Retail, Service Sector Indexes Decline

123jump.com Staff
05 Feb, 2008
New York City

Retail sales index in euro area in December fell 2.0% from a year ago but rose 0.7% for 2007 from a year ago. Only yesterday, Eurostat reported industrial producer price index rose 4.3% in December from a year ago and added 2.8% in 2007. Third largest truck maker in Europe, MAN AG reported third quarter earnings rise of 33% on revenue gain of 38%. Veolia profit rose 18% on 14% rise in sales in the fourth quarter.

[R]10:00PM Frankfurt, 4:00PM New York, 8:00AM Sydney – European markets closed lower after a weak read on service sector index for January in the U.S.[/R]

European Markets

In London FTSE 100 Index closed lower 158.20 or 2.63% to 5,868.00, in Paris CAC 40 Index decreased 196.78 or 3.96% to close at 4,776.86 and in Frankfurt DAX index lower 235.24 or 3.36% to close at 6,765.25. In Zurich trading SMI decreased 234.29 or 3.02% to close at 7,517.41.

North American Markets indexes

Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 370.03 or 2.93% to a close of 12,265.13, S&P 500 closed down 44.160 or 3.20% to 1,336.66, and Nasdaq Composite Index traded down 73.28 or 3.08% to a close of 2,309.57.

In Toronto TSX Composite closed down 315.16 or 2.38% to close at 12,943.00.

Of the 30 stocks in Dow Jones Industrial Average, none closed higher, 30 closed lower, and none were unchanged.

Citigroup led the decliners in the index with a fall of 7.2% followed by losses in Intel Corp of 5.05%, in JP Morgan Chase of 4.8%, in Home Depot of 4.7%, in Verizon of 4.6%, and in Caterpillar of 4.6%.

There were no gainers in the index.

Of the stocks in S&P 500, 17 closed higher, 481 fell, and 2 were unchanged. Three stocks rose more than 3% and two hundred and seventy one stocks fell more than 3%.

Whirlpool led the gainers in the index with a rise of 10% followed by gains in Computer Sciences of 6.03%, in Avon products of 5%, and in Google of 2.3%. NYSE Euronext led the decliners in the index with a fall of 14% followed by losses in Principal Financial of 11%, in MGIC Investment of 10%, and in AMD of 8.9%.


South American Markets Indexes

In Latin Markets Mexico led the decliners in the region with a loss of 4.56% followed by decreases in Peru of 3.55%, Chile of 3.30%, in Colombia of 2.02%, and in Argentina of 1.43%.

Brazil is closed for holiday on Monday and Tuesday and Mexico was closed on Monday..

Asian Markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 114.20 or 0.82% to 13,745.50, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 223.38 or 0.89% closed to 24,808.70, in Australia ASX 200 index lower 74.50 or 1.27% to close 5,792.90.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 6.44 or 0.38% to close at 1,696.57, in Thailand SET index closed lower 3.88 or 0.48% to 807.68, and Indonesia JSE Index edged increased 2.62 or 0.10% to 2,704.25. Sensex index in India increased 2.84 or 0.02% to 18,663.16.



Bond Yields increased on 10-year U.S. bonds to 3.64% and on 30-year bonds gained to 4.32%.

[R]Commodities, Metals, and Currencies[/R]

Crude oil fell $1.79 to close at $88.23 per barrel for a front month contract, natural gas increased 10 cents to $7.97 per mBtu, and gasoline futures decreased 5.41 cents to close at 225.69 cents per gallon.

Gold decreased $17.30 in New York trading to close at $892.10 per ounce, silver closed down 40 cents to $16.38 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery decreased 9.350 cents to 320.65 per pound and in London copper futures increased $19.50 to $7,263.00.

Dollar edged higher and traded near record against euro to $1.4641 and edged higher against yen to 106.83.


