Market Update

U.S. Gains Lift Europe

Elena
22 Feb, 2006
Frankfurt

U.S. stocks advanced, reflecting eased concerns about higher interest rates and inflation on upbeat economic data and oil prices drop. Shares of Intel were under pressure after it was downgraded on inventory concerns. In earnings news, Sprint Nextel, Harrah''s Entertainment and Big Lots reported Q4 profit drop below estimates. Taser profit dropped 98% in Q4 on lower sales and higher expenses. The Chinese Internet search system Baidu com.Inc. reported quadrupled profit that beat expectations.

Inflation Concerns Relieved

Elena
22 Feb, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced at opening after a report on consumer prices brought relief to the market, easing concerns about higher interest rates. In earnings news, Sprint Nextel, Harrah''s Entertainment and Big Lots reported Q4 profit drop below estimates. Taser profit dropped 98% in Q4 on lower sales and higher expenses. The Chinese Internet search system Baidu com.Inc. reported quadrupled profit that beat expectations.

Taser Profit Tumbles 98%

Elena
22 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian markets closed broadly down, hurt by weakness on Wall Street. The biggest loser was Taiwan Weighted index, down 1.5%, followed by the Nikkei with a drop of 0.7%. European averages were also weak, despite gains from miners and brewers. The Chinese Internet search system Baidu com.Inc. reported quadrupled profit that beat expectations. Sprint Nextel, Harrah''s Entertainment and Big Lots reported Q4 profit drop below estimates. Taser profit dropped 98% on lower sales and higher expenses.

Positive Opening Weak Close

123jump.com Staff
21 Feb, 2006
New York City

Morning mild optimism was quickly lost as oil and natural gas rose steadily throughout the day. Wal-Mart and Federated earnings disappointed the market. Home Depot delivered better than expected earnings of 60 cents. Fed minute of meeting and rise in oil and natural gas price set the tone for the trading for the most of the afternoon. General Motors unsecured debt was lowered by Moody. Only eleven of thirty Dow components rose during the session.

Inflation Worries Weigh

Elena
21 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks declined on upbeat economic data and strong earnings which raised concerns about further interest rate hikes. Wal-Mart also weighed on mood posting less stellar results of 13.4% profit jump in Q4. Home Depot reported 23% net income rise in Q4 on 16% revenue increase and 5.5% same-store sales rise, beating estimates. Federated Department Stores said Q4 profit rose 59% from last year, above expectations.

Citi Trends up 9% on Offering

Elena
21 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks slightly advanced Tuesday on stronger-than-expected earnings from Home Depot and Federated Department Stores. Home Depot reported 23% net income rise in Q4 on 16% revenue increase and 5.5% same-store sales rise. Federated said Q4 profit rose 59% from last year. Wal-Mart posted 13.4% profit jump in Q4 on $60.22 billion, or 8.6% revenue growth, beating estimates. Citi Trends announced a public offering price of $42.25 per share for the 1,675,000 shares of its common stock.

Wal-Mart Profit up 13%

Elena
21 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific benchmarks ended mixed. The Nikkei surged 3% on signs of strong economic improvememt, followed by Shanghai Composite, up 1.7%. European averages advanced at mid-day, led by the German DAX 30, up 0.8%. In earnings news, top retailer Wal-Mart posted 13.4% profit jump in Q4 on $60.22 billion, or 8.6% revenue growth, beating estimates. Home Depot reported Q4 net income rise to 60 cents a share on 16% revenue increase and 5.5% same-store sales rise, exceeding estimates of 56 cents.

Europe Closes Mixed

Elena
20 Feb, 2006
Frankfurt

Asian markets ended mixed on bullish export data. The Nikkei dropped 1.75%, while South Korean Kospi rose 1.2%. European averages finished mixed with London FTSE 100 rising 0.2%, supported by gains in oil majors and bourses in Germany and France dragged by telecoms and Sanofi-Aventis. The U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day holiday. Wal-Mart, Chesapeake Energy Corp., and Host Marriott are among the major companies expected to release earnings during the week.

Morgans Trades Flat

Yordanka
19 Feb, 2006
New York City

Long expected IPO of Morgans Hotel Group made a weak performance in the market this week. After pricing at the midpoint of its estimated range, its shares lost almost 1% and are currently trading at their initial offering price.

Tech Earnings Dominate Trading

123jump.com Staff
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

For the most part market ignored the rise in core PPI as reported by the government. Rise in oil price and mixed earnings in the tech sector dominated stock-specific trading. Reinsurer, PXRE Group tumbled 65% on higher charges related to Hurricane Katrnina. Global markets, especially markets in Japan, India declined by 2% and 1%. European markets closed higher, near four year high. European miners led rally across the region. Markets in Brazil and Canada lead averages higher in the Americas.

Intuit Down 9%

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Soaring oil prices, better-than-expected rise in wholesale prices and disappointing outlook from Dell sent stocks lower. However, the computer maker reported 52% profit jump in Q4, beating estimates. Nvidia said Q4 net income almost doubled to 53 cents a share, above expectations. Guess shares fell 7% on downbeat forecast for 2006. PXRE Group slid 65% after it raised its estimate of the impact of Rita and Katrina. Intuit posted 25% quarterly rise on revenue but gave a weak outlook.

Dell, Nvidia Profits Rise

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Soaring oil prices, better-than-expected rise in wholesale prices and disappointing earnings outlook from Dell sent stocks lower. However, the computer maker reported 52% profit jump in Q4 on 13% revenue growth, beating estimates. Chipmaker Nvidia said Q4 net income almost doubled to 53 cents on 12% sales growth, exceeding expectations of 49 cents a share.

Tokyo Closed 2% Lower

Elena
17 Feb, 2006
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets closed mixed. The Nikkei tumbled 330 points,or 2.06% on inflation concerns raised by strong GDP data, while South Korean Kospi surged 1.4%. European averages reached a fresh four-and-a-half year high in a quiet morning session. U.K''s Daily Mail & General Trust dropped over 11%. Computer maker Dell reported 52% profit jump in Q4 on 13% revenue growth, beating expectations.

Solid Jump in Housing Starts

123jump.com Staff
16 Feb, 2006
New York City

Solid rise in housing starts and stable unemployment claims gave for the second day boost to broader averages. Tech earnings, weak oil prices and busy home builders on top of busy consumers in January kept all three indexes surging for the day. Target reported earnings of $1.06 vs 91 cents a year ago. After the close Dell reported 43 cents vs. 26 cents a year ago. Intuit reported Q2 profit of $1.02 vs. 77 cents a year ago.

Administaff Climbs 15%

Elena
16 Feb, 2006
New York City

Stocks advanced on better-than-expected construction data and positive earnings news from Hewlett-Packard. DaimlerChrysler posted 2005 net profit rise of 15%, beating estimates. In Q4, the automaker posted 84% income rise. Arcelor plans to double its dividend, trying to fend off a hostile $21.9 billion bid from Mittal Steel. Expedia fell 16% on worse-than-expected earnings for the Q4. Administaff reported Q4 earnings of 39 cents a share on 22.8% revenue growth, beating estimates.