Showing posts with label ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin. Show all posts

Thursday, August 2, 2012

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin


ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news

Thursday, 02 August 2012

London Market Report
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Markets look to the ECB for a boost

    Market Movers
    techMARK 2,088.54 -0.30%
    FTSE 100 5,723.51 +0.19%
    FTSE 250 11,170.73 -0.14%
Fed holds fire on further stimulus
BoE and ECB decisions expected later today
ECB expected to do 'whatever it takes'

The Footsie rose moderately on Thursday morning in spite of the Federal Reserve disappointing US markets last night, as investors looked ahead to key policy decisions in the UK and Europe later on today.

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee yesterday decided to leave all its main policy settings unchanged, including most of the language employed in its post-meeting statement. While Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke noted that the recovery had lost momentum - leading to suggestions that more QE may be on the way - analyst Craig Erlam from Alpari said this morning: "Bernanke's comments appeared very similar to those of the previous meetings and with the Fed reaffirming their commitment to Operation Twist until the end of the year, I'd be surprised to see QE3 announced next month."

Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) from the Bank of England (BoE) is due to make an announcement at midday and while the BoE hinted about a potential rate cut at the last meeting, it is widely expected to maintain the Bank Rate at 0.5% and its asset purchase programme at £375bn. "Although we expect the MPC to loosen policy further the current asset purchase plan is due to run until November, and we believe the MPC will wait until then before making any further changes," said analysts
at Barclays Capital.

However, the big event of the day will most likely be the European Central Bank's (ECB's) decision at lunchtime. Last week, ECB President Mario Draghi said that he was prepared to do do "whatever it takes to preserve the euro…and believe me, it will be big enough".

"Today, ECB President Draghi will restate his commitment to intervening in the sovereign-debt market if needed. For the time being, however, the ECB will probably prefer other measures (involving EFSF money) being adopted," said analysts at UniCredit this morning in an e-mailed report.
FTSE 100: Smith & Nephew on the up after ramping divi
Medical devices specialist Smith & Nephew rose despite reporting a slight decline in second-quarter trading profit and revenue, as it whacked up its dividend, embarking on a progressive dividend policy on the back of the success of its recent restructuring.

Asset manager Schroders also gained after reporting an increase in assets under management over the first half; however, profits slipped year-on-year.

Heading the other way was temporary power and temperature control group Aggreko which said that underlying first-half revenues were affected by weakness in Europe, where growth is "patchy".

Also lower was defence contractor BAE Systems which is suffering from reduced military spending in both the US and UK, while a crucial fighter jet deal with Saudi Arabia has been hit by delays. First-half sales were down 11%.

RSA Insurance Group advanced after claiming a solid performance in a challenging environment in the first half of 2012, even though profits fell by more than a third.
FTSE 250: SEGRO gains after first-half results, disposal
Industrial property group SEGRO rose strongly after saying that pre-tax profits gained 5.3% in the first half despite net rental income falling by 3.4%. The firm also reported today that it has completed the sale of a portfolio of 10 non-core UK industrial estates for £110m.

Natural resources, land and property consultancy group RPS was in demand after revealing a slight increase in pre-tax profit during the second half and saying it remains on course to meet full year forecasts.

Communications technology firm Spirent Communications tanked after it cautioned that overall growth in the second half may reduce to mid- to low-single digit increase amid ongoing macro-economic uncertainty.

High-flying Ophir Energy disappointed the market, dropping 9%, as it revealed its gas discovery at the Papa-1 well off the coast of Tanzania is likely to contain lower recoverable resources than it had hoped for.

