- Elena
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
U.S. stock futures indicated a flat to lower market opening after five straight sessions of gains and ahead of a three-day weekend. Economic data weighed on the sentiment after the Labor Department reported the number of jobless claims increased last week, indicating continued pressure on the economy. Investors were also digesting overseas monetary policy moves and a downgrade of Micron Technology stock.
- Ivaylo
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Asian markets closed mostly lower on Thursday, as Japanese Nikkei average ended lower as investors booked profits on large-cap stocks. Chinese stocks, however, hit a fourth straight record, while Singapore reached new highs for a second session. Markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Philippines were closed for a public holiday.
- Elena
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Constellation Brands, wine and spirits producer and marketer, posted 26% net income increase in Q4, boosted by strong wine sales. Earnings for the fiscal quarter rose to $70.2 million, or 29 cents a share, up from $58.2 million, or 24 cents a share. On a comparable basis, it earned 35 cents a share, above expectations of 34 cents a share.
- Ivaylo
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
The benchmark index opened slightly higher but soon weak global markets sent the market lower. The Sensex rebounded in late trading on firm buying in metal and cement stocks. Tata Steel led the gainers, together with Reliance Energy and Grasim. Dr Reddy
- Ivaylo
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
French aerospace group Safran was in the focus on European markets on Thursday on reports it could merge with defence electronics group Thales. Stocks fell after China decided to reduce bank lending, raising concern investment will slow down. By mid morning, the main indices were lower as caution was the key word ahead of the Easter holiday weekend. Frankfurt Xetra Dax was flat, the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.2% and London FTSE 100 was flat.
- Ivaylo
- 05 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Copper futures surged Wednesday, helped by short covering and fund buying. Copper has risen steadily in recent sessions, supported by influences including more demand especially from China, than supply. In precious metals trading, gold ended sharply higher, helped by fund buying. Silver and platinum tracked gold, although palladium remained range-bound and finished with a small loss.
- 123jump.com Staff
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Markets in New York and Europe were little changed. U.S. employment report showed March gain in private-sector payrolls, slightly below expectations. Commerce Department reported a lower-than-expected increase of 1% in February factory orders. Microsoft rose 2.5%, Monster Worldwide declined 13%, and Jackson Hewitt rose 10%. Latin American and Asian markets rose. Australia kept rates unchaged. Oil fell but stayed above $64 on a deal between the U.S., Iran and Britain on British sailor release.
- 123jump.com Staff
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Monster Worldwide fell on lowered revenue outlook for the first quarter. Best Buy profit profit in the fourth quarter rose 18.5% but stock fell after rising in the monrning trading. Candle maker Blyth rose on return to profitability. Positive brokerage comments on Microsoft Corp. lent support, with shares of the software maker up 2.3%. General Electric fell 0.5% and Citigroup was down 0.3%.
- Elena
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Dow component Microsoft moved notably higher after Citigroup raised its U.S. Q3 estimates for the company after a successful launch of Windows Vista, Office 2007, and SharePoint Server by the company. Company''''s stock rose 3%. Altria Group provided further support to the blue-chip average, rising 1%. However, Walt Disney was a notable drag, falling 1%.
- Elena
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
European stocks closed modestly higher on Wednesday, helped by strength among travel and technology stocks which offset some weakness from oil and gas firms. A decline in the shares of DaimlerChrysler also limited the upward movement. The automaker fell 1.5% after Chairman Zetsche confirmed that there are talks with unidentified buyers for Chrysler. The French CAC-40 added 0.5%, the German DAX Xetra 30 index gained 0.4% and the U.K. FTSE 100 finished flat at 6,364.70.
- Elena
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
U.S. stocks traded in a volatile fashion, reflecting weaker-than-expected reports on the service-sector, employment, and on factory orders. The ISM reported that the nation''s service economy expanded at a slower pace in March, with index coming in at 52.4, down from 54.3 in February. Also, factory orders rose by a disappointing 1% in February, below expectations of an increase of 1.9%.
- Elena
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
U.S. stocks opened little changed Wednesday, reflecting mixed reports from electronics retailers and a disappointing estimate on U.S. employment. Stocks received help from news of easing global political tensions, with Iran promising to release 15 detained sailors and marines. In corporate news, Best Buy rose 1% after reporting 19% rise in Q4 profit. Rival Circuit City Stores posted an unexpected loss because of lower sales. The stock lost 0.3%.
- Ivaylo
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Shares, such as Kingfisher, Alliance & Leicester, Pearson and Hanson went ex-dividend. A fresh round of bid speculation broke out on Wednesday on rumours of possible takeover bids for Home Retail Group and SSL. Home Retail hit a new high after Citigroup upgraded it. Bid gossip surrounded mid-cap SSL as it has been regularly named as a target with Johnson & Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser. By late morning, the FTSE 100 had a mixed start and was down 6.8 points at 6,359.3.
- Ivaylo
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Asian stocks ended in positive territory on Wednesday, spurred by a rally in the auto sector while stronger U.S. home-sales data and falling crude-oil prices cheered investors on the growth outlook in the region most important export market. Sydney advanced to a record close, bolstered by the central bank decision to leave its benchmark interest rate at 6.25%. Stock-market indexes advanced in Taiwan, South Korea, China, Singapore and Indonesia.
- Elena
- 04 Apr, 2007
- New York City
Chairman Zetsche said the automaker is in talks with unidentified buyers about a possible sale. However, according to reports, Canadian auto-parts supplier Magna International Inc. submitted a bid to buy the business for as much as $4.7 billion. In addition, Cerberus Capital Management LLC and a consortium of investors led by Blackstone Group are also expected to make bids.