Market Update

Merger Monday

123jump.com Staff
08 May, 2006
New York City

Market averages traded lacklusted for the most part of the day. Oil and gold fell on the news that Iran has sent a letter to President Bush to find a diplomatic solution. Gold fell more thn $4 but copper rose. News of two large deals kept traders busy. Golden West Financial agreed to be acquired by Wachovia Bank and Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific agreed to merge.

Oil Weighs in London

Elena
08 May, 2006
Frankfurt

European stocks closed mixed as declining oil prices helped markets in Germany and France but weighed on commodity-sensitive London FTSE 100. The German DAX 30 rose 0.25%, the French CAC 40 reversed from a 4

Dollar, Oil and Gold Decline

Elena
08 May, 2006
Metals

Stocks were weak in late morning trading, reflecting cautiousness before the FOMC meeting Wednesday, sliding dollar and decreasing oil prices. Three multibillion-dollar merger deals were in the centre of attention. Golden West Financial rose 7.5% on $26 billion bid from Wachovia. Fisher Scientific gained 6% after Thermo Electron offered to acquire it for $10.6 billion. Berkshire announced it was buying an 80% stake in Israel-based Iscar Metalworking Cos. for $5 billion.

India Closes at Historic High

Elena
08 May, 2006
Mumbai

Asian stocks were on the rise on a report from the U.S. Labor Department that proved to be slower than expected. The Sensex held positive territory all through the session. Reliance Industries soared, as well as HDFC. Cement stocks gained in the late trading on a greater interest from buyers and on stable product prices. Automotive stocks gained too.

Thermo and Fisher in $11 B Deal

Elena
08 May, 2006
New York City

Stocks opened weak, reflecting cautiosness ahead of FOMC meeting Wednesday and sliding U.S. dollar. Wachovia bid $26 billion for Golden West Financial and Thermo Electron offered $10.6 billion for Fisher Scientific. Apple Computer Inc. rose 1.8% after a judge in Britain ruled that the company''s iTunes Music Store did not infringe on the trademark of the Beatles'' Apple Corps.

Wachovia Bids $26 B for Golden West

Elena
08 May, 2006
New York City

Stock futures pointed to a flat market opening, despite two major merger deals, including Wachovia''s $26 billion bid for Golden West Financial and Thermo electron''s offer of $10.6 billion for Fisher Scientific. In pre-market trading shares of Apple Computer rose 1.6% after a judge in Britain ruled that the company''s iTunes Music Store did not infringe on the trademark of the Beatles'' Apple Corps.

Europe Trades Mixed

Elena
08 May, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets traded mixed at mid-day as declining oil prices helped markets in Germany and France hit 4 1/2-year highs but weighed on the commodity-sensitive London FTSE 100. All markets gained on strong U.S. markets close Friday after weaker jobs report helped ease interest rate concerns. The German DAX 30 rose 0.5%, the French CAC 40 added 0.4%, while the U.K.

Shanghai Climbs 4%

Elena
08 May, 2006
New York City

Asian markets surged on Monday, led by China Shanghai Composite which hit a two-year high, rising 3.95% to 1497.10. The index was boosted by gains in oil and real estate issues, following new stock rules. The Nikkei climbed 0.8%, benefiting from strength in financial and heavy industries. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng soared 1.7%, supported by metals shares. Australia All Ordinaries rose 1.3%, with Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton each rising 3.6%

Tech Stocks Up on Jobs

Ivaylo
08 May, 2006
New York City

The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up, as did the Morgan-Stanley tech index. The Nasdaq put its weekly tally of gaining to almost 1%. Advancers also outstripped decliners. Activision and THQ rose after their earnings reports were released. Among other leading stocks were Sun Microsystems Inc. and Hewlett Packard.

Optimist Traders

123jump.com Staff
05 May, 2006
New York City

Market averages staged rally taking Dow, Nasdaq and S&P to a milti-year high. April payroll data of 138,000 was lower than market estimate of 205,000. Market rallied hoping that the Fed will reconsider future rate hikes. Financials, brokers and tech stocks climbed. European and Asian stocks gained at close as well. gold closed at 26-year high. EOG Resources and El Paso 12% and 6% on earnings. Expeditors Intl and Terex rose sharply.

Europe Closes Higher

Elena
05 May, 2006
Frankfurt

European markets ended sharply higher, lifted by weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data and merger-and-acquisition news. Banking group Alliance & Leicester rose 7% and Dutch media company VNU gained 5% on bid speculations. The German DAX 30 surged 1.2%, the French CAC 40 climbed 1%, and London FTSE 100 advanced 0.9%.

Dow Rallies

Elena
05 May, 2006
New York City

Weaker-than-anticipated employment data and cooling oil prices sent U.S. stocks sharply higher, with the Dow reaching a new six-year high. Toll Brothers rose 2.2%%, despite reporting a 29% decline in the value of signed contracts and cut its delivery estimate for the year by 200 homes. El Paso surged 9% on Q1 threefold earnings rise, beating forecasts. Warner Music rose 1.6%, despite reporting a narrower-than-expected loss.

Volatile Indian Market

Elena
05 May, 2006
Mumbai

The index started stable on a strong buying impulse and strong global markets and then soared in the trading. Moody

Medco Health Net Falls 66%

Elena
05 May, 2006
New York City

Stocks surged at opening on weaker-than-expected employment data which helped to offset worries about interest rate increases. The Labor Department said the U.S. economy added 138,000 jobs in April, compared with a forecast of 200,000. In earnings news, El Paso reported Q1 net income rise to $346 million or 49 cents per share. Sanofi-Aventis reported Q1 net income advanced 54% on 9.6% sales rise. Medco Health Solutions posted a 66% slide in Q1 profit, hurt by a $100 million charge.

Weaker Job Growth

Elena
05 May, 2006
New York City

The Labor Department said that non-farm payroll employment increased by 138,000 in April following a downwardly revised increase of 200,000 in March. Economists had expected an increase of 200,000 jobs. The report showed that notable job growth was shown by the financial, health care, and manufacturing industries. The Labor Department added that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.7%.