Light Trading Lead Markets Sideways

123jump.com Staff
30 Nov, -0001
New York City

After a week of 3% gain, traders are taking profit before the weekend. The light trading in equity markets, oil and metals markets are taking fewer stocks higher in the morning trading. Maytag bonds may be downgraded. Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, and France are already feeling the heat of oil price spike and lowering their GDP forecast and market expects UK to do so soon. Dollar is attempting to rally after three long years of bear market.

S&P – 0.16% Down DOW – 0.21% Down Nasdaq – 0.17% Up

Markets traded lower with few earnings and economic news to digest. Merger news in the airline industry has taken shares of Delta, AMR and Southwest air higher. Shares of Maytag traded above $14 and shares on ExxonMobil lost 74 cents after judge ordered the company to pay 100,000 gas stations for overcharging totaling $1.3 billion.

Federal bankruptcy judge has delayed the ruling on United Airlines request to impose lower pay and benefit on union till May 31so that both sides can work out satisfactory agreement.

U.S. dollar jumped to seven-month high against euro. After three long years of dollar in decline against euro, British pound and yen, dollar is looking increasingly ready to rebound in the short term. Dollar traded at $1.2543 per euro, $1.8237 per pound, and 108.23 yen at closing in London.

Maytag, white-goods appliance maker, agreed to be acquired by private investor group Ripplewood plc for $1.13 billion. The group will pay $14 per share and assume $975 billion. Maytag bonds may be reviewed for downgrade according S&P creditwatch.

Oil drilling rig count in the U.S. rose by seven and by twelve in Canada according to Baker Hughes report. Total rigs searching for oil and gas in U.S. stand at 1,315 and in Canada at 267.

Overnight markets in Tokyo, Manila, Taiwan and Sydney closed slightly lower and markets in Singapore, Mumbai, Seoul and Bangkok closed higher.

Bank of Korea said that its 1Q GDP came in at 2.7% slightly below market estimate of 2.8% down from previous quarter of 3.3%, and 5.3% a year ago. Taiwan also lowered its GDP target.

State Bank of India, largest bank in India, declared 4Q profit rise of 22%.

CarMax, used car retailer, lowered its guidance for same-store sales from 9%-12% to 6% and 1Q earnings from 35/38 cents to 35/36 cents. Shares are trading lower by 7% at the opening.

Gap, apparel retailer, reported 1Q profit of 31 cents vs. 33 cents a year ago on sales decline by 1% to $3.6 billion. Shares are trading lower in the morning by 3%.

On Prudential analyst downgrade of youth apparel retailers on inventory concerns, shares of American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Pacific Sunwear closed lower by more than 3% each.

Charming Shoppes, plus size women retailer, reported 1Q profit of 23 cents vs. 21 cents a year ago on 2% sales growth $603 million. Shares are trading up 8%.

Brocade Communications reported 1Q profit of 7 cents vs. 1 cent when it included charges of 6 cents on sales decline of 1% and decline of 10% compared to previous quarter. The company plans to restate 2004 statements. Shares are trading lower by 11%.

Autodesk, maker of computer-aided-design software, reported 1Q profit of 31 cents vs. 18 cents a year ago on 19% revenue growth to $355 million for the quarter. For the fiscal year ending January, the company expects revenue of $1.45 B to $1.5 B and earnings of $1.14 to $1.19. Shares are trading lower by 1.9%.

Aeropostale, teen clothing retailer, reported 1Q profit of 15 cents vs. 11 cents a year ago on 26% sales increase and same-store sales rise by 4.4% vs. 19% a year ago. Shares are trading lower by a fraction.

Hibbett Sporting Goods reported 1Q profit of 46 cents vs. 33 cents a year ago on 16% sales rise and 8.2% same-store sales growth. Shares are trading higher by 8.7%.

Sharper Image reported 1Q loss of 30 cents vs. profit of 13 cents a year ago on 7% revenue decline to $145 million. Shares are trading 12% lower.

Finnish paper worker’s union’s three-day old strike has brought industry to halt. The Finnish paper industry account for 15% of world production and represent 8% of Finland’s GDP and 33% of export.

Markets in Europe closed higher but only by a fraction except markets in Spain closed lower. French shares closed up a fraction on lower 1Q GDP of 0.2% and revised 4Q GDP of 0.7% from 0.9%.

Unilever agreed to sell its international fragrance business to privately held Coty for $800 million in cash.