FTSE 100 - Risers
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 673.00p +2.05%
Schroders (SDR) 1,311.00p +1.47%
BP (BP.) 432.85p +1.12%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,740.00p +1.06%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 164.10p +1.05%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 3,468.50p +0.83%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 1,595.00p +0.82%
Diageo (DGE) 1,751.50p +0.81%
Carnival (CCL) 2,194.00p +0.78%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,529.00p +0.76%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Aggreko (AGK) 2,061.00p -2.78%
GKN (GKN) 206.80p -2.22%
BAE Systems (BA.) 307.00p -1.73%
Evraz (EVR) 234.70p -1.39%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 958.50p -1.24%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,897.50p -1.17%
Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 384.60p -1.08%
IMI (IMI) 824.00p -1.08%
Ashmore Group (ASHM) 327.40p -1.00%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 30.40p -0.98%

FTSE 250 - Risers
SEGRO (SGRO) 237.50p +4.72%
Ruspetro (RPO) 152.20p +3.26%
RPS Group (RPS) 240.00p +1.95%
NMC Health (NMC) 199.80p +1.94%
FirstGroup (FGP) 234.50p +1.87%
Interserve (IRV) 326.70p +1.87%
TUI Travel (TT.) 186.50p +1.80%
Stagecoach Group (SGC) 291.70p +1.78%
Redrow (RDW) 128.20p +1.75%
Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 488.00p +1.60%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Spirent Communications (SPT) 140.10p -16.85%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 529.00p -9.18%
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 35.12p -5.84%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 670.00p -2.19%
Man Group (EMG) 80.25p -2.13%
Hunting (HTG) 773.00p -1.78%
Fenner (FENR) 355.50p -1.66%
Chemring Group (CHG) 288.60p -1.64%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 414.20p -1.59%
Beazley (BEZ) 154.80p -1.53%


FX round-up
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Dollar perks up after Fed

The dollar advanced against major currencies on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held back from announcing new stimulus measures to stimulate the US economy.

At the conclusion of its two-day meeting the Fed said it remained disappointed with the slow progress of bringing down the nation's jobless rate, which currently stands at 8.2 per cent.

While the central bank indicated that it would take necessary action, if needed, hopes that new measures would be announced on Wednesday were dashed. The Fed also downgraded its US economic outlook.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, climbed to 83.070 from 82.619 on Tuesday.

The dollar index had risen sharply after figures from ADP showed private-sector payrolls rose 163,000 in July, ahead of the 120,000 increase pencilled in by economists. However momentum for the dollar index later faded.

The dollar rose 0.4% against the Japanese yen to buy ¥78.42 following the conclusion of the Fed meeting.

One day ahead of the European Central Bank's monthly policy, the euro lost ground against the dollar. The ECB is widely expected to keep its main lending rate unchanged at 0.75%.

Last week ECB President Mario Draghi increased hopes that the central bank could resume its bond purchase programme, to help lower borrowing rates in Spain and Italy, after his comments that he would do everything necessary to preserve the euro.

The British pound eased to $1.5552 from $1.5682 in the previous session after a disappointing economic data and ahead of the Bank of England's monthly rate decision meeting.

The latest data showed UK manufacturing production fell at its fastest rate in over two years in July, after heavy declines in output and new orders.

Separately figures from Nationwide showed British house prices fell at their fastest annual rate in nearly three years last month.
UK Event Calendar
INTERIMS
4Imprint Group, Aggreko, Alliance Trust, BAE Systems, Ladbrokes, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Robert Walters, RPS Group, RSA Insurance Group, Schroders, Schroders (Non-Voting), SEGRO, Smith & Nephew, Spirent Communications, Trinity Mirror

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bloomberg Consumer Confidence (US) (14:45)
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
ECB Interest Rate (EU) (12:45)
Factory Orders (US) (15:00)
Goods Orders (US) (15:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Q2
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Smith & Nephew

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hyder Consulting

GMS
Forte Energy NL

IMSS
Thomas Cook Group

AGMS
AFI Development, African Minerals Ltd., Federal Bank Ltd (The) GDR (REGS), Hyder Consulting, Investec

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)
PMI Construction (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Burberry Group, Dairy Crest Group, De La Rue, Dee Valley Group, Dee Valley Group (Non-Voting), Mckay Securities, UBC Media Group



US Market Report
Stocks down as Fed says no to further stimulus

Dow Jones -32.55 to 12,976.13
Nasdaq -19.31 to 2,920.21
S&P 500 -4.00 to 1,375.32
US stocks finished the day lower across the board on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve refused to budge on monetary policy.