[R]1:00PM New York, 6:00PM London – Stocks in the UK fell after the worries of the U.S. economic slowdown resurfaced.[/R]

Stocks in London fell sharply after a U.S. report showed that business activity in the non-manufacturing sector fell for the first time in 58 months. The report sparked speculation that the U.S. recession may arrive faster than expected.

In London trading FTSE 100 fell 2.63% or 158.2 to 5,868.

Of the 102 FTSE 100 stocks 3 rose, 98 declined, and 1 was unchanged. Taylor Wimpey led decliners with a drop of 8.12% after HSBOS downgraded homebuilders.

Other homebuilders fell as well. Home Retail Group slipped 6.48% and British Land Co. shed 4.76%.

The U.S. Institute for Manufacturing reported today on its web site in its January 2008 Report On Business that business activity in the non-manufacturing sector fell in January for the first time in 58 months.

According to the report, the New Orders Index fell the most since October at 43.5% and the Employment Index contracted the most since February 2002 at 43.9%

“The overall indication in January is that non-manufacturing has come to the end of a long-term period of growth and has contracted for the month of January,"" read part of the report.

Of the 102 FTSE 100 stocks Shire Plc led advancers with a rise of 0.85% followed by rises in Scottish & Newcastle of 0.19%, and in BP Plc of 0.18%.

BP Plc rose after the company reported quarterly earnings rose 53% to $4.406 billion from $2.88 billion a year ago. The company also increased its dividend payout to 13.5 cents from 10.3 cents a year ago. The full year 2007 earnings fell 5.5% to $20.8 billion on 6.2% rise in sales to $291.4 billion. The management also confirmed plans to eliminate 5,000 jobs in the next eighteen months.

Taylor Wimpey led decliners in the FTSE 100 index stocks with a decline of 8.12% followed by losses in Kingfisher of 7.81%, in Persimmon of 7.34%, in Next Plc of 7.16%, and in Schroders Plc of 7.07%.

Homebuilders declined after a brokerage HSBOS downgraded its rating on the industry and noted that the outlook in the industry is bearish.

Reuters news online reported today that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the move by China to become the largest shareholder in Rio Tinto Plc may warrant an investigation under the country’s foreign ownership.

Rinto Tinto closed down 1.68% and BHP Billiton fell 3.15%, which has to decide tomorrow on its formal offer for the Australian mining company.


[R]11:30AM New York – U.S. stocks declined after a weak read on the service sector in the economy.[/R]

Market averages came under heavy pressure in the morning trading after sharply lower read on the service sector in the economy. The non-manufacturing index dropped to 41.90 in January from 54.4 in December. The sharp reversal in the read unnerved the market.

Economists were looking for a read between 51 and 53 in index in January. Any reading on the index below 50 suggests that the sector is shrinking and above 50 suggests that the sector is growing.

The read, if accurate, indicates that U.S. economy is retreating, that too, sharply. However, the accuracy of the survey has been questioned by economists in the past. Its predictive power of the recessionary trend has been low and more data in the subsequent will clarify the picture.

Nervous investors sold stocks in the morning and the U.S. treasuries gained. S&P 500, Dow Jones declined 1.7%, and Nasdaq fell 1.5%.

Whirlpool ((WHR)) jumped $7.60 or 9.3% to $89.15 after it reported better than expected fourth quarter earnings. Earnings in the quarter from continuing operations of $187 million increased 41% to a record $2.38 per diluted share compared to $133 million, or $1.67 per diluted share reported during the previous year''s quarter. Revenue of $5.3 billion for the quarter increased 7% from the $5.0 billion in the previous year.

Full-year 2007 earnings from continuing operations were $8.10 per diluted share, up 28 percent from the $6.35 per diluted share reported in the same period last year. The company reported record annual net sales of $19.4 billion, an increase of 7% from the prior year.

International sales and cost savings from recently acquired Maytag lifted the earnings.

Operating profit increased 74 percent to $332 million and operating profit margins expanded 2.4 percent from the previous year. Fourth-quarter operating results benefited from cost- efficiency realization associated with the previous year''s acquisition of Maytag, productivity improvements, improved product mix and a favorable net currency impact.

