Market Update

Tech Earnings Dominate Trading

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

For the most part market ignored the rise in core PPI as reported by the government. Rise in oil price and mixed earnings in the tech sector dominated stock-specific trading. Reinsurer, PXRE Group tumbled 65% on higher charges related to Hurricane Katrnina. Global markets, especially markets in Japan, India declined by 2% and 1%. European markets closed higher, near four year high. European miners led rally across the region. Markets in Brazil and Canada lead averages higher in the Americas.

Intuit Down 9%

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Soaring oil prices, better-than-expected rise in wholesale prices and disappointing outlook from Dell sent stocks lower. However, the computer maker reported 52% profit jump in Q4, beating estimates. Nvidia said Q4 net income almost doubled to 53 cents a share, above expectations. Guess shares fell 7% on downbeat forecast for 2006. PXRE Group slid 65% after it raised its estimate of the impact of Rita and Katrina. Intuit posted 25% quarterly rise on revenue but gave a weak outlook.

Dell, Nvidia Profits Rise

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Soaring oil prices, better-than-expected rise in wholesale prices and disappointing earnings outlook from Dell sent stocks lower. However, the computer maker reported 52% profit jump in Q4 on 13% revenue growth, beating estimates. Chipmaker Nvidia said Q4 net income almost doubled to 53 cents on 12% sales growth, exceeding expectations of 49 cents a share.

Tokyo Closed 2% Lower

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets closed mixed. The Nikkei tumbled 330 points,or 2.06% on inflation concerns raised by strong GDP data, while South Korean Kospi surged 1.4%. European averages reached a fresh four-and-a-half year high in a quiet morning session. U.K''s Daily Mail & General Trust dropped over 11%. Computer maker Dell reported 52% profit jump in Q4 on 13% revenue growth, beating expectations.

Solid Jump in Housing Starts

123jump.com Staff
16 Feb, 2006
New York City

Solid rise in housing starts and stable unemployment claims gave for the second day boost to broader averages. Tech earnings, weak oil prices and busy home builders on top of busy consumers in January kept all three indexes surging for the day. Target reported earnings of $1.06 vs 91 cents a year ago. After the close Dell reported 43 cents vs. 26 cents a year ago. Intuit reported Q2 profit of $1.02 vs. 77 cents a year ago.

Administaff Climbs 15%

Elena
16 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks advanced on better-than-expected construction data and positive earnings news from Hewlett-Packard. DaimlerChrysler posted 2005 net profit rise of 15%, beating estimates. In Q4, the automaker posted 84% income rise. Arcelor plans to double its dividend, trying to fend off a hostile $21.9 billion bid from Mittal Steel. Expedia fell 16% on worse-than-expected earnings for the Q4. Administaff reported Q4 earnings of 39 cents a share on 22.8% revenue growth, beating estimates.

Expedia Drops 15%

Elena
16 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened higher, boosted by a report showing housing starts rising at their fastest pace in more than three decades and positive earnings news from Hewlett-Packard. DaimlerChrysler posted 2005 net profit rise of 15%, beating estimates. In Q4, the automaker posted 84% income rise. Arcelor plans to double its dividend to 768 million euros, trying to fend off a hostile $21.9 billion bid from Mittal Steel. Expedia fell 15% on worse-than-expected earnings for the Q4.

Arcelor Hikes Dividend, Fights Mittal

Elena
16 Feb, 2001
New York City

Asian markets closed strong, following Bernanke''s testimony and the oil prices drop. Taiwan climbed 1.44%, followed by the Nikkei, up 0.84%. European averages were led by the French CAC 40, up 0.2%. DaimlerChrysler said 2005 net profit advanced 15%, beating estimates but its operating profit dropped 10%. In Q4, the automaker posted 84% income rise. Arcelor plans to double its dividend to 768 million euros, trying to fend off a hostile $21.9 billion bid from Mittal Steel.

Oil Drops 3%

123jump.com Staff
15 Feb, 2006
New York City

Market enjoyed a mild optimistic opening after surging yesterday on strong retail sales. Generally positive comments related to economic health and 3% drop in oil kept buyers in the market for the most of the day. After-the-close HP reported better than expected earnings of 48 cents. Expedia reported earnings of 7 cents, down 43% from a year ago. Las Vegas Sands to sell 55 million shares and raise $3 billion in secondary offering. Mittal Steel posted Q4 earnings of 92 cents per share.

Interest Rate Likely to Rise

Elena
15 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks turned mixed Wednesday morning as investors digested Ben Bernanke''s first economic report before Congress. The new Fed Reserve Chairman signaled further interest-rate increases, saying that the economy is strong but inflation and other risks remain. Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. agreed to combine its investment-management business with money manager BlackRock in exchange for a nearly 50% stake in BlackRock.

Merrill and BlackRock Finalize

Elena
15 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened slightly lower as investors awaited Ben Bernanke''s first appearance as Fed Reserve Chairman and his first monetary policy testimony before the Congress. Abercrombie & Fitch posted 58% profit jump in Q4 on 40% sales growth. The retailer posted net income of $1.80 per share, beating expectations of $1.78 a share. Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. agreed to combine its investment-management business with money manager BlackRock in exchange for a nearly 50% stake in BlackRock.

Credit Suisse Drops 7%

Elena
15 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks closed broadly down ahead of Ben Bernanke''s inaugural address to the Congress. South Korean Kospi slid 1.8% and the Nikkei dropped 1.6%. European averages pushed lower at mid-day, led by the CAC 40, down 0.4%. Credit Suisse shares dropped 7% after the banking giant reported Q4 profit rise of 15% on 10% revenue growth, but disappointed with its banking performance and rising costs.

Retail Sales Drive Rally

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

Market was in a mood to rally and it was evident at the opening. The strong rise in retail sales, short covering and steady fall in oil price during the day supported broad market advances. Techs, home builders, transportation and financial sectors saw significant advances. Celebrity hotel manager, Morgans Hotel Group prices 18 million share. The stock falls below $20 IPO price. Oil drops below $60 for the first time in 2006.

Falling Oil Powers Market Rally

Elena
14 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks recovered at mid-day from a sluggish start as falling oil prices provided a boost and the Dow rose 120 points. A barrel of light crude slipped 89 cents to $60.35 a barrel on the Nymex. Citigroup upgraded Circuit City to buy from hold, saying the retailer is expected to post another two or three years of dramatic earnings growth. Deere posted Q1 profit rise of 6% or 99 cents a share on 7% sales growth, beating estimates of 83 cents a share.

Deere Beats, Stock Falls

Elena
14 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened flat, awaiting testimony from the new Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Citigroup upgraded Circuit City to buy from hold, saying the retailer is expected to post another two or three years of dramatic earnings growth. Marsh & McLennan Companies reported Q4 profits of $35 million vs. a loss of $680 million but below estimates. Deere posted Q1 profit rise of 6% or 99 cents a share on 7% sales growth, beating estimates of 83 cents a share.