While the Fed opted to stay away from any further quantatitive easing, it did acknowledge that economic activity has decelerated somewhat over the first half of this year.

In other news, the ISM's manufacturing sector gauage for July came in below expectations, while private sector payrolls beat forecasts.

Companies
Pioneer Natural Resources climbed higher after second quarter revenue came in significantly higher and its net resource potential rose from five billion barrels oil equivalent to seven billion.

Botox maker Allergan was another strong riser after a positive second quarter income which reported an improved full year financial outlook.

Injectable drugs manufacturer Hospira also rose after beating analyst expectations in its second quarter results.

Meanwhile, heading the other way was DreamWorks Animation which suffered a heavy decrease in its second quarter income.

Knight Capital experienced a 20% decline in its shareprice, hitting a 12 month low, after it reported software problems which had caused subsequent routing issues.

ISM below expectations as export orders fall

The ISM´s manufacturing sector gauge for the month of July has come in at 49.8, above last month´s reading of 49.7 but below the 50.2 expected by the consensus.

This is Barclay´s opinion on the data: “Despite the modest rise in headline new orders, there was a continued decline in new export orders to 46.5. This index stood at 59.0 as recently as April, but continued concerns about weakness in Europe have clearly been weighing on manufacturing sentiment. Despite this, we expect that domestic demand, aided by softer energy prices resulting from a continued global slowdown, will help keep the overall economy growing.”

Private sector payrolls grew by 163,000 in July according to ADP, ahead of the 120,000 expected by the consensus.

Construction spending rose by 0.4% month-on-month in June, as expected.

Snippets from the Federal Reserve Statement

"Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June suggests that economic activity decelerated somewhat over the first half of this year. Growth in employment has been slow in recent months, and the unemployment rate remains elevated. Business fixed investment has continued to advance. Household spending has been rising at a somewhat slower pace than earlier in the year...

"The Committee expects economic growth to remain moderate over coming quarters and then to pick up very gradually anticipates that inflation over the medium term will run at or below the rate that it judges most consistent with its dual mandate...

"To support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that economic conditions - including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run - are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through late 2014."

Crude futures rising on inventory drop
Front month West Texas crude futures are rising by 0.97% to the $88.91 per barrel level on NYMEX.  10 year US Treasuries are down by 16/32 dollars with yields at 1.52%.

S&P 500 - Risers
CBRE Group Inc (CBG) $16.68 +7.06%
Allstate Corp. (ALL) $36.40 +6.12%
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) $11.68 +5.99%
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD) $93.86 +5.90%
Hospira Inc. (HSP) $36.39 +4.72%
United States Steel Corp. (X) $21.61 +4.65%
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH) $87.90 +4.53%
Allergan Inc. (AGN) $85.62 +4.33%
Humana Inc. (HUM) $63.91 +3.75%
MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR) $1.99 +3.65%

S&P 500 - Fallers
Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW) $4.48 -11.11%
Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (DNB) $74.50 -7.10%
J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP) $21.02 -6.62%
BMC Software Inc. (BMC) $37.51 -5.28%
First Solar Inc. (FSLR) $14.80 -4.76%
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) $69.33 -4.61%
QEP Resources Inc (QEP) $28.67 -4.53%
Netflix Inc. (NFLX) $54.50 -4.13%
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) $280.67 -3.99%
Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) $41.67 -3.61%

Thursday newspaper round-up: RBS, Spain, NYSE...
Senior government figures are discussing the possibility of buying out private investors in Royal Bank of Scotland and fully nationalising it amid mounting frustration at banks’ failure to lend to British businesses. Cabinet ministers are having conversations about whether to spend around £5bn buying up the 18 per cent of the bank the government does not own, although George Osborne, the chancellor, is opposed. [The Financial Times]

Italy’s leader Mario Monti is to make a last-ditch effort tomorrow to persuade Spain to swallow its pride and accept a formal rescue, hoping to clear the way for double-barrelled action by bail-out funds and the European Central Bank. The frantic diplomacy comes as investors wait nervously to see if German-led officials on the ECB’s governing council will stand behind the bank’s chief, Mario Draghi, who triggered a euphoric stockmarket rally last week with hints of intervention in the Spanish and Italian bond markets. [The Telegraph]