Church & Dwight rose 3.8% or $2.00 to $54.92 after reporting fourth quarter earnings.

Church & Dwight ((CHD)) reported full-year 2007 sales increased 14% to $2.22 billion from $1.95 billion in 2006. Organic sales growth for 2007 was approximately 5%, adjusting for revenue related to acquisitions and foreign exchange.

Earnings per share were up 19% to $2.46 compared to $2.07 in the prior year. Cash flow from operations increased 34% to $249 million compared to $186 million in 2006, and free cash flow (cash from operations less capital expenditures) was up 44% to $200 million versus $139 million in the prior year.

Net income was $31.7 million in the fourth quarter or $0.46 per share, an increase of $0.10 per share from the prior period’s net income of $23.9 million or $0.36 per share.

This year’s fourth quarter results include a $3.5 million charge relating to the reorganization of the Company’s Canadian business and trademark impairment charges of $4.2 million related to certain international brands. Last year’s results included $12.9 million of charges related to trademark impairments and a loss on the sale of a small U.S. plant.

Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 10% to $579.7 million. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of foreign exchange, increased approximately 9% in the quarter.

The company forecasted 13% rise in earnings in the year 2008 to $2.77 per share despite rising commodities costs and slowing economy.

The company is planning to launch new versions of condoms named Thintensity and Magnum thin to complement its Trojan product line. In addition, in the first quarter of 2008, First Response is launching a digital pregnancy test kit and a daily ovulation test kit.

In oral and skin care, the Company will be expanding its Nair depilatory product line with Nair Shower Power, a convenient way to remove hair in the shower, and Nair Soothing Wax strips.

The Company will also be introducing three new SpinBrush products in the battery-powered toothbrush category, and launching two new oral care products under the Arm & Hammer name: Age Defying toothpaste, to protect and rebuild enamel; and Whitening Booster, an additive used with any toothpaste for convenient whitening.

In Household products, the Company recently launched Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent with Oxi Clean stain fighters in both powdered and liquid form.


[R]10:00AM New York, 7:30PM Mumbai - Sensex slightly advanced, India safe from global crisis-IMF.[/R]

Market Sentiment

India markets closed flat on Tuesday with the 30-share BSE Sensex marginally surging 0.02% or 2.84 at 18,663.16. The broader based CNX S&P Nifty was up 0.4% or 20.4 to 5,483.90.

The market recovered from the early sell-off but managed to regain early losses. Metal stocks advanced with Jindal Steel & Power Hindalco Industries registering gains. Auto and banking stock fell and healthcare stocks rose.

Market liquidity may improve after Reliance Power refunds investors who failed to get any allocation of shares. The recent volatility in the market may not attract all the investments that will be returned.

Reliance Power raised a record $3 billion in its initial share sale in January. The company has begun refunding excess application money to investors. The initial public offer had received bids for $190 billion.

Of the BSE shares, 1,900 advanced, 887 declined, and 35 stocks remained unchanged. As 16 Sensex index shares advanced, the rest declined.

Daily turnover on the BSE touched 5,301 crore rupees and turnover on the National Stock Exchange was at 12,323 crore rupees.

Gainers and Losers

Reliance Natural Resources was the most active stock on the BSE with a turnover of 330.81 crore rupees. Reliance Communications, Reliance Petroleum, NTPC and Ispat Industries were other stocks on the most active list.

Of the BSE shares, National Aluminium Company shed 1.6% to 413.85 rupees and Sterlite Industries was down 1.4% to 836.3 rupees.

Hero Honda Motors fell 5.6% to 726.8 rupees and Bajaj Auto fell 2.24% to 2,404 rupees. Mahindra & Mahindra slipped 2.2% to 680.55 rupees.

HDFC Bank shed 2.1% to 1,515.1 rupees and the State Bank of India fell 1.9% to 2,228.35 rupees.

