Market Update

Fading Trading

Elena
30 Dec, 2005
New York City

The last trading session of 2005 opened in the negative as investors gave up on the fading fourth-quarter rally and locked in gains made throughout the year. With very little news to drive buying, the Dow Jones industrial average is likely to close 2005 with a loss for the first time since 2002. The other two major averages are expected to finish with modest gains.

Citigroup Offers $3 B for Chinese Lender Stake

Elena
30 Dec, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks finished mixed to lower, led by the Nikkei, down 1.4% on profit-taking. For the whole year the Japanese index gained 40.24%. Another loser of the session was Hong Kong''s Hang Seng, down 1.12% with a total gain for the year of 4.5%. India''s BSE advanced 0.7%. European stocks were also weak with the German DAX 30 and the French CAC 40 the biggest losers, down 1.1% and 1.2% respectively.

Weak Existing Home Sales

123jump.com Staff
29 Dec, 2005
New York City

With less than a day left hopes of market rally are fading very quickly. Oil jumped above $60 as weekly petroleum report suggested declining oil crude inventory. Jobless claims were unchanged for the previous week. Existing home sales for November month fell below 7 million units for the first time since the month of March 2005. For the year, GM shares have declined 50% draging with it Dow Jones Industrial Average yearly gain to mere 0.02%.

Hilton Brands Reunite

Elena
29 Dec, 2001
New York City

Thursday morning stocks were flat, trading in a narrow range as investors largely ignored economic data. Initial jobless claims in the week ended Dec 24 rose to 322,000 from 319,000 last week, vs. estimates of a rise of 325,000. In another report, the National Associations of Realtors said that existing home sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.97 million units in Nov from a 7.09 million unit rate in Oct, slightly below estimates.

Oil Piles up, Gasoline down

Elena
29 Dec, 2001
New York City

Stocks edged up at the start of Thursday trading, but the major averages came off intraday highs with little news to boost their way up. Traders largely ignored initial jobless claims data. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims in the week ended Dec 24 rose to 322,000 from 319,000 last week, vs. estimates of a rise of 325,000. Weekly petroleum report is also expected with energy prices down, making effort to rally the market.

Jobless Claims Rise

Elena
29 Dec, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks rallied Thursday with the Nikkei in the lead, rising 0.9% to a new multi-year high of 16,344.20 on expectations of strong corporate profit and economic growth. European markets slightly advanced at mid-day, suppported by miners and insurers with each average rising 0.3%. InterDigital Communications said that a federal judge confirmed an award against mobile phone making giant Nokia Corp. for between $232 million and $252 million.

Holiday Sales Drive Stock Market

123jump.com Staff
28 Dec, 2005
New York City

Rising consumer sentiment and steady retail sales growth for holiday sales brough traders back to the market. Oil market was on the edge as Iran called for deeper cuts in OPEC production targets. Flat bond yield curve dominated trader-talk in the bond and stock marekts trading. General Motors stock dropped 2% totaling a loss of 50% for the year. Whole Foods stock is added to S&P 500 index.

OPEC to Cut Output

Elena
28 Dec, 2005
New York City

Stocks rose in early trading hours as Consumer Confidence Index for December notably improved to 103.6 from 98.3 in November and Treasury yield curve flattened, following yesterday''''s inversion. However, early gains were offset by rising crude oil prices as Iran called OPEC to consider lowering its output by 1 million barrels a day at the meeting on Jan.31st.

Consumer Confidence Improves

Elena
28 Dec, 2005
New York City

U.S. stocks opened higher ahead of data and as the Treasury yield curve flattened. The Conference Board said that Consumer Confidence Index rose to 103.6 in December from a downwardly revised 98.3 in November, below expectations of 105.0. In earnings news, CBRL Group posted higher same-store restaurant sales for December and projected Q2 earnings between 56 and 61 cents a share. Cal-Maine Foods reported a narrower Q2 loss of 3 cents a share on sales growth.

DaimlerChrysler Sells a Unit

Elena
28 Dec, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets closed mixed with the Nikkei rising sharply to hit a five-year high of 1.4% at 16,194.61 on expectations exporter issues will gain on stronger dollar. European stocks traded mostly lower at mid-day, despite positive German consumer confidence data with he French CAC being the biggest loser, down 0.2%. The Conference Board is expected to report that the index of consumer confidence rose to 101.8 in December from 98.9 in November.

Broader Averages Decline 1%

123jump.com Staff
27 Dec, 2005
New York City

The difference in yield between short and long term yield shrank close to zero sparking a debate on probability of recession in the coming quarters. Retail stocks failed to rally on the news of stronger holiday sales than a year ago. Natural gas price fell 10% in the session and has dropped close to 25% in less than ten trading days.

Oil and Tech Stocks Fall

Elena
27 Dec, 2005
New York City

A decline in oil and natural gas prices, optimism on holiday shopping season, and a $2.5 billion aircraft order for Boeing sent averages modestly higher at the opening of Tuesday session. At mid-day stocks changed direction as investors locked in early gains and the major averages moved into the negative territory with the Nasdaq being the biggest decliner.

$2.5 B Order for Boeing

Elena
27 Dec, 2005
New York City

After the long holiday weekend U.S. stock markets opened higher, boosted by a decline in oil prices, gains in Caterpillar, Boeing and Honeywell, and signs that retailers had respectable holiday sales with U.S. consumer spending up 8.7% during the holiday shopping period. As many traders are still away for the holiday and no major news is scheduled for the day, a day of light trading is expected with traders focused on treasury notes.

Oil Prices Slip 1%

Elena
27 Dec, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks finished mixed with several bourses still closed. The Nikkei dropped 0.9%, retreating from record highs on consumer prices data. European sttocks slightly advanced at mid-day with Belgium brewing company InBev in the spotlight. Guidant warned that its Q4 profit will fall short of estimates. The company projected earnings in the range of 17 cents to 23 cents per share on revenue of $790 to $820 million.

iPod Powers Holiday Sales

Elena
26 Dec, 2005
New York City

Hectic post-holiday shopping started early Monday morning as retailers offered discounts, extended shopping hours and fresh new merchandise, making effort to salvage holiday-season sales. Shoppers focused on the discounted holiday merchandise, from ornaments to sweaters. The world