The New York Stock Exchange was forced to cancel hundreds of share trades yesterday after a technical glitch deluged traders with orders. Unusually high volume in the first 45 minutes of trading caused wild price swings in nearly 150 stocks, prompting exchange officials and federal regulators to open an investigation. Traders said that the sudden spike in volumes had sparked fears that the exchange was suffering a “flash crash” similar to the one experienced in 2010. [The Times]

British manufacturing shrank at its fastest rate for three years in July, highlighting the perilous state of the economy as the Chancellor, George Osborne, launched his Funding for Lending programme to encourage banks to lend more to businesses and households. The Markit/Cips PMI manufacturing index dropped unexpectedly sharply from 48.4 in June to 45.5 in July – any measure below 50 indicates the sector is shrinking. This is the first major economic indicator suggesting the third quarter in Britain has got off to an even worse start than the second. [The Independent]

Fashion chain Next said the Olympics has hit trading in its London stores, as tourists and locals stay away, leaving the capital a ghost town. Next is the first of the retailers to give a sense of current trading and will compound fears that the Games will fail to drag the UK out of recession. Next's chief executive, Lord Wolfson, said its 23 shops in London had been "adversely affected" and he does not expect any kind of retail boost from the Olympics. "The two weeks of the Games for retail won't be good. As with any sporting event, people tend to stay in and watch them on television rather than go out shopping." [The Guardian

Shareholders wiped out by the nationalisation of Northern Rock had their hopes of compensation dashed yesterday when the European Court of Human Rights dismissed their case. The Northern Rock Shareholders Action Group said it was shocked and saddened after it heard that the court had ruled its case was inadmissible. About 150,000 Rock shareholders, including the hedge funds RAB Capital and SRM as well as Rock employees, lost everything when the bank was nationalised after suffering a depositor run in 2007

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin


ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news
Tuesday, 31 July 2012

London Market Report
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London open: Footsie flat despite falls for BP, Weir and Fresnillo
Market Movers
  • techMARK 2,086.11 -0.09%
  • FTSE 100 5,691.29 -0.04%
  • FTSE 250 11,229.40 -0.08%
- BP, Weir and Fresnillo provide some downward pressure
- UK consumer confidence remains subdued
- Markets await the Fed and ECB

Some disappointing results from BP, Weir Group and Fresnillo were preventing gains for the Footsie on Tuesday morning; meanwhile, consumer confidence data in the UK showed that sentiment remained subdued in July.

The GfK consumer confidence index was unchanged this month at -29, in line with consensus forecasts. Analysts at Barclays Capital said this morning: "Consumer confidence remains subdued and it has been at these low levels (between -29 and -33) for over a year now. Although inflation has fallen and the unemployment rate has edged down, we think the uncertainty about the economic outlook, the continued austerity measures and weak earnings growth are likely to keep consumer sentiment at subdued levels in the near term."

Investors were also showing caution following some strong gains the day before as markets hope for central bank action in the US and Europe this week. The Federal Reserve kicks off its two-day policy meeting today, while the European Central Bank (ECB) will reveal its decision on Thursday.

Many are expecting the ECB to resume bond-buying after its President Mario Draghi said last week that the bank will do "whatever it takes to preserve the euro…and believe me, it will be big enough".

FTSE 100: Heavy falls from BP, Weir and Fresnillo early on

Weaker oil and gas prices and a cut in output due to an extensive maintenance programme hit BP's profits hard in the second quarter. Shares dropped over 3% early on.

Scottish engineering firm Weir tumbled after advising that full-year profits are likely to come in below market expectations if there is no pick-up in the upstream Oil & Gas markets.

Mexico-focused precious metals miner Fresnillo dropped after being hit by the falling price of silver and reduced ore quality, leading to a significant fall in first-half profits.

UK banking groups Barclays and RBS were heavy fallers after earnings from their European counterparts UBS and Deutsche Bank came up short of forecasts.

Holiday Inns operator InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) fell after the findings of an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation criticised the hotel group's arrangements with two online booking agents.

