Market Update

Asia Gains Despite Sony

Elena
15 Mar, 2006
New York City

Asian markets finished higher, supported by solid gains on Wall Street. the Nikkei rose 0.5% to 16,319.04, despite 1.8% drop in Sony''s stock after the company delayed the release of its PlayStation 3 game console. Hong Kong Heng Seng climbed 1.3%, lifted by property stocks on easing rate-hike concerns. Taiwan Weighted index surged 1.3% on strong tech sector.

Indexes at Five-Year High

123jump.com Staff
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

Markets advanced in the morning on weaker February sales report. Rally ganied momentum as techs partcipated and led further gains in the afternoon. Only GM and P&G did not gain in 30 DOW components. Emerging markets gained for the third day in a row in Latin America, but markets in Russia and Turkey sold-off. Goldman Sachs rose 6% on 64% rise in earnings. crude oil jumped 2% and reached $63 per barrel.

Techs Extend Gains

123jump.com Staff
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

Techs extend their early gains as market enters in the final 3o minutes of trading. The home builders and tech stocks are leading the charge. Google reversed the early decline of $3 to a gain of $12, Apple has extended its gain to $1.35, IBM added $1. Goldman Sachs jumped 6% on earnings report. Lehman, Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch join the rally.

Home Builders jump 5%

123jump.com Staff
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

Slowdown in February sales prompted a rise in bond prices as traders rushed to buy bonds. Record 2005 current account deficit did not affect market trading instead traders focused on the falling bond yields. Yield on 10-year bond fell to 4.69%. Home builders and other interest rate sensitive stocks rallied. Goldman Sachs rose 6% on strong earnings growth. Mexico and Brazil are trading 0.7% and 1.3% higher.

Europe Rises at Close

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets rebounded from early weakness to close mostly higher, boosted by U.S. markets gains on the back of strong quarterly results from Goldman Sachs. European financial companies like ABN Amro and USB also advanced. The German DAX 30 gained 0.3%, the French CAC 40 added 0.2%, while London FTSE 100 shed 0.04%.

Bonds Sharply Rise

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

Stocks rose Tuesday, lifted by strong profit from Goldman Sachs and bigger-than-expected increase in business inventories. Financial and materials stocks rose after the Commerce Department said U.S. business inventories rose 0.4%. Goldman Sachs reported 64% rise in Q1 on 61% revenue growth, beating expectations. The stock rose 5.1%. The yield on the 10-year note continued to ease, down 4.71%, providing relief for the equity market.

Bankers Cheer Sentiment

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks recovered from the initial decline, lifted by strong investment banks after Goldman Sachs reported 64% rise in Q1 on 61% revenue growth, beating expectations. The stock rose 4.5% and helped lift other financial shares. Procter & Gamble Co. fell 3.2% to $60.01 after the company lowered its quarterly sales expectations.

Autos Hurt Retail Sales

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks opened in the negative on disappointing economic data and lowered sales outlook from Procter & Gamble. In earnings news, Goldman Sachs reported 64% rise in Q1 on 61% revenue growth. Air Methods swung to profit in Q4 on 32% revenue increase. Evolving Systems also reversed from a net loss of 20 cents per share to report 5 cents income increase in Q4. Southern Union posted $1 loss in Q4, including charges.

Goldman Sachs Net up 64%

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower start after lackluster close Monday and ahead of economic data due out today. In earnings news, Goldman Sachs reported 64% rise in Q1 on 61% revenue growth. Air Methods swung to profit in Q4 on 32% revenue increase. Evolving Systems also reversed from a net loss of 20 cents per share to report 5 cents income increase in Q4. Southern Union posted $1 loss in Q4, including charges.

Retailers Lift U.K.

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

European averages turned mixed at mid-day, reflecting lackluster close of U.S. markets, rising oil prices and some corporate news. The German DAX 30 declined 0.4% on economic data, the French CAC 40 lost 0.2%, while London FTSE 100 gained 0.2% on earnings and merger activity in the retail sector. The euro slightly fell against the dollar to $1.1950.

Asia Turns Red

Elena
14 Mar, 2006
New York City

Asian benchmarks lost ground Tuesday, reflecting a rebound in oil prices and concerns over interest-rate hikes. The Nikkei dropped 0.8% after a three-day rally when the market climbed 4.7%. Major shipping companies and tech stocks dragged the Japanese index down. Among other regional markets, Taiwan Weighted index dropped 1.3%, South Korean Kospi slipped 0.9%, while New Zealand hit a new all-time high of 1.7%.

Markets Languish

123jump.com Staff
13 Mar, 2006
New York City

Markets in the U.S. charted a lacklusted course despite several stock upgrades and deals of more than $24 billion. Mega deals continued to drive investors interest in the first quarter of this year. European markets raced ahead and emerging markets are on the recovery path after losing between 5% and 10% in two weeks. Russia, Turkey, Taiwan, Mexico recovered more than 1%. India closed at record high for the second day in a row.

Ratings Revisions Drive Buyers

123jump.com Staff
13 Mar, 2006
New York City

Market averages modest move do not reflect the underlying dynamism in the market. Deals of more than $24 billion today, ratings revisions and stock buybacks have increased buying activity in the market. European markets closed higher on potential bids in the pharma industry and for LSE from Nasdaq. Shares of LSE, Euronext and Deutsche Borse jumped. Advanced Micro is down 7% on a broker downgrade.

Merger and Ratings

123jump.com Staff
13 Mar, 2006
New York City

Euroean maarkets advance as merger related news put several stocks in the UK and Germany on the higher grounds. Nasdaq bid for LISE lifted stocks of other exchanges on the continet with LSE stock jumping up 30%. German Schering jumped 26% on bid from Merck KGaA. Sanofi and Astra-Zeneca rose more than 2% each. South Africa closed up 1.03% but nine markets in western Europe rose above 0.5% led by 0.87% rise in German index.

Europe Closes Higher

Elena
13 Mar, 2006
Frankfurt

European averages closed higher Monday, boosted by merger deals and takeover talk. The biggest advancers were drug maker Schering, up 26% on bid from rival company Merck and London Stock Exchange which jumped 30% on bid speculations, involving U.S. stock exchanges. The German DAX 30 rose 0.9%. London FTSE 100 rose 0.8%.