Market Update

Marsh & McLennan Returns to Profit

Elena
14 Feb, 2001
New York City

Asian benchmarks closed broadly in the positive with the Nikkei surging to 1.9%. European averages lost ground at mid-day. The biggest decliner was the French CAC 40, down 0.5%. 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, an improvement from the year-earlier loss of $680 million but below estimates.

Nasdaq Slips 1%

Elena
13 Feb, 2006
New York City

Google slid 4.4% on a report, warning about intensifying competition from Microsoft and Yahoo. Tech stocks slipped with Apple falling 2.8%, Yahoo losing 1.4%, and Microsoft down 1.1%. Investors were also nervous about the course of interest rates ahead of a speech from new Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Rate-sensitive stocks, including Caterpillar and Citigroup slid 1% each.

Techs Slide on Google

Elena
13 Feb, 2006
New York City

A report warning about intensifying competition for Google dragged tech stocks with Apple falling 2.8% and Yahoo losing 1.4%. There was no major economic or earnings news Monday. Investors were also nervous about the course of interest rates ahead of a speech from new Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Merrill Lynch drew a positive reaction with news that it is near a deal to buy half of fund manager BlackRock for about $8 billion.

Merrill Lynch in $8 B Deal

Elena
13 Feb, 2006
New York City

A report warning about intensifying competition for Google from Yahoo and Microsoft, as well as the absence of major economic and earnings news, sent stocks lower. Merrill Lynch drew a positive reaction with news that it is near a deal to buy half of fund manager BlackRock for about $8 billion. Microsoft released software with push e-mail function built-in for handheld devices made by HewlettPackard, Chunghwa Telecom, Asus and Fujitsu Siemens.

Microsoft to Provide Mobile E-mail

Elena
13 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian markets closed mostly weak, led by the Nikkei with a drop of 2.3% on strong export data. South Korean Kospi and Astralia All Ordinaries fell 1%, while India Sensex index gained 0.4%. European shares traded higher at mid-day supported by auto stocks. Merrill Lynch is near a deal to buy half of fund manager BlackRock for about $8 billion. Microsoft released software with push e-mail function built-in for handheld devices made by HewlettPackard, Chunghwa Telecom.

Market Climbs Back

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

It was a day of turnaround. Market changed its direction and made a comeback on falling oil price and strength in tech, industrial and financial stocks. Insurance stocks rallied on positive earnings news from MetLife and AON Corp. Record trade deficit of $725 B in 2005 did not have any impact on traders. U.S. registered higher trade deficit with China, Japan, Europe, Canada and Mexico.

Tech Stocks Slide

Elena
10 Feb, 2006
New York City

Disappointing outlook from Pfizer and record-high trade deficit for 2005 sent stocks to the downside. Pfizer projected flat sales for 2006 and earnings of $2 a share, below estimates of $2.03. Oracle revealed that it had closed its $5.9 billion acquisition of Siebel Systems and will cut 2,000 jobs. Among today''s tech winners were TriZetto, up 17%, McAfee, up 12%, and Ultimate software rising 5%. Quality Systems, Intel, Apple and Microsoft declined.

Pfizer Outlook Disappoints

Elena
10 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened in the negative, dragged by disappointing outlook from Dow component Pfizer and record-high trade deficit for 2005. Pfizer projected flat sales for 2006 and earnings of $2 a share, below estimates of $2.03. Oracle revealed that it had closed its $5.9 billion acquisition of Siebel Systems and will cut 2,000 jobs. The company gave a profit outlook for the remainder of the year roughly in line with estimates.

Record Deficit of $726 B

Elena
10 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian benchmarks closed mixed. The Nikkei finished down 1.1%, while South Korean Kospi surged 1.9%. European Averages lost ground with the German DAX 30 and London FTSE 100 down 0.6%. Oracle Corp. said it will cut 2,000 jobs in connection with its acquisition of Siebel Systems. The U.S. trade deficit gained 1.5% to $65.7 billion in Dec., and soared to an all-time high of $725.8 B in 2005, pushed upward by record imports of consumer goods.

Small Caps Deliver Earnings

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

Today''''s rally can take market ony so far. The early morning momentum did not last till the end of the day. Strong batch of earnings from large insurance and small tech companies provided suport for broader averages. Labor conditions were reported again tight in the recent initial unemployment claims. Akamai, Navteq, Cognizant and Amkor Tech deliver positive earnings surprises. Whole Foods and K-swiss fell on earnings news.

AIG to Settle for $1.64 B

Elena
09 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks gained Thursday morning, lifted by better-than-expected unemployment figures and upbeat earnings news. Aetna reported Q4 income rise of $1.42 a share on 14% revenue growth, beating forecasts of $1.23 a share. Whole Foods posted Q1 profit jump of 28% on record sales but missed expectations. Cognizant Q4 income rose 89% on 49% revenue growth, beating estimates. AIG said it will settle charges for $1.64 B related to accounting, financial reporting and brokerage practices.

Whole Foods Profits Below Forecasts

Elena
09 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened higher, lifted by better-than-expected unemployment figures and word of job cuts at Oracle Corp. In earnings news, Aetna reported Q4 income rise of $1.42 a share on 14% revenue growth, beating forecasts of $1.23 a share. Marriott reported 25% profit growth in Q4 on 16% higher revenue, beating forecasts. Whole Foods posted Q1 profit jump of 28% on record sales but missed expectations. Cognizant said Q4 income rose 89% on 49% revenue growth, beating estimates.

Unemployment Slightly up

Elena
09 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian benchmarks rebounded from Wednesday losses to finish largely higher with the Nikkei in the lead rising 1.03%, followed by South Korean Kospi, up 0.8%, and Australia All Ordinaries, up 0.9%. European averages gained ground with the German DAX 30 and London FTSE 100 climbing 0.7%. In earnings news, Aetna reported Q4 income rise of $1.42 a share on 14% revenue growth, beating forecasts of $1.23 a share. Marriott reported 25% profit growth in Q4 on 16% higher revenue, beating forecasts.

Cisco Powers Tech Rally

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

It was a day of optimism. Falling oil price, better than expected earnings from Communication equipment leader Cisco and strong rise in same-store sales from McDonalds kept market in the plus column for the day. General Motors stock fell 4% on analyst downgrade to,sell, and lowered price target to $17 from $22. After-the-close, Whole Foods reported earnings of 40 cents vs. 36 cents a year ago on revenue growth of 22%. It was the ninth straight quarter of double digit earnings growth.

Univision Rallies 10%

Elena
08 Feb, 2006
New York City

The tech sector helped market recover Wednesday after Cisco posted better-than-expected earnings results and upbeat outlook. Tech stocks were also helped by a brokerage upgrade of Dell Inc. to outperform. Traders reacted positively to the earnings news from PepsiCo and January same-store sales from McDonald''s. Univision Communications rallied about 10% on reports that it will put itself up for sale.