Market Update

Gold, Silver Rebound

Ivaylo
05 Dec, 2006
New York City

Gold and silver prices bounced a bit higher Monday, recovering from a fall earlier in the day as traders resumed their expectations that the dollar will slide further. The market got itself a little bit long at the end of last week, expecting a continuation of the rally on the back of U.S. dollar weakness. But the U.S. dollar stabilized a bit Monday morning. Crude oil bounced off its low, aiding the recovery of the metals.

Nasdaq Up 35, S&P500 Up 13

123jump.com Staff
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

Merger news worth more than $30 billion, 1.6% drop in oil price and investors desire to add tech stocks led three popular averages near the record level. Bank of New York agreed to buy Mellon Financial after $16.5 billion and form the largest custodian of financial assets. Bank of NY shres jumped 12% and Mellon rose 5% on the news. Agere Systems and LSI Logic agreed to merge. Pfizer lost 11% after dropping its cholesterol drug.

Europe Rallies on Deal News

Elena
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

European stocks closed in the positive Monday. The regional markets advanced on deal-making news, takeover speculation, gains on Wall Street, and late-session buying on relief that Pfizer didn

Station Casinos Jumps 18% on Takeover Bid

Elena
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

The three major market averages posted a significant strength on Monday morning, boosted by well-received merger-and-acquisition news and lower crude oil prices. The Nasdaq showed a particularly strong upward move, with the tech-heavy index rising 1% on solid gains in the semiconductor sector. Oil prices retreated from last-week highs, with a barrel of light, sweet crude falling $1.05 to $62.38 on the Nymex.

India Up 0.2%

Elena
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

The market closed almost flat in volatile trading. The Sensex traded in a narrow range of 84 points today. Almost all sectors traded in the positive territory. Capital goods stocks, consumer durables and metal stocks advanced. Tata Motors led the gainers and ACC rallied. Satyam, HDFC Bank and Wipro led the decliners. India is hoping to resolve through dialogue a trade dispute with the European Union.

Takeover Deals Lead Market Higher

Elena
04 Dec, 2001
New York City

U.S. market averages started trading higher Monday morning, despite a steep decline by the shares of Pfizer. The drugmaker''s decision to halt development of a key drug generated negative sentiment in pre-opening hours, but series of takeover deals managed to offset the negative mood. Chipmaker LSI Logic fell 12% after it agreed to buy Agere Systems in an all-stock deal worth around $4 billion. Shares of Bank of New York jumped 8.8% after it agreed to takeover Mellon Financial which rose 4%.

FTSE Gains on Food Stocks

Ivaylo
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

It is all about the food producers today after Branston pickles to Sarsons vinegar group Premier Foods agreed a recommended offer for Hovis owner RHM. Several other food companies gained following the announcement including Northern Foods and Cadbury Schweppes. Cadbury Schweppes and Cairn Energy lead the FTSE 100 advancers. Both are being buoyed by vague bid talk. The FTSE 100 rose 8.8 points, or 0.1%, at 6,029.7 at mid-day on Monday.

Pfizer Drops 14% on Halted Drug

Elena
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock futures declined, hurt by weakness in Pfizer shares. Pfizer dropped 14% in pre-market trading as the drugmaker said it halted the development of cholesterol drug torcetrapib because of deaths and cardiovascular problems in patients using it. A downgrade by Leman Brothers followed the news. Bank stocks were also in focus after Bank of NY agreed to buy Mellon Financial to become the world''s largest financial assets service company.

Bank of NY Buys Mellon Financial for $16.5 B

Elena
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

The combined company will be the world''s biggest asset custodian and corporate trustee with $16.6 trillion in assets under custody and $8 billion in assets under trusteeship. It will also be a top ten global asset manager with $1.1 trillion of assets under management. It will be called Bank of New York Mellon Corp. The deal is expected to complete in Q3 of 2007.

Japan Falls on Exports, HK Rises on Banks

Ivaylo
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

Asian markets finished mixed on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 in Japan retreating as a strong yen hurt shares of exporters, while Hong Kong benchmark index edged higher on gains by Chinese banks. In South Korea shares fell on U.S. market losses as disappointing U.S. economic data released on Friday. Taiwan rose for the fourth session in row while Australia fell after data released Monday showed Australian new home building approvals dropped in October.

Europe Edges Higher

Ivaylo
04 Dec, 2001
New York City

European shares traded higher on Monday morning, with a slight strengthening of the U.S. dollar and resurgence in deal making across Europe. French heavy engineer Alstom was one of the biggest gainers after Bouygues, the construction and telecoms group, revealed late last week it had raised its stake in the power station builder, prompting speculation about a full takeover. By mid morning, FTSE 100 in London climbed 0.5%, Frankfurt Xetra Dax added 0.4%, and the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.4%.

Gold Dips, Silver Rises

Ivaylo
04 Dec, 2006
New York City

A little profit-taking was seen on the market. This was occurring toward the end of a week when gold and silver had made big upward moves. Much of the activity was speculative in nature. Silver generally found more buying from funds and speculators than other metals lately. Obviously, a lower dollar helped support silver prices. Crude oil futures settled higher as well as Arabica coffee.

Late Rally Trims Losses

123jump.com Staff
01 Dec, 2006
New York City

Market averages opened on a positive tone but came under heavys selling pressure after the release of manufacturing and construction activity reports. A survey of manufacturing activity reported shriking base and construction was reported 1% lower according to Commerce Department. Market averages tumbled quickly close to 1% and recovered in the last fifteen minutes of trading. GM, Toyota and Chrysler reported rising November month sales but Ford sales tumbled 9.6% to the fourth spot.

European Markets Closed Lower

123jump.com Staff
01 Dec, 2006
New York City

European markets closed lower across the region led by France, Spain and Germany. A survey on Euro-wide manufacturing from Royal Bank of Scotland showed widening manufacturing activity in the region and unemployment dropped to a five-year low to 7.7%. Healthy economic activity report pushed the euro to a 20-month high against dollar and record high against yen. Mining stocks led the advance in the UK and airline stocks rose in the region on Alitalia planning to sell controlling stake.

Weak Dollar Agianst Euro and Pound

123jump.com Staff
01 Dec, 2006
New York City

Twin deficits of budget and trade deficits are finally dragging the dollar to a record low against world currencies. softening economy and slowing manufacturing and construction activites only added to the latest slide. The U.S. likely to report record annual trade deficit of more than $800 billion and current account deficit of higher than 5.8% of GDP in the year 2006. Lower dollar pushed stocks lower in the mid-day trading.