UK engineering giant GKN was lower in spite of seeing profits jump in the first half as it benefitted from a broad exposure to global markets.

Heading the other way was precious metals miner Polymetal after its produced more than half a million ounces of gold equivalent in the first half of 2012, with production reaching a new high in the second quarter. Sector peer Randgold also made gains.

Xstrata was also on the up after seeing stronger second-quarter production in coal, nickel, zinc and lead compared with the first quarter.

FTSE 100 - Risers
Vedanta Resources (VED) 947.00p +2.05%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,890.00p +1.46%
Polymetal International (POLY) 898.00p +1.30%
Amec (AMEC) 1,130.00p +1.07%
Xstrata (XTA) 852.90p +1.01%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,934.00p +0.86%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,189.50p +0.83%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 183.95p +0.79%
Glencore International (GLEN) 320.90p +0.79%
Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,266.00p +0.78%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
BP (BP.) 430.40p -3.16%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,651.00p -3.11%
ITV (ITV) 74.80p -2.60%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,426.00p -1.86%
Barclays (BARC) 167.65p -1.70%
Shire Plc (SHP) 1,892.00p -1.61%
Wolseley (WOS) 2,334.00p -1.52%
CRH (CRH) 1,213.00p -1.46%
Schroders (SDR) 1,301.00p -1.44%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 160.40p -0.99%

FTSE 250 - Risers
Elementis (ELM) 212.90p +6.45%
Grainger (GRI) 91.35p +2.47%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 130.00p +2.36%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 273.40p +2.28%
Rank Group (RNK) 119.00p +2.15%
COLT Group SA (COLT) 115.60p +2.03%
Hiscox Ltd. (HSX) 443.50p +1.72%
BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 557.50p +1.55%
Inmarsat (ISAT) 497.50p +1.47%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,288.00p +1.42%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Inchcape (INCH) 379.50p -2.39%
African Barrick Gold (ABG) 371.80p -2.24%
Savills (SVS) 357.60p -2.21%
Perform Group (PER) 367.50p -2.00%
Diploma (DPLM) 411.70p -1.98%
New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 299.30p -1.87%
Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 484.44p -1.72%
Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 108.50p -1.63%
Home Retail Group (HOME) 76.90p -1.60%
UK Event Calendar
Tuesday July 31

INTERIMS
BP, Brammer, Burford Capital Ltd., Capital & Counties, Devro, Dignity, Elementis, Erste Group Bank AG, Fresnillo, GKN, Hutchison China Meditech Ltd, Inchcape, Jcdecaux SA, LSL Property Services, Man SE, Rotork, Tullett Prebon, Weir group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aer Lingus Group, Chrysalis VCT

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
JP Morgan Chase & Co, Middlefield Canadian Income PCC, Schroder Income Growth Fund

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chicago PMI (US) (13:45)
Consumer Confidence (US) (15:00)
GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)
International Reserves (EU) (11:00)
Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)
Personal Income (US) (13:30)
Personal Spending (US) (13:30)
Retail Sales (GER) (07:00)
Unemployment Rate (EU) (10:00)
Unemployment Rate (GER) (08:55)

Q2
BP, Wolfson Microelectronics

GMS
Evolve Capital, Lighthouse Group

FINALS
Allocate Software, Games Workshop

ANNUAL REPORT
Dart Group

AGMS
Better Capital Pcc Ltd (2009), Better Capital Pcc Ltd (2012), Cazenove Absolute Equity Ltd, Creon Resources, e-Therapeutics, Hansa Trust, Metro Baltic Horizons, Schroder UK Growth Fund, Strategic Natural Resources, Water Intelligence

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Confidence (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Edinburgh Inv Trust, Investec Structured Products Calculus VCT, Investec Structured Products Calculus VCT 'C' Shares, May Gurney Integrated Services, Norcros, Panther Securities, Rensburg AIM VCT, Restore

PRODUCTION UPDATE
Vedanta
US Market Report
US close: Stocks drift lower as markets await the Fed
    Dow Jones: 13,073 (-0.02%)
    Nasdaq: 22,946 (-0.41%)
    S&P 500: 1,385 (-0.05%)
US stocks failed to follow their European counterparts higher on Monday as investors showed caution ahead of a domestic policy decision and monthly jobs report this week.

