Market Update

Tech and Financials Lead Gainers

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

in the early afternoon trading tech stocks lead a strong rally in Nasdaq stocks with a gain of 1.4%. Financial brokers and investment bankers rise along with tech stocks. Three major averages are trading at their best level for the day as Dow and S&P join the tech lead advance. Energy stocks are on the move on volatile energy price and weekly energy report. Two REITs Boston properties and Kimco Properties will be added to S&P 500.

Energy Stocks Help Europe

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages closed higher as strength in energy stocks offset concerns about interest rate increases and mixed performance in the retail sector. The German DAX 30 rose 0.4%, the French CAC 40 climbed 0.6%, and London FTSE 100 gained 0.4%.

Google Leads Nasdaq up

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Bargain hunting helped stocks trade in the positive with the Nasdaq jumping 1%, supported by 3.2% rise in Google shares and 5.4% rise in Sun Microsystems stock. The Dow was helped by shares of 3M Co. which rose 2.3%. Shares of GM fell 3.9% after saying it would restate financial results for financing arm GMAC from 2003 through the third quarter of 2005.

Strong Oil, Weak Gasoline

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Bargain hunting helped stocks trade in the positive, recovering from the heavy losses posted yesterday after the Fed Reserve released its statement on interest rate hikes. Brokerage upgrades on 3M and Sun Microsystems lifted market sentiment. Shares of 3M rose 2.6%, while Sun Microsystems jumped 6.2%. Shares of GM fell 3.9% after saying it would restate financial results for financing arm GMAC from 2003 through the third quarter of 2005.

3M Gains on Upgrade

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stock started trading higher after the heavy losses posted yesterday on another increase of interest rates and signals, given by the Fed Reserve that hikes may continue. Brokerage upgrades on 3M and Sun Microsystems lifted market sentiment. Shares of 3M rose 2.6%, while Sun Microsystems jumped 6.2%. Meanwhile, UBS downgraded machinery giant Caterpillar to neutral from buy.

Stock Futures Rise

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stock futures were in a positive mood Wednesday morning, indicating a higher trading start after the heavy losses posted yesterday on another increase of interest rates and signals, given by the Fed Reserve that hikes may continue. Brokerage upgrades on 3M and Sun Microsystems lifted market sentiment. Shares of 3M rose 1.4%, while Sun Microsystems jumped 4.2%.

Sensex Scales Fourth Day Advance

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Market in India rose for the fourth day in a row to a new high after adding 0.9% for the day and 3.2% in the last four days. Broad buying from the local and foreign investors led the advance but on a significant declining volume. Sugar and software exporters led the rally on higher sugar prices and rising earnings expectation.

European Stocks Recover

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages advanced, recovering from two-day declines. Stocks were supported by strength in Asian markets and largely ignored the weakness on Wall Street, following the Fed Reserve''s decision to increase interest rates. The German DAX 30 added 0.2%, the French CAC 40 rose 0.5%, and London FTSE 100 climbed 0.6%.

Nikkei Hits a New High

Elena
29 Mar, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks closed mostly higher. The Nikkei hit a new five-and-a-half-year high of 1.5% to 16938,41 on improved confidence in economic recovery and fresh fund flows. Tech stocks and exporter issues gained on stronger dollar. Singapore Straits Times reached a six-year high, rising 0.3%. Taiwan Weighted index rose 0.7%, China Shanghai Composite gained 0.5%, while Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 0.7%.

Telecoms Drag Europe

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages rebounded from earlier gains to close lower. Stocks were dragged by weakness in the telecom sector and cautiousness over interest rates increases. Upbeat economic data on German business sentiment failed to offset losses. The German DAX 30 fell 0.2%, the French CAC 40 dropped 0.6%, and London FTSE 100 lost 0.4%.

Oil Jumps Higher

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
New York City

Cautiousness ahead of the Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rate hikes kept sttocks trading in a tight range. A sharp jump in crude oil prices to $65.75 contributed to solid gains in the energy sector. Notable gains were shown by Honeywell, Alcoa, and ExxonMobil.

Consumer Confidence Strongly Improves

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stocks started trading near the flat line on cautiousness ahead of the Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rate hikes. Banks and insurers, which are interest rate-sensitive stocks, slipped. An increase in oil prices sent the energy sector 1.4% higher, but helped airline stocks move to the downside with the whole sectordown 1%. Strength in networking stocks boosted the Nasdaq, with Ciena and Tellabs standing out as the best performers.

GM Gains on Job Cuts

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stocks started trading near the flat line on cautiousness ahead of the Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rate hikes. Banks and insurers, which are interest rate-sensitive stocks, slipped. An increase in oil prices sent the energy sector 1.4% higher, but helped airline stocks move to the downside with the whole sector down 1%. Strength in networking stocks boosted the Nasdaq, with Ciena and Tellabs standing out as the best performers.

Lennar Profit up 34%

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stock futures pointed to a slightly weak opening with ivestors awaiting the Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rate hikes. Homebuilder Lennar reported 34% earnings jump in Q1 on 35% revenue growth, beating expectations. Jewelery retailer Tiffany posted Q4 profit decline of 97 cents a share from $1.48 a share last year, despite sales growth, but still exceeding estimates.

Autos, Techs Lift Europe

Elena
28 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European stocks traded mostly higher at mid-day, supported by auto and technology stocks. The German DAX 30 rose 0.3% on upbeat economic data, offsetting losses ahead of Fed Reserve''s decision on interest rates. The French CAC 40 gained 0.3%, while London FTSE 100 lost 0.1%.