Tata Consultancy Services shed 2.7% to 949.45 rupees, Wipro was down 2.1% to 454.3 rupees, and Infosys lost 1.9% to 1,611.25 rupees.

Ranbaxy Laboratories was up 3.8% to 387.25 rupees, Sun Pharmaceuticals gained 1.4% to 1,123.6 rupees, Cipla advanced 1.8% to 202.95 rupees and Dr. Reddy''s Laboratories grew 3.1% to 544.45 rupees.

Larsen & Toubro rose 1.3% to 3,855.05 rupees.

Tata Steel rose 1.9% to 817.8 rupees. According to news reports, Tata Steel has lost its bid to buy the rights to iron ore reserves in Liberia to the Johannesburg-based Delta Mining Consolidated Company.

Reliance Group Update

Reliance Communications declined 1.2% to 677 rupees despite Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India, granting approval to Reliance Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, for providing CDMA services in Assam and North East service areas.

Reliance Industries rose 0.9% to 2,616 rupees. The Bombay High Court will hear petitions on the gas supply dispute between Reliance Industries and Reliance Natural Resources on Tuesday.

ICICI Bank Splits Home Lending Unit

ICICI Bank fell 1.7% to 1,189.8 rupees ICICI has reportedly decided to split its home loans business between itself and an unit called ICICI Home Finance Company. The bank will fund home loans of up to 20 lakh rupees, with the unit handling the rest.

Maruti Suzuki Product Launch

Maruti Suzuki India declined 2.7% to 872.35 rupees. Maruti Suzuki may launch a 1.5 rupees lakh car by end of this year or early next year to challenge Tata Motors'' Nano.

The reports said the car will have a Suzuki 660cc engine, bigger than 623 cc engine in Nano produced by Tata Motors. The new car from Suzuki will be priced at 150,000 rupees compared to 125,000 rupees for Nano. Tata Motors declined 1.9% to 755.5 rupees.

International Markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 114.20 or 0.82% to 13,745.50, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 223.38 or 0.89% closed to 24,808.70, in Australia ASX 200 index lower 74.50 or 1.27% to close 5,792.90.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 6.44 or 0.38% to close at 1,696.57, in Thailand SET index closed lower 3.88 or 0.48% to 807.68, and Indonesia JSE Index edged increased 2.62 or 0.10% to 2,704.25. Sensex index in India increased 2.84 or 0.02% to 18,663.16.

In London FTSE 100 Index closed lower 158.20 or 2.63% to 5,868.00, in Paris CAC 40 Index decreased 196.78 or 3.96% to close at 4,776.86 and in Frankfurt DAX index lower 235.24 or 3.36% to close at 6,765.25. In Zurich trading SMI decreased 234.29 or 3.02% to close at 7,517.41.


6:00AM New York, 6:00PM Hong- Chinese Yuan rises to record at 7.1846 against the U.S. dollar.[/R]

Stocks in Hong Kong declined on profit taking before the markets close for the Lunar New Year holidays and concern on the deterioration of the global economic outlook. Shipping lines, realty stocks and financial institutions fell as a result.

In Hong Kong trading the Hang Seng Index dropped 0.89% or 223.38 to 24,808.70, and the China Enterprises index of H-shares slumped 0.57% to 14,040.68.

Daily turnover on main-board was HK$85.03 billion compared to HK$117.6 billion yesterday.

Hong Kong trading will close after the morning session tomorrow and will be opened again on Monday next week.

The China People’s Daily online edition reported that the International Commercial Bank of China has been given regulatory approval to acquire 20% equity in South African bank Standard Bank for $5.46 billion.

Shareholders from both financial institutions have approved the transaction, and the South Africa Registrar of Banks and the Johannesburg Securities Exchange have also sanctioned the deal.

