Market Update

Two of the Three IPOs Trade Above Offering Price

Yordanka
27 Aug, 2005
New York City

The market for IPOs has cooled down after a burst in July and especially in the first half of August. Nevertheless, two initial public offerings received warm welcome and made double-digit gains in their debuts last week. There are no deals scheduled to price the week of August 29th.

Declining Oil Fails to Spark Market

123jump.com Staff
26 Aug, 2005
New York City

Fed Chairman delivered one of his most cautious speech at Central Bankers gathering. While the topic was central banking but he openely worried about recent housing boom, after-efffect of low interest rate in the long run and economic imbalances due to current account and trade deficift in the U.S. economy. Univ. of Michigan consumer sentimet Index dropped. Verizon stock closed at new 52 week low.

Greenspan Warns Aftermath of Low Interest Rates

123jump.com Staff
26 Aug, 2005
New York City

Fed Chairman expressed caution and warning on the persistent trade and fiscal imbalances and worries that protectionist measures discussed in Congress may not prepare America for the upcoming global challenges. Greenspan also expressed his concerns for the recent housing boom and as he stated 'asset prices' are increasing driving Fed's decision making. Natural gas remains above $10 price level.

Quiet Day of Trading

albena
26 Aug, 2005
New York City

Stocks declined at the open Friday after the weaker-than-expected consumer sentiment data. The August sentiment index declined to 89.1 from an initial read of 92.7 on surging oil prices fears. Merck & Co. is in focus due to reports it may settle some of its Vioxx-related lawsuits. WPP Group posted a 41% rise in first-half net profit and lifted its operating margin target for the year. No major companies are scheduled to report earnings Friday.

Merck Considers Settling

albena
26 Aug, 2005
New York City

Futures are trading higher Friday and market will watch final August consumer sentiment data from the University of Michigan, which is expected to decline due to surging oil prices. Merck & Co. is in focus due to reports it may settle some of its Vioxx-related lawsuits. WPP Group posted a 41% rise in first-half net profit and lifted its operating margin target for the year. No major companies are scheduled to report earnings Friday.

Florida Hurricane Packs Winds but No Damage

123jump.com Staff
25 Aug, 2005
New York City

Florida braces for storm and oil and gas markets hit new high. Natural gas prices reached all-time high and closed at $9.984 MBTU highest since the futures began trading in 1990. The natural gas prices are 80% higher than a year ago. Hawaii prepares to enforce price caps for gasoline and natural gas as of Sept 1.

Flat Market on Light Trading

albena
25 Aug, 2005
New York City

Oil retreated after hitting a record high and stocks remained in the positive territory. Yet another restructuring at Eastman Kodak and GE's $1.6 billion purchase of a stake in Turkey's No. 3 bank are in the spotlight. The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week with the four-week average for people receiving benefits reaching a 4-year low.

Daily Spike in Oil

albena
25 Aug, 2005
New York City

Oil slightly retreated after hitting a record high and stocks opened slightly above flat line. Re-organization at Eastman Kodak and GE's $1.6 billion purchase of a stake in Turkey's No. 3 bank are in the spotlight. The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week with the four-week average for people receiving benefits reaching a 4-year low.

Market May Have to Fight Oil

albena
25 Aug, 2005
New York City

Oil retreated after hitting a record high and stocks are expected not to lose ground as futures indicate a flat opening. On Thursday morning traders will certainly focus on jobless claims, seen slightly down from last week, but oil prices draw the main attention. Oil neared $68 a barrel in Asian trade Thursday as a tropical storm threatened to disrupt supply from the US Gulf Coast. Toll Brother

$67 Oil Drags Market Lower

123jump.com Staff
24 Aug, 2005
New York City

Another day another reason to take oil higher. Petroleum invetory report from the Energy Department suggested lower gasoline inventories and impendiing tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico gave enough reasons to oil to trade higher than $67 per barrel. On earnings front BHP Billiton historic profit and revenue but cautioned that company will use capital for business growth than share with investors.

Housing and Energy Stocks Leading the Averages

albena
24 Aug, 2005
New York City

The petroleum inventory data and home sales report helped investors recover from the disappointing data from the Commerce Department's report that durable goods dropped 4.9% in July. Falling gasoline inventories are fueling strength in oil stocks.

New Home Sales Trim Index Losses

albena
24 Aug, 2005
New York City

Stocks declined in early trading as oil prices topped $66 a barrel and a larger-than-forecast 4.9% drop in July durable orders, after a revised 9.2% gain over the prior two months, provoked concerns that the economy could be slowing down faster than expected. On the other hand, new home sales in July hit a record high and helped trim the index losses. Google is to launch its instant-messaging service today. BHP Billiton reported record full-year net profit up 89.3 % vs. a year ago.

Oil Rises, Futures Fall

albena
24 Aug, 2005
New York City

Stock futures are below the flat line early Wednesday morning, pointing to a weaker opening as oil continues to rise on the latest tropical storm worries. Reports on durable goods and new homes sales could also change the focus of the market. Google is expected to launch its instant-messaging service today. BHP Billiton reported record full-year net profit up 89.3 % vs. a year ago.

Markets Decline Worldwide

123jump.com Staff
23 Aug, 2005
New York City

Stocks declined. Existing home sales declined. The July existing home sales were estimated 2.6% lower to 7.16 million from revised 7.35 million in June. The median existing-home price across all housing categories was $218,000, 14% higher than a year ago. Wachovia is exploring a deal to acquire WFS Financial. A joint venture between GE and Rolls-Royce has won a $2.47 billion contract to develop an engine for stealth jet fighter.

Declining Averages

albena
23 Aug, 2005
New York City

Stocks declined at mid-day due to falling existing home sales and volatile oil prices. The July existing home sales were estimated 2.6% lower to 7.16 million from revised 7.35 million in June. The median existing-home price across all housing categories was $218,000. Wachovia is exploring a deal to acquire WFS Financial. A joint venture between GE and Rolls-Royce has won a $2.47 billion contract to develop an engine for stealth jet fighter.