Market Update

Morgan Stanley Up 49%

Elena
20 Dec, 2005
New York City

According to a report, released by the Labor Department Producer price index declined 0.7% in November, seasonally adjusted, following a 0.7% rise in October and a 1.9% gain in September. The Commerce Department said that housing starts rose to an annualized rate of 2.123 million homes in November, up from October''s rate of 2.014.

Wholesale Inflation Falls

Elena
20 Dec, 2005
New York City

Producer price index declined 0.7% in November, seasonally adjusted, following a 0.7% rise in October and a 1.9% gain in September. Asian markets finished mostly higher with the Nikkei up 1.6% on on news that AIG will buy Tokyo property for $3.5 billion. European stocks declined on tech and construction stocks.

Familiar Late Afternoon Sell-off

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

Market played to a familiar tone of morning rally followed by a late afternoon sell-off. Tech stocks rallied in the morning only to face few semiconductor stocks downgrades. Retailers advanced on strong weekend buying from consumers. Gold rose, oil fell but natural gas rose at close. Google rose to all-time high of $446 before tracking all the way back to $426. Google was added to Nasdaq 100 index.

Market Ignores Pfizer, Google, FPL

Elena
19 Dec, 2005
New York City

Stocks traded mixed Monday morning, despite a strong initial boost from merger and corporate news. Pfizer rose 11% after exclusivity of two of its patents was upheld. FPL Group confirmed a deal to buy Constellation Energy Group for $11 billion, creating one of the nation''''s biggest energy suppliers. Google gained 3.2% on a reported 5% stake in Time Warner''''s AOL division for $1 billion, pacing out Microsoft Corp.

Circuit City Tops Estimate

Elena
19 Dec, 2005
New York City

European pharma stocks advanced, boosted by Pfizer which rose 11% after the exclusivity of two of its patents was upheld. In corporate news, FPL Group and Constellation Energy Group agreed to merge, forming a company with a market capitalization of about $28 billion. Google gained 3.2% on a reported 5% stake in Time Warner''s AOL division for $1 billion, pacing out Microsoft Corp.

Pfizer to Lift Pharma Stocks

Elena
19 Dec, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks finished higher with the Nikkei rising 1.4% on bargain hunting and exporter issues. European stocks traded mixed with the German DAX 30 down 0.2%, while averages in France and the U.K. gained each 0.1%. In corporate news, FPL Group and Constellation Energy Group agreed to merge, forming a company with a market capitalization of about $28 billion. Pfizer rose after the exclusivity of two of its patents was upheld.

FPL and Constellation Energy in $11 B Deal

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

FPL is reported to buy Constellation Energy for $11 billion. The first deal to be completed since the utility industry deregulation by Congress. A flood of economic reports await investors in the last week before the holiday period begins. Reports on housing market, PPI, durable goods orders are just a few of many economic reports that investors will have to digest during this week. Investors will also closely watch earnings from Morgan Stanley, FedEx, Nike and General Mills.

Google and AOL in Partnership

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

Google wants to protect 10% of its revenue, generated by AOL and is reported to be willing to invest $1 billion in AOL unit of Time Warner. Slight fall in third quarter current account deficit failed to excite the market. Near record deficit of $195.8 billion in the quarter was largely caused by deficit in international goods trade. For the year the deficit is likely to reach $780 billion.

Lackluster Trading on Expirations

Elena
16 Dec, 2005
New York City

An oil prices decline below $60 a barrel, healthy U.S. economic data and news from GM sent averages higher at the start of Friday session, but the expiration of key options and futures caused volatility to the market. In corporate news, natural gas distributor Southern Union agreed to buy Sid Richardson Energy Services Co. along with a related energy marketing business, for $1.6 billion in cash.

Early Rise on Lower Oil

Elena
16 Dec, 2005
New York City

An oil prices decline below $60 a barrel and news from the CEO of General Motors that the company will raise its 2006 revenue sent averages higher at the start of Friday session, but the expiration of key options and futures are likely to cause volatility to the market. Natural gas distributor Southern Union agreed to buy Sid Richardson Energy Services Co. along with a related energy marketing business, for $1.6 billion in cash.

Q3 Current Account Deficit Near Record

Elena
16 Dec, 2005
New York City

The deficit in the U.S. current account narrowed in the third quarter to a total of $195.8 billion, down 1% from the deficit in the April-June quarter of $197.8 billion. Asian benchmarks closed mixed with the Nikkei down 0.5%, falling for a third straight day on profit-taking and weaker dollar. European stocks rose at mid-day on utility stocks. General Motors raised 2006 revenue. Oracle reported 16% increase in Q2 earnings of 19 cents a share on higher revenue, met estimates.

Stocks Advance on CPI

Elena
15 Dec, 2001
New York City

Total CPI for Nov. fell 0.6%, below an expected 0.4% decline, while the more closely watched core rate rose 0.2%, matching expectations.In the week ending Dec. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 329,000, an increase of 1,000 from last-week revised figure of 328,000. In earnings news, both Lennar and Bear Stearns posted strong Q4 earnings, well above estimates, but Goldman Sachs missed the Reuters Estimates consensus of $3.36 by a penny.

Averages Fall Despite Strong Economic Reports

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

Flood of economic reports suggested that labor market is steady, factory production is rising and consumer prices are in check. November CPI reported biggest monthly decline in 56 years. Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs reported strong rise in earnigs following a similar rise reported by Lehman Brothers this week. Philip Morris registered victor as Illinois Supreme Court reversed lower court judgement of $10.1 billion, stock of the parent company jumps 4%.

Industrial Output Rises

Elena
15 Dec, 2005
New York City

Industrial output at the nation''s factories, mines and utilities rose 0.7% last month, following a 1.3% rise in October. November CPI fell 0.6%, below an expected 0.4% decline, while the more closely watched core rate rose 0.2%, matching expectations. In the week ending Dec. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 329,000, an increase of 1,000 from last-week revised figure of 328,000.

November CPI Down 0.6%

Elena
15 Dec, 2005
New York City

Consumer prices fell 0.6% in November, the biggest drop in more than half a century due to record-low gasoline prices. In the week ending Dec. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 329,000, an increase of 1,000 from last-week revised figure of 328,000. In earnings news, homebuilder Lennar posted Q4 profit jump of 53% on improved building process and higher revenue.