Separately, the online publication reported that a Lishui municipal intermediate people’s court in the eastern Zhejiang Province yesterday jailed former securities director of Shanghai listed Hangxiao Steel Structure Chen Yuxing and slapped two accomplices with a fine of Rmb 80.74 million for insider trading after recovering illegal gains of Rmb 40.37 million worth of illegal gains.

Financial stocks declined on profit taking. China Life fell 1.09 % to HK$31.90 and China Construction Bank shed 1.94% to HK$6.08.

Shipping lines fell on speculation the global economic growth is slowing. China Shipping Development lost 5.33% to HK$21.30 and China Shipping Container Lines slipped 4.27% at HK$3.14.

Realty and mining stocks traded lower ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays. New World Development declined 5.34% to HK$22.15 and Cheung Kong slid 2.07% to HK$123.30.

Also of Jiangxi Copper Co Ltd edged down 2.76 % to HK$15.48.

UBS reported yesterday that the telecommunications were unlikely to be highly profitable in the short-term as a restructure in the industry was likely to delay the launch of third generation mobile services. China Telecom dropped 0.5% and China Netcom shed 3.35% as a result.

Retailer Li & Fung, which relies on North America for its products, shed 5.21% at HK$29.10 on the economic worries in the U.S.

Sinopec gained 2.13% to HK$9.59 after crude oil for March delivery climbed down 0.9% to $89.60 per barrel.


[R]5:00AM New York, 7:00PM Tokyo – Weaker than expected corporate earnings dragged market index lower. Toyota, Sanyo Electric, Yamaha Motor, and Mitsubishi Estates reported earnings.[/R]


Stocks in Japan traded in negative territory on weaker corporate results announced to the market.

Market Sentiment

In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 declined 0.82% or 114.2 to 13,745.50 while the broader Topix Index fell 0.7% or 9.24% to 106.97.

In the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange 9.5 billion shares worth 1.1 trillion yen were traded and in the second section 516 billion shares valued at 4.8 billion yen changed hands.

Earnings News

Toyota Motor Corp reported today that third quarter net income rose 7.5%n to 458 billion yen from 426 billion yen a year ago and forecasted that full-year net revenues will climb 6.5% to 25 trillion yen. Net income is also projected to rise 3.4% to 1.7 trillion yen. Toyota stock fell as much as 4.8% in the late afternoon trading.

Yamaha Motor Corp announced today that its net sales for the fiscal year ending December 31 rose 11% to 1.7 trillion yen, while operating income increased by 2.8% to 126 billion yen from 123 billion yen a year ago.

The net income however fell 7.8% to 71.2 billion from 77.2 billion a year earlier. Yamaha forecasts that for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 will plunge 17.2% to 59 billion yen. The stock closed down 0.23%.

Mitsubishi Rayon Co declined after the company slashed its annual profit target by 30%. Sumitomo Chemical Co said it had only achieved 63% of its full year operating profit target.

Metals and Commodities

Of the Nikkei 225 stocks 95 gained, 122 declined, and 8 were unchanged. Itochu Corp. led advancers with a rise of 6.15% followed by Konami Corp gaining 5.54%.

Crude oil prices continued to fall on speculation that U.S. inventories increased to 2.2 million barrels last week.

Crude oil for March delivery fell 0.5% to $89.60 per barrel, while contract prices gained 1.2% to $90.02 per barrel yesterday. Nippon Oil Corp slipped 4.80% as a result.

Platinum prices extended gains from last week and rose 0.6% to 5,900 per gram on the Tokyo Commodities Exchange and platinum for immediate delivery jumped 0.4% to $1,805 an ounce on expectations that output from South Africa will continue to decline on power rationing.

Sumitomo Metal Industries rose 1.19% and Sumitomo Metal Mining advanced 2.76%.

Merger News

The Japan Times online edition reported today that Sapporo Holdings Limited announced in a statement that its panel, consisting of one lawyer and two outside experts, had judged that the Steel Partners Japan’s buyout proposal will hurt shareholders.