Meanwhile, optimism was driving gains on equity markets across the pond after European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi pledged last week to do "whatever it takes to preserve the euro…and believe me, it will be big enough".

The Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting begins tomorrow, and investors are hoping that the poor labour, manufacturing and GDP data as of late have added to expectations that the Fed will act.

"Both ECB and Fed announcements will be key drivers of price-action in the near term, so we can expect volatility to continue head of the central bank actions later this week," said Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist at ETX Capital.

The US Government is also due to release an employment report this week that most observers expect to show a slowdown in recruitment in July.

COMPANIES

Drinks titan Coca-Cola gained as investors celebrated the company's plans to restructure the company's division. At the end of the year, the business will be divided into three units: Coca-Cola International, Coca-Cola Americas and Bottling Investments Group.

Investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co was among the worst performers on the Dow after analysts at Deutsche Bank downgraded their rating on the stock from 'buy' to 'hold'.

Apple was gaining as the company begins a major court battle with rival Samsung over smartphone technology patents. Apple is demanding $2.5bn in damages from the South Korean firm.


S&P 500 - Risers
Supervalu Inc. (SVU) $2.24 +12.56%
Sprint Nxtel Corp. (S) $4.51 +4.64%
Southwestern Energy Co. (SWN) $34.27 +3.82%
QEP Resources Inc (QEP) $30.25 +3.03%
Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN) $115.39 +2.83%
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) $9.15 +2.81%
SAIC Inc. (SAI) $11.46 +2.69%
Range Resources Corp. (RRC) $64.29 +2.55%
Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) $43.31 +2.29%
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. (COG) $42.99 +2.28%

S&P 500 - Fallers
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) $73.25 -5.86%
Loews Corp. (L) $39.54 -5.18%
Avon Products Inc. (AVP) $15.45 -4.45%
Salesforce.Com Inc. (CRM) $125.87 -4.27%
MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR) $1.82 -4.21%
Apollo Group Inc. (APOL) $27.22 -4.12%
DeVry Inc. (DV) $19.04 -3.79%
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) $35.39 -3.70%
Red Hat Inc. (RHT) $53.76 -3.67%
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) $49.96 -3.65%

Dow Jones I.A - Risers
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) $81.12 +1.39%
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $15.87 +1.15%
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) $74.97 +0.93%
Travelers Company Inc. (TRV) $63.21 +0.78%
AT&T Inc. (T) $37.43 +0.78%
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) $74.98 +0.62%
Chevron Corp. (CVX) $109.82 +0.51%
McDonald's Corp. (MCD) $89.33 +0.16%
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) $196.68 +0.15%
Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) $87.56 +0.13%

Dow Jones I.A - Fallers
JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) $36.14 -2.03%
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) $18.26 -1.64%
Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) $44.48 -1.36%
Intel Corp. (INTC) $25.76 -1.00%
Boeing Co. (BA) $74.86 -0.86%
Home Depot Inc. (HD) $53.25 -0.86%
General Electric Co. (GE) $20.80 -0.57%
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) $85.69 -0.55%
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) $23.71 -0.48%
3M Co. (MMM) $91.28 -0.47%

Nasdaq 100 - Risers
Expedia Inc. (EXPE) $56.12 +2.22%
Staples Inc. (SPLS) $12.74 +2.17%
Logitech International S.A. (LOGI) $8.93 +1.71%
Apple Inc. (AAPL) $595.03 +1.69%
Seagate Technology Plc (STX) $30.43 +1.40%
Microchip Technology Inc. (MCHP) $33.36 +1.40%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) $49.96 +1.30%
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $15.87 +1.15%
Foster Wheeler AG (FWLT) $17.92 +0.96%
eBay Inc. (EBAY) $45.60 +0.85%

