise for Q4, above expectations.

Deals Lift Stocks

Elena
20 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced at opening with interest rates in focus ahead of Ben Bernanke''s speech after close. Market sentiment was lifted by acquisition news and optimism over interest-rate hikes. Merck & Co. is expected to announce a deal with privately held Neuromed Pharmaceuticals to develop painkilling drugs. Wal-Mart Stores announced it could hire 150,000 people in China over the next 5 years and open 20 stores in the country in 2006.

Michaels up 13% on Sale

Elena
20 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stock futures pointed to a higher start of Monday session with interest rates in focus ahead of Ben Bernanke''s speech after close. Market sentiment was lifted by acquisition news and optimism that interest-rate hikes are almost done. Michaels Stores rose 13% before opening after the company announced it put itself up for a sale.

Prudential Rejects $30 B Bid

Elena
20 Mar, 2006
New York City

European stocks gained at mid-day dealings as continuous merger speculations lifted the insurance sector. Strong resource stocks and higher close of U.S. markets Friday also contributed to the advance. The German DAX 30 gained 0.6%, the French CAC 40 gained 0.5%, and London FTSE 100 was up 0.5%.

Australia, Japan Hit Highs

Elena
20 Mar, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets closed higher Monday, lifted by upbeat outlook on corporate results and strong resource sector on higher metals prices. The Nikkei surged 1.7% to 16,632.74, supported by strong earnings reports. Australia All Ordinaries hit an all-time high of 0.6% at 5,000.4, reflecting strength in mining and resource stocks. Hong Kong''s Hang Seng rose 0.8%, while South Korean Kospi gained 0.4% on brokerage firms.

Dow UP 5.3%, Nasdaq UP 4.6%

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

Broader averages found their stable footings in a month when investors are ready for a sell-off. Techs lagged the gains in broader averages but still managed to rise. Crude oil and natural gas advanced 6% and 7% respectively. General Motors closed 5% lower on accounting errors and 2005 loss revision by $2 billion. Emerging markets had a sharp correction in the Middle East but Mexico, Brazil and India gained for the week.

BRIC Markets Rise

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

Emerging markets for the week advanced in Mexico, India and Brazil but Middle Eastern markets corrected sharply. Mexico advanced every day of the week. Brazil rose on 75 basis points interest decline and India rose on steady flow of funds from local and foreign investors. Dubai, Egypt and Saudi Arabia crashed between 20% and 30% for the week from the three-year highs. Egypt and Dubai has scaled more than 1,000% gains since the year 2002.

GM Revises 2005 Loss - $2 B

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

It was another day of denials and disappointments at General Motors. The company reported that the annual loss for the year 2005 will be revised to $10.6 billion, by $2 billion, and restate earnings dating back to the year 2000. The accounting errors are related to Delphi bankruptcy filing liabilities, restructuring costs and commercial division of GMAC.

Europe Declines From Highs

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages closed mixed, erasing some of the earlier gains. Markets sharply advanced at mid-day, lifted by strong rally in the insurance sector but eventually finished off highs. London FTSE 100 hit an intra-day high, crossing the 6,000 level for the first time in five years, but closed only 0.1% up. The French CAC 40 rose 0.3%, while the German DAX 30 fell 0.3%.

Boeing Hits New High

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stocks have traded in a narrow range since opening. Boeing was the most conspicuous gainer within the Dow, up 1.3%. United Technologies rose 1.2%. Other notable movers to the upside were Merck, Pfizer and General Electric, each rising 0.8%. General Motors dropped 3.2% on announcement that company would delay the filing of its annual report, due to an accounting issue. AIG fell 2.4% on disappointing Q4 earnings.

Consumer Sentiment Disappoints

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks slightly advanced as upbeat data on industrial production offset disappointing news from General Motors and American International Group. GM shares fell 2.4% on report that its 2005 loss was $2 billion deeper than previously reported. AIG fell 2.5% on 72% drop in Q4 profit, citing a legal settlement charge and hurricane losses. Google said it expects its 2006 capital expenditures to exceed significantly the $838.2 million it spent last year.

Industrial Output Recovers on Utilities

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks opened higher, awaiting key consumer sentiment report. General Motors and American International Group weighed on the Dow. GM shares fell 2.4% on report that its 2005 loss was $2 billion deeper than previously reported. AIG fell 2.5% on 72% drop in Q4 profit, citing a legal settlement charge and hurricane losses.

AIG Profit Drops 72%

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stock futures pointed to a lackluster opening on cautiousness ahead of key consumer sentiment report. General Motors and American International Group weighed on the Dow. GM shares fell 4% before the bell on report that its 2005 loss was $2 billion deeper than previously reported. AIG fell 1.4% on 72% drop in Q4 profit, citing a legal settlement charge and hurricane losses.

Insurers Lift Europe

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages posted solid gains at mid-day on strong insurance stocks, including Zurich Financial, Prudential, and Royal & Sun. London FTSE 100 hit a five-year high, rising 0.8% to 6,041. The French CAC rose 0.8% and the German DAX 30 gained 0.75.

India Gains 1%

Elena
17 Mar, 2006
New York City

Indian market remains a favorite destination of emerging market investors. For the week the index rose 0.9% and industrial, media, banks and software consulting companies rose. The markets in Gulf region suffered worst declines ever in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Egypt. Indexes in Dubai, Egypt and Saudi Arabia lost between 20% and 30% this week. Since 2002 these markets have gained between 600% and 1,200% before this correction.