The panel believes that “the buyout plan is highly likely to hurt Sapporo Holdings Limited corporate value and it would be extremely harmful to the common interest of shareholders.”

Steel Partners recently proposed a tender offer to raise its stake 66.6% from the 17.52% equity it currently holds if the brewer’s board of directors approved the move.

The yen advanced 0.24% from 106.97 to 106.95 at the close of trade.

Gainers and Losers

Itochu Corp. led advancers of the Nikkei 225 index shares with a rise of 6.15% followed by rises in Konami Corp. of 5.54%, in Yahoo Japan Corp. of 5%, in Japan Tobacco of 4.91%, and in Denki Kagaku of 4.23%.

Mitsubishi Rayon Co. led decliners of the Nikkei index shares with a fall of 17.14% followed by rises in Olympus Corp. of 13.89%, in Sapporo Holdings of 6.87%, in Konica Minolta Holdings of 6.81%, and Sumitomo Realty of 6.09%.

Asian Markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 114.20 or 0.82% to 13,745.50, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 223.38 or 0.89% closed to 24,808.70, in Australia ASX 200 index lower 74.50 or 1.27% to close 5,792.90.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 6.44 or 0.38% to close at 1,696.57, in Thailand SET index closed lower 3.88 or 0.48% to 807.68, and Indonesia JSE Index edged increased 2.62 or 0.10% to 2,704.25. Sensex index in India increased 2.84 or 0.02% to 18,663.16.

[R]3:00AM New York, 7:00PM Sydney- Australia increased rates by 0.25% to 7%.[/R]

ASX 200 index lost 1.3% or 74.5 to close at 5,792.90.


The Preliminary market turnover was 1.59 billion shares worth $5.47 billion, with 422 stocks moving up, 765 stocks moving down and 344 unchanged.

Reserve Bank of Australia Hikes Rates

The Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 7%. The accompanying statement from the Governor Glenn Stevens suggested that the inflation is running above the bank’s target. The statement highlighted, “But given the extent of pressure on capacity and the build-up in inflation, a significant slowing in demand from its recent pace is likely to be necessary to reduce inflation over time.

The Board took careful note of recent events abroad and developments in financial markets. The world economy is slowing and it now appears likely that global growth will be below trend in 2008. Recent trends in world commodity markets suggest, however, that Australia’s terms of trade are likely to rise further.”

Australia''s largest mortgage lender, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and others immediately passed the increase in rates to borrowers. The bank lifted the 12-month introductory rate available to new customers on its TeleNet Saver and Business Telenet Saver by 30 basis points each to 7.50% and 7.15% respectively.

National Australia Bank said it had not yet decided whether to lift its interest rates. BankWest lifted the interest rates on its deposit products after the RBA''s announcement.

News Corp Earnings

News Corporation today reported second quarter net income of $832 million or $0.27 per share compared to $822 million or $0.26 per share on a diluted combined basis in the second quarter a year ago.

Revenue in the second quarter increased to $8.59 billion from $7.844 billion, an increase 0f 9%. For the first half revenue increased to $15.6 billion from $13.75 billion and earnings increased to $1.56 billion from $1.665 billion.

Cable Network Programming operating income up 23% despite launch costs for the Fox Business Network and the Big Ten Network. Growth was led by gains at the Fox News Channel, the Regional Sports Networks and Fox International Channels.

SKY Italia generated operating income of $62 million, an improvement of $74 million versus a year ago, reflecting net subscriber additions of 400,000 over the past 12 months as the subscriber base expands to 4.43 million.

Television operating income more than doubled, increasing $133 million, as ratings improved and increased pricing fuel advertising growth at the FOX broadcast network.

Filmed Entertainment delivered operating income of $403 million on strength of home entertainment titles and successful theatrical release slate.


Qantas Averts Strike

Qantas Airways Ltd today announced the finalization of 14 months of talks with its engineers 3% increase in annual pay backdated to January 2007. The engineers had been asking for a 5% pay increase.

