Market Update

Pfizer Tops Estimate

Elena
19 Apr, 2006
New York City

A number of Dow components advanced in pre-market trading on quarterly results. Honeywell International reported Q1 net income of 52 cents a share, up vs. 42 cents a share last year on 12% sales growth, exceeding estimates. Pfizer topped expectations, posting Q1 earnings rise of 56 cents a share, despite decrease in revenue. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. reported 35% income rise in Q1 of 86 cents a share, beating estimates.

European Stocks Gain

Elena
19 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

European shares posted solid gains at mid-day, following the best one-day performance yesterday on hopes that the U.S. interest rate-tightening cycle was close to an end. The German DAX 30 led advancers, climbing 1.4%, followed by the French CAC 40 which rose 1.1%, and London FTSE 100 which advanced 0.6%.

Asian Markets Rally

Elena
19 Apr, 2006
New York City

Asian markets posted solid gains at close, reflecting strength on Wall Street and speculations the Fed Reserve will stop increasing interest rates. The Nikkei rose 0.7% on tech and property stocks. South Korean Kospi advanced 1.3%, supported by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. Taiwan Weighted index gained 1.1%, Singapore Straits Times rose 0.9%, and Australia

Sharp Advance in Market Averages

123jump.com Staff
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Sharp gains in market averages reflected enthusiam of investors on interest rates. Recent Fed minutes of meetings suggested that Fed may be near completion of rate hike campaign. Caterpillar, International Paper and Alcoa rose more than 3%. Home builders, retailers and industrials advanced. Copper closed at new high and oil reached near $72. Brazil and India led emerging markets with more than 2.5% gains.

Brazil and India Lead Emerging Markets

123jump.com Staff
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Emerging markets rallied for the second day but for a different reason. Metals and oil price rise supported gains in South Africa and Russia. Latin markets gained on solid international funds buying in Brazil and Mexico Brazil rose on lower rates expectations and Mexico rose on earnings optimism. India rose on stable interest rates and strong rise in earnings from software companies.

Markets Rally on Rates

123jump.com Staff
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Markets opened up and scaled higher despite strong rise in oil and metal prices. Dow up 1.4%, Nasdaq up 1.5% and S&P up 1.3% as market appraoches last hour of trading. 29 of the 30 Dow stocks are up and 25 of the 30 stocks are up more than 1%. Honeywell, International Paper, Alcoa and Caterpillar are up more than 3%.

European Shares End Mixed

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages ended mixed, reflecting surging commodities prices and disappointing first-quarter earnings report from Philips Electronics. Oil producers were the leading gainers in Europe. Total, BP, and Royal Dutch Shell each advanced more than 1%. The German DAX 30 dropped 0.3%, the French CAC 40 edged down 0.1%, while London FTSE 100 climbed 0.2%.

Oil Majors Gain

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded higher on strong corporate earnings and economic data. Rising oil prices failed to hurt the upward momentum and boosted major oil companies like Exxon Mobil, up 1.3% and Valero Energy Corp. which gained 2.1%. Shares of IBM Corp. added 1.4% ahead of the company''s announcement of its quarterly results.

J&J Posts 16% Profit Rise

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks traded higher on strong corporate earnings and economic data which showed that U.S. producer prices climbed 0.5% in March, but core-PPI, excluding food and energy, only rose 0.1%. D.R. Horton reported that Q2 net income advanced 20% on 25% revenue growth. UnitedHealth Group posted Q1 income rise of 21% on 54% higher revenue, missing analyst estimate by a penny. Johnson & Johnson posted Q1 profit rise of 16%, helped byhigher sales of medical devices and a break-up fee.

UnitedHealth Net up 21%

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened in the positive, lifted by strong corporate earnings and economic data which showed that U.S. producer prices climbed 0.5% in March, hurt by rising energy prices, but core-PPI, excluding food and energy, only rose 0.1%. D.R. Horton, homebuilder, reported that Q2 net income advanced 20% on 25% revenue growth. UnitedHealth Group reported that Q1 net income went up 21% to 63 cents a share on 54% higher revenue, missing analyst estimate by a penny.

D.R.Horton Profit up 20%

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Merrill Lynch & Co. reported sharply lower Q1 earnings due to a hefty charge for the expenses for stock-based compensation. The company posted 44 cents per share vs. $1.22 a share last year, still beating analyst expectations. D.R. Horton, homebuilder, reported that Q2 net income advanced 20% on 25% revenue growth.

Indian Market, New Record

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
Mumbai

Sensex in India scaled more than 2% advance for the second day in a row after the Reserve Bank of India left the interest rates unchanged. Prime Minister indicated that annual GDP growth of 10% is a realistic target. Strong earnings from software giant TCS propelled IT stocks. Banking and cement stocks rose for the second day in a row.

Commodities Weigh in Europe

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
Frankfurt

European stocks traded mixed at mid-day after the long holiday weekend. Stocks were dragged by surging commodities prices and disappointing earnings from Philips Electronics. The German DAX 30 dropped 0.6%, the French CAC 40 edged down 0.2%, while London FTSE 100 climbed 0.4%, supported by gains in oil and mining companies.

Financials Lift Tokyo

Elena
18 Apr, 2006
New York City

Asian markets closed higher with the Nikkei in the lead. The Japanese index was boosted by strength in financial, brokerage and commodities-related stocks. Australia All Ordinaries rose 1.3% helped by mining stocks like BHP Billioton. Hong Kong Hang Seng climbed 0.9% with China Mobile rising 3.4% and Synopec surging 4.3%.

Oil, Gold, Copper and Earnings

123jump.com Staff
17 Apr, 2006
Metals

Market averages closed lower as earnings from banks dominted the calendar. Oil above $70 and gold, silver and copper at a new high took a bite out of the market mild climb in the morning. Wachovia, Citigroup and SunTrust reported earnings that met expectations. Gardner Denver raised earnings outlook. Goldman to underwrite $2.45 billion MasterCard IPO. India, Russia and Mexico lead rise in emerging markets.