Market Update

China Hits New Record

Ivaylo
30 Apr, 2007
New York City

Asian markets finished mixed on Monday, with export-oriented economies closing on a weaker note on worries over the U.S. growth outlook, while China struck a new record and Australia settled higher on advances in natural-resource stocks. The markets in Hong Kong and South Korea egded lower. Financial markets in Japan are closed Monday, Thursday and Friday for public holidays.

Verizon Q1 Profit Declines

Elena
30 Apr, 2007
New York City

Verizon said its operating revenue rose 6.4% to $22.58 billion from $21.23 billion a year ago. Analysts had been expecting a profit of 53 cents a share on revenue of $22.49 billion. The company said its Verizon Wireless operations helped increase the company''s total number of customers by 14.5% to 60.7 million. The stock added 1.2% in pre-market trading.

India Edges Lower, ICICI Bank Slumps

Ivaylo
30 Apr, 2007
New York City

The benchmark index opened with a negative bias and plunged in morning deals on fears of equity dilution in ICICI Bank. Later, the Sensex pared losses on strong performance from Reliance Industries, Reliance Communication and IT stocks. A recovery in State Bank of India and HDFC Bank also helped the rebound. Reliance Communicatons led the gainers, while ICICI Bank performed the worst. The government announced that it was considering export of 15 lakh tons of sugar.

Europe Gains on M&A, Turkey Slumps

Ivaylo
30 Apr, 2007
New York City

European markets traded in positive territory on Monday morning, as Telecom Italia advanced after a deal was made for a minority stake to be bought by Telefonica. Oil and gas companies saw their shares gain slightly, while ABN Amro was lower on an expectation of a decision from a local court. Stocks in Turkey plunged on political tensions. The U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.8%, the German DAX Xetra 30 index increased 0.4% and the French CAC-40 index advanced 0.4%.

Precious Metals Rally

Ivaylo
30 Apr, 2007
New York City

A lower U.S. dollar together with a thwarted terrorist plot in Saudi Arabia boosted the price of crude and metals on Friday. The terrorist plot was aimed at Saudi oil fields, as officials reported that 172 militants have been arrested. Police stated that one terror cell had planned to carry out suicide attacks against public figures, oil facilities and the military. All precious metals advanced, with only platinum bucking the trend, finishing lower.

Earnings, Record Dow and Euro, Oil Above $66

123jump.com Staff
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

Stocks in New York advacned on bettern than expected earnings from Microsoft, Cummins, Waste Management, Chevron and Gehl. Cummins gained 12% and microsoft advanced 3%. Oil rose above $66 on the series of arrests in Saudi Arabia. Euro traded at a record high against dollar on weak economic growth in the U.S. and dragging the European markets lower with it. Markets in Japan and China will be closed for the most of the week.

Movers: Gehl, Burger King, Waste Management

123jump.com Staff
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

Steady stream of positive earnings from large and small companies kept averages moving higher during the day. The first quarter read on GDP indicated the economy is growing at 1.3%. Burger King earnings rose more in Europe, Middle East and Asia. Waste Management earnings rose as it focused on eliminating unprofitable contracts. Gehl, construction and agricultural equipment maker jumped on revised sales and earings outlook.

Surging Euro Hurts European Stocks

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

European stock markets retreated from recent highs on Friday as the euro hit an all-time record versus the dollar on the back of weaker-than-expected U.S. growth data. Major oil companies were the biggest decliners, followed by Spanish property stocks. Statoil fell 2.3% after making a $2 billion acquisition of a Canadian oil sands producer. BP dropped 1.7% and Royal Dutch Shell fell 1.3%. The U.K. FTSE 100 fell 0.8%, the German DAX 30 lost 0.1% and the French CAC-40 fell 0.2%.

Airlines Drop on Broker Downgrade

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

U.S. stock market averages traded in a lackluster fashion, as investors weghed a weaker-than-expected GDP report against surging quarterly profit at Microsoft. The software giant traded up 4.3%. General Electric rose 2.3% after positive comments from Citigroup. The Dow was led down by General Motors, down 1.9%, J.P. Morgan Chase, down 1.4%, and Home Depot, falling 0.9%.

SanDisk Declines on Quarterly Loss

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

Sandisk dropped 2.2% after it posted a Q1 loss as prices for its main products fell. The company reported net loss of $575,000 compared with net income of $35.1 million, or 17 cents per share a year ago, missing estimate of earnings of 18 cents a share before special items. Revenue rose 26% to $786 million.

Cummins up 15% on Earnings, Forecast

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

U.S. stocks started trading mixed on Friday, after the government''s estimate of Q1 economic growth came in weaker than expected, while a measure of employment costs showed continued gains. However, surging profit at Microsoft helped to limit the downside move. The software giant offered support to the blue-chip average, as well as tech stocks, with its shares moving up 4.7%. Among other notable gainers, Cummins surged 15% after it said its Q1 profit rose 6%.

Slowing Economy Weighs on Stock Futures

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

The Commerce Department reported Friday that the U.S. economy slowed to 1.3% real annualized growth in Q1, hurt by rising energy prices and a weak housing market, making the weakest expansion in four years. The first estimate of Q1 real GDP came in below the 1.7% expected by economists as well as down from the 2.5% rise in the previous quarter.An inflation gauge tied to the GDP report showed that core prices, excluding food and energy, rose 2.2% in Q1, up from 1.8% in Q4.

Microsoft Profit Surges 65% on Vista

Elena
27 Apr, 2007
New York City

The world''s biggest software maker reported earnings of $4.93 billion, or 50 cents a share, compared with $2.98 billion, or 29 cents a share, during the year-earlier period. Revenue rose 32% to $14.4 billion, boosted by sales of new products including the Vista operating system. The stock rose 5.2% in pre-market trading.

U.S. Averages Lift Europe and Asia

123jump.com Staff
26 Apr, 2007
New York City

U.S. stocks closed higher for the second day in a row helping markets in Europe and Latin America. Asian markets rallied in overnight trading. Strong earnings from Exxon Mobil, Potash, 3M, Comcast and smaller than expected loss at Ford helped stocks to advance. After the close Microsoft earnings rose 65% on 32% rise in sales. Apple closed up 5% on earnings rise of more than 100%. Oil and gold dropped but sugar advanced.

U.S. Movers: Potash, Comcast, and Safeway

123jump.com Staff
26 Apr, 2007
New York City

Largest cable company Comcast reported first quarter revenue increase of 32% and earnings growth of 22% when adjusted for one time gain. The earnings rose 80% when one time gain of $50 million is included. The company reported average subscription rate for basic cable service of $60 per month. California retailer Safeway reported revenue rise of 5% and earnings gain of 22%. Fertilizer company Potash earnings in the first quarter jumped 58%.