Market Update

Gold, Copper Lose Ground

Ivaylo
17 Nov, 2006
New York City

Metal prices often drop when the dollar advances, as gold is traditionally viewed as a hedge against a weakening dollar. Gold prices also frequently track the movement of the energy markets, because many funds trade commodities as a whole. Gold and copper fell yesterday, while silver was unchanged and platinum and palladium managed to hold onto gains.

CPI Drops, Clear Channel Buy Out, Techs Rise

123jump.com Staff
16 Nov, 2001
New York City

Stocks rose to a new high for the fifth day in a row on 4.5% drop in oil price and 0.5% drop in CPI for the previous month supported a broad rally led by tech stocks. Two large private equity driven deals for the buy out of Clear Channel Communications and Readers Digest supported a steady rise in market averages. Big lots rose on earnings but Sears holdings, Applied Materials and Dell lost grounds. Hertz Global and KBR IPOs get lukewarm reception. Starbucks miss earnings released after close.

U.S. Inflation Data Help Europe

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

European stock markets finished mostly higher on Thursday, reflecting strong auto stocks and well-received U.S. inflation data. However, disappointing financial results from chipmaker Infineon Technologies, bank BNP Paribas and publisher Reed Elsevier limited the upward trend. London FTSE 100 climbed 0.4%, the German DAX 30 rose 0.2%, while the French CAC 40 edged down 0.1%.

Applied Materials Misses Estimate

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

Sears Holdings said that Q3 profits more than tripled, boosted by $101 million in investment income and cost-cutting. Earnings jumped to $1.27 per share, up from 35 cents per share a year earlier, beating analyst expectations of 98 cents. However, company

Cement Stocks Lead India Above 13,500

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

The benchmark index managed to finish in posititve in a highly volatile session. Once again cement stocks boosted the market led by Gujarat Ambuja Cement on two block trades, helping to boost the turnover above Rs 16,000 crore on two exchanges. The market-breadth remained negative as small-caps and mid-caps are still showing weakness. HDFC Bank led the advancers today, cement stock ACC surged. Infosys led the decliners while pharma and auto stocks also plunged.

$26 B Acquisition Bid for Clear Channel

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

Clear Channel Communications Inc., the largest U.S. radio-station owner, agreed to be acquired by an investor group led by private-equity firms Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners for $18.7 billion in cash. The deal includes about $8 billion in debt. Reader''s Digest rose 8% after agreeing to be acquired for about $1.61 billion by an investment consortium.

London Edges Higher

Ivaylo
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

National Grid was the leading advancer, as the energy network operator announced higher profits and plans to demerge its mobile phone mast business. London has gained also as weaker than expected US inflation numbers gave US markets an early boost, while Vedanta Resources has erased some of its heavy losses. By mid-day, the FTSE 100 index was up 8.5 points, or 0.1%.

Core Inflation at 9-Month Low

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

Bonds were actively traded early Thursday, as government data showed the lowest core consumer inflation reading since February. The U.S. Labor Department reported that its consumer price index dropped by 0.5% in October, matching the decline of the previous month. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy sectors, edged up by 0.1%. This followed 3 consecutive months of 0.2% increases.

Dell Postpones Q3 Profit

Elena
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock futures traded little changed Thursday morning, with investors awaiting consumer inflation data release. Quarterly earnings reports are expected from Hewlett-Packard, Sears Holdings, Starbucks, and Gap Inc. Dell Inc. postponed its quarterly financial report as the SEC stepped up its probe into the accounting practices of the company.

Japan Declines on Rate Worries, HK Zooms

Yordanka
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

Japanese stocks closed lower Thursday, swinging from earlier gains on concerns over the timing of future interest-rate hikes, while the leading share index in Hong Kong rose to a record close for the second straight time. Elsewhere around the region, markets closed mixed. Australian leading index fell on weakness in mining shares, while Singapore finished at another record.

Flat Start for European Trade

Ivaylo
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

As well as financials, investors looked to U.S. inflation data later in the session and eyeing badly received updates from chipmaker Infineon Technologies and publisher Reed Elsevier. Carmakers led the advance in early trade. Volkswagen shares surged on speculations of likely offer from rival Porsche. By mid morning, London FTSE 100 gained 0.1%, Frankfurt Xetra Dax was marginally lower, and the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.1%.

Gold Ends Lower, Silver Higher

Ivaylo
16 Nov, 2006
New York City

An early report of better-than-expected manufacturing data in New York State, gave the dollar a boost, but weighed on the precious metals. Overall, silver has been outperforming gold. Silver is getting support from non-obvious sources and it seems likely that if gold prices move higher on the back of a weaker U.S. dollar expected, then silver will move higher and probably continue to outperform gold.

Fed Minutes, Focused on Inflation

123jump.com Staff
15 Nov, 2006
New York City

Fed minutes showed that officials remained concerned on fighting inflation and near term rates are unlikely to be cut. The Fed also debate showed that the housing market slow down is not showing any sign of spill over in consumer spending. Recent in decline in oil price may stem from the weakness in global demand than from the rising oil supply, according to the minutes. U.S. Air is prepared to offer $8 billion to creditors of Delta, when the company emerges from the bankruptcy.

European Markets Rise on Tech Stocks

Elena
15 Nov, 2006
New York City

European stock markets closed higher Wednesday, boosted by a tech-stock rally which offset a sharp drop in shares of exchange operators. The German DAX 30 rose 0.68%, boosted by Infineon Technologies, up 3.4%. The French CAC 40 climbed 0.64%, led by strong tech stocks. Shares of Alcatel gained 2%, while STMicroelectronics rose 3.2%. London FTSE 100 climbed 0.7%, with telecom stocks giving a strong boost.

Dow Rallies on Altria and Boeing

Elena
15 Nov, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks extended Tuesday''s rally on easing concerns about the health of the economy and gains for blue-chips Altria and Boeing, up 1.7% and 1.2% respectively. US Airways climbed 11.7% after launching an $8 billion bid for Delta Air Line. Following the news, other stocks in the airline sector moved higher. Southwest Airlines Co. added 3.74%, American Airlines parent AMR Corp. rose 4.4%, while UAL Corp. climbed 6.8%.