Market Update

U.S. Rally Sparks Rise in Europe, Latin America

123jump.com Staff
02 May, 2007
New York City

U.S. market averages rose as steady drumbeat of earnings supported a rise. Master Card, CB Richard Ellis, Nortel, Jones Lang La Salle, Yum Brands, and others reported rising earings on gains in international sales. Dow Jones is likely to receive at least two bids from private equity groups, sources in the industry confirm. European markets advanced led by a rise in Norway and UK. Brazil reported April trade surplus of $4.2 billion. HSBC stock attracts Middle-Eastern investors.

Foreign Sales Drive YUM and CB Richard Higher

123jump.com Staff
02 May, 2007
New York City

A familar theme of earnings this quarter was playout again today. Falling dollar and rising international sales contributed to the fortunes of some of the largest companies in America. Nortel, Yum Brands, Master Card and CB RIchard Ellis earnings report confirmed this trend today. Investors lifted these stocks in the hope that these earnings trend will continue. Master Card jumped nearly 10%, CB Richard rose 14%, Yum Brands advacned 6% on the news.

Europe Benefits from Strong Media Shares

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

European stock markets closed higher on Wednesday, boosted by strength among media stocks. Shares in satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting rose more than 5%, while Dutch publisher Wolters Kluwer gained 2.8%. The U.K. FTSE 100 climbed 1% to 6,484.50, the German DAX Xetra 30 rose 0.6% to 7,455.93 and the French CAC-40 gained 0.5% to 5,990.13.

Citigroup Buys Bisys Group for $1.45 B

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

The three major stock averages rallied on Wednesday, driven by strength in the deal sector amid deal speculation, Q1 financial results released by Time Warner, and stronger-than-expected factory data. Time Warner rose 2.5% after the media posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings. Chipotle Mexican Grill jumped 16% after the restaurant chain reported a profit rise above foreacsts.

Cablevision to be Taken Private for $10.3 B

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

Cablevision Systems Corp. jumped 8% after the cable TV provider said it struck a $10.3 billion deal to be taken private by its controlling shareholders, the Dolan family. In other deal news, Citigroup agreed to buy financial services outsourcing company Bisys Group for $1.45 billion in cash.

Corn Continues Rally, Gold Slips

Ivaylo
03 May, 2007
New York City

On the Chicago Board of Trade corn futures continued their rally Wednesday, helped by forecasts of wetter weather late next week and into the following week. Gold declined, having been on correction mode since the June futures stalled just shy of the $700-an-ounce level on April 20 and 23. In energy stocks, crude oil fell, as did heating oil and gasoline, while natural gas bucked the trend and climbed.

MasterCard Up 10%

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, lifted by deal news in the media sector and better-than-expected corporate profits. Master Card surged 10% after reporting 70% earnings rise to $1.57 per share from 94 cents per share a year ago, beating estimates of $1.15 a share. Revenue climbed 24% on favorable currency exchanges and stronger use of its brand overseas.

FTSE Gains on BSkyB

Ivaylo
02 May, 2007
New York City

U.K. stocks advanced, led by British Sky Broadcasting after the earnings of the company topped analysts estimates. Lonmin tracked a rally in mining stocks after the platinum producer announced its loss for the first-half narrowed. Also, William Morrison Supermarkets surged after reports that the company may be the target of a private-equity takeover bid. The benchmark FTSE 100 Index rallied 37.2, or 0.6%, to 6456.8.

Time Warner Profit Falls, Tops Estimate

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock futures traded higher Wednesday, although a payroll data helped erase some of the earlier gains. The ADP national employment report said private employment gained 64,000 in April, the weakest job growth in four years. The media sector was in the spotlight as Time Warner reported earnings. The media giant said its Q1 profit slipped 18%, but beat expectations as revenue increased by 9%. Deal speculation in the sector also provided support.

Auto Stocks Lead Japan Higher

Ivaylo
02 May, 2007
New York City

Asian markets closed higher Wednesday, with Japanese markets finishing higher on gains in the auto sector, while Australia was boosted by a record Dow Jones Industrial Average finish. Auto shares helped boost stocks in Japan, as Mazda reported strong earnings results, while HK gained on HSBC Holdings advance. Sydney was buoyed by gains from BHP Billiton and other natural resource shares.

Dow Jones May End up in Bidding Contest

Elena
02 May, 2007
New York City

The deal represents roughly 67% above the recent market value of Dow Jones, a massive premium at a time when most newspaper companies are losing readers and advertisers to the Internet. The offer from News Corp. is expected to face obstacles, as Dow Jones''''s controlling shareholders, the Bancroft family, said they would block it.

Media Stocks Buoy Europe

Ivaylo
02 May, 2007
New York City

European markets advanced on Wednesday on a number of strong earnings reports, while merger activity in the media sector also helped support the markets. The media stocks rallied after British Sky Broadcasting posted surprisingly strong customer take-up and on bid speculation in the sector following the move of News Corp for Dow Jones. By mid morning, Frankfurt Xetra Dax was 0.5% higher, the CAC 40 in Paris added 0.5%, and London FTSE 100 climbed 0.8%.

Corn Rallies, Gold Tumbles

Ivaylo
02 May, 2007
New York City

On the Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ended higher Tuesday, boosted by speculative buying after Monday''s crop progress report revealed lower than expected corn plantings. Gold and silver finished lower. It may have been in part on slow global trading, with many countries observing holidays.Platinum and palladium ended higher.

News Corp Offers $5 B for Dow Jones

123jump.com Staff
01 May, 2001
New York City

Major averages climbed higher on several deal news in banking, publishing and steel indsurties. News Corp controlled by Rupert Murdoch offered $65 per share or $5 billion for Dow Jones. The company publication Wall Street journal said that the board has declined the offer. Microsoft is reported to be in a deal to buy for $1 billion 24/7 Real Media, an internet adveertising firm. A report on housing markets showed 4.9% declined in signed contracts for pending home sales.

Community Banks up 34% on Buyout Offer

Elena
01 May, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock market averages turned mixed, reflecting robust manufacturing data and weak housing report reignited concerns that the Fed Reserve may not cut interest rates in the near future. The ISM''s April manufacturing index came in at 54.7%, higher than the reading in March and above forecasts. In another report, the National Association of Realtors said pending sales of existing homes fell by 4.9% in March to their lowest point in four years.