The company also agreed to make greater company contributions to pension funds. The airline will increase pension contributions to at least 10% of workers'' salaries, 1% above government-mandated minimum of 9% and change the number and spread of part- time employees.

The company said the deal was subject to a formal vote of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association''s 1,600 workers at Qantas. The airline has more than 5,000 domestic flights a week to 57 destinations.

Qantas shares fell 2.1%. Qantas last year indicated that it was expecting record profits after flying more domestic passengers. Pretax earnings were due to rise by 40% to $1.44 billion for the year ending June.

Consolidated Media Merger Update

Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd says it would open its books to its suitor to allow it to conduct due diligence. Illyria, which is owned by Lachlan Murdoch and its equity partners, are seeking to form a 50/50 joint venture with Cons Media shareholder, James Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings. They have offered $3.3 billion in cash and stock for the company.

Gainers and Losers

Of the ASX 200 index shares, Boom Logistics led the gainers with a rise of 8% followed by increases in Macarthur Coal of 5.4%, in Sunland Group of 3.6%, Queensland Gas in of 3.2%, and in Singap Telec of 3%.

Of the ASX 200 index stocks, Valad Property led the decliners with a fall of 18% followed by losses in AED Oil Limited of 10.1%, in Centro Retail of 9.6%, in Centro Properties of 9.3% and in Bradken of 8.1%.

Mitsubishi Plant Closure

About 1,000 Mitsubishi Australia workers will be jobless next month after the company announced today that it will close its Adelaide factory at the end of March.

Mitsubishi management told reporters that the closure of the Tonsley Park factory is a commercial decision, forced by the high Australian dollar and falling sales for the Adelaide-built Mitsubishi 380 model.

The Federal Government announced a $50 million package to help Mitsubishi workers affected by the closure of its South Australian plant. The $50 million package is made up of $35 million from the Federal Government, $10 million from the South Australian Government and Mitsubishi would contribute $5 million.

BHP Earnings Estimate

Analysts have indicated that they are looking forward to a strong interim profit announcement by mining giant BHP Billiton tomorrow. The interim results were expected to eclipse the previous corresponding result of $6.84 billion. Analysts’ earnings forecast range from the low of $6.9 billion to $8.8 billion.

ABN Amro analyst Warren Edney told reporters that he was forecasting a profit of $6.99 billion ($6.3 billion) and that investors would be looking for an update by the resources giant on impact of flooding in Queensland on its coal operations and power issues in South Africa.

Heavy rain in central Queensland forced the closure of a number of coal operations last month, while electricity shortages in South Africa have disrupted mining and smelting operations.


Murchison Bid for Midwest Expires

Murchison Metals Ltd has thrown in the towel in its $900 million takeover bid for Midwest Corporation Ltd. The company has however said it would not be averse to a counter offer by its rival.

Murchison managing director Trevor Matthews told reporters that the company would also consider a scrip-based merger as their shareholders would still participate in a much bigger asset base and a much bigger, more certain development.

Murchison''s bid expired on Tuesday, leaving it with a 4.8% stake.

Matthews also said that the company was considering divesting its stake in Midwest but cast doubt over the success of China''s Sinosteel Corporation bid. Sinosteel has offered to buy Midwest for $1.19 billion. Murchison closed up two cents to $3.98, while Midwest finished down 17 cents to $4.95.

Global engineering services provider, Ausenco Limited today announced that it has agreed to acquire multi-discipline engineering services business, the Pipeline Systems Incorporated group.

PSI has the leading global position in the design and delivery of slurry pipeline transport systems including long distance slurry pipelines and tailings disposal systems. The acquisition complements Ausenco''s mining and minerals processing engineering services business and provides diversification into the process infrastructure-engineering sector.

Australian Dollar - Unchanged

The dollar closed firmer but off its overnight highs as today''s interest rate hike by the domestic central bank garnered little response from investors. At the close the Australian dollar was trading at US$0.9074/77, up from yesterday''s close of US$0.9047/52.