UK Construction Eases; Xstrata Confirms Merger Talks
The UK indexes traded flat after the UK construction sector eased in January. The Irish central bank trimmed growth outlook for 2012. AstraZeneca planned to cut 7,300 jobs.
U.S. Claims Drop, Productivity Up; MasterCard Net Surges 24%
The U.S. indexes gained after weekly jobless claims fell 12,000 to 367,000 and labor productivity increased 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2011. American Airlines planned to cut 13,000 jobs. Facebook filed to raise $5 billion in initial public offering.
Euro Zone Wholesale Prices Eases; Spanish Jobless Rate at 22.9%
Euro area producer price inflation eased in December. Spanish jobless rate rose in January and Swiss trade surplus soared to record high in 2011. The National Bank of Romania cut interest rate to 5.5%.
European Markets Flat; Deutsche Net Drops 76%, Shell Net Down 4%
European markets traded mixed after France raised €7.962 billion and Spain sold €4.56 billion of debt at auctions today at lower yields. Xstrata confirmed reports regarding a merger approach from Glencore. Deutsche net plunged 76% and Royal Dutch S...
UK Manufacturing Expands, Home Prices Fall
The UK indexes rose more than 1% after manufacturing activity rose to an eight-month high, home prices fell, and Irish manufacturing sector declined in January. Traders were optimistic that the Greek debt-swap talks too would be resolved by the weekend.
U.S. Private Employment Rises; CBO Projects $1.1 T Deficit
The U.S. indexes gained after employment in the U.S. private sector grew in January The Congressional Budget Office projected a $1.1 trillion federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2012. Mattel completed acquisition of HIT Entertainment for $680 million.
Euro Area Inflation at 2.7%; Manufacturing Activity Mixed
Manufacturing activity in the euro area was mixed and French manufacturing activity declining further in January. Euro area annual inflation remained unchanged but German flash consumer price inflation rate fell in January. Norwegian jobless rate rose ...
European Indexes Up; NYSE, Deutsche Boerse Merger Terminated
European markets rose after Germany and Portugal completed bond auctions at lower yields. The European Commission blocked the proposed merger of NYSE Euronext with Deutsche Boerse. Dassault Aviation was named as a preferred bidder for fighter jets by I...
UK Confidence at 7-Month High; BSkyB Profit Rises
The UK indexes gained after consumer confidence improved in January and loan approvals for home purchase climbed in December. Essar ordered to pay $1.235 billion of sales tax deferment benefit, plus interest accrued. BSkyB first-half revenue increased 6%.
EU Summit Sparks Optimism; Exxon Net Rises 2%
The U.S. indexes gained on optimism of a resolution to the Greek debt-swap deal. McKesson agreed to acquire private label and drug franchise retail business of Canada based Katz Group for C$920 million. Exxon quarterly net rose 2%.
French Consumer Spending Falls; Euro Area Jobless Rate Above 10%
Euro area jobless rate remain unchanged but stayed above 10% in December as Spanish jobless rate rose to 22.9% and Greek rate to 19.2%. German retail sales dropped and French consumer spending fell in December. Spanish inflation eased in January.
EU Adopts Fiscal Compact; ThyssenKrupp, Outokumpu in €2.7 B Deal
European leaders agreed on the fiscal compact that will pave the way for the European Central Bank involvement. Czech Republic and UK dissented. ThyssenKrupp agreed to sell its Finnish unit for €2.7 billion.