Nasdaq 100 - Fallers
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) $73.25 -5.86%
Apollo Group Inc. (APOL) $27.22 -4.12%
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) $48.32 -3.97%
Nll Holdings Inc. (NIHD) $6.79 -3.96%
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) $49.96 -3.65%
Sandisk Corp. (SNDK) $41.17 -2.99%
Symantec Corp. (SYMC) $15.47 -2.89%
Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) $31.01 -2.77%
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (MRVL) $11.33 -2.45%
Altera Corp. (ALTR) $35.21 -2.30%
Newspaper Round Up
Tuesday newspaper round-up: BP, Yahoo, Lloyds
The US Treasury Secretary urged Europe's leaders to follow through on their promises to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro as he embarked on a whirlwind round of diplomacy in Germany. Tim Geithner stoked speculation about a co-ordinated transatlantic push to bolster the single currency as he met Wolfgang Schäuble, the German Finance Minister, at a holiday resort island in Schleswig-Holstein. In a joint statement, the pair "expressed confidence in euro area member states' efforts to reform and move towards greater integration", before Mr Geithner flew to Frankfurt to see Mario Draghi, the European Central Bank's President, The Times says.

Bankers found to have rigged Libor could face jail after the Serious Fraud Office said it will look to bring criminal charges against those who attempted to manipulate Libor, a key global borrowing rate. David Green QC, director of the SFO, said existing legislation could be used to bring criminal actions against banks implicated in the Libor rigging scandal. Mr Green did not specify the precise charges that could be brought but it is possible bankers found guilty of manipulation could receive prison sentences of up to 10 years, according to The Telegraph.

BP's oligarch partners in TNK-BP have piled pressure on the oil major ahead of its half-year results on Tuesday by refusing to approve the payment of a $1bn (£637m) dividend by the Russian joint venture. BP's oligarch partners in TNK-BP have piled pressure on the oil major ahead of its half-year results on Tuesday, by refusing to approve the payment of a $1bn (£637m) dividend by the Russian joint venture. BP proposed earlier this month that TNK-BP pay the special dividend, which would have provided a welcome boost to its coffers at a time when the venture's regular payouts are suspended amid disagreement between the partners. The proposal required the approval of the four oligarchs of the Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR) group who sit on the joint venture's board - and who yesterday announced they had voted against it, The Telegraph reports.

Ross Levinsohn, the interim chief executive of Yahoo! is leaving the company today, two weeks after the company announced that he had lost out on the top job to Google executive Marissa Mayer. He will leave with the payments outlined in his 2010 offer letter and 2011 severance agreement, plus an equity award of 67,000 restricted stock units and 250,000 stock options. The options have an exercise price of $15.80, the closing price on Friday, giving them a value of just over $5m. Mr Levinsohn took temporary control in May after Scott Thompson left unexpectedly over inaccuracies in his CV. He had been the principal internal candidate for the chief executive position. His sudden departure is regarded as a setback for Ms Mayer and many staff had apparently hoped that he would stay to run the company in tandem with his new boss, writes The Times.

It's time for investors in pub group Greene King to stop filling their glasses, according to Liberum Capital analyst Patrick Coffey, who called last orders on his stock recommendation and cut the company to "hold" from "buy". "Having rallied strongly over the last two months, we believe the shares are likely to pause for breath," Mr Coffey said, although he boosted his target to 593p from 575p. Indeed, the stock has had a good run, climbing 24% since the start of June. Greene King also reported a 7% increase in full-year pre-tax profit last month, bolstered by growth in food sales. However, Liberum's change of heart put pressure on the pub group and the stock slipped 3½ to 607½p, The Telegraph reports.

Lloyds Banking has pledged to lend £5bn to first-time buyers over the course of 2012, creating more than 140 new homeowners every day. This should mean more than 50,000 of them will be able to buy their own property this year. In the first six months of the year, the Group has already helped more than 25,000 people take their first steps onto the property ladder. It provides one in three mortgages on affordable housing schemes and new build properties in the UK and 25 per cent of the funding for the Government's NewBuy scheme, which is targeted at first-time buyers. Last week Lloyds cut rates by up to 0.2 percentage points on a range of loans, including some aimed at first-time buyers, The Times says.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news
Tuesday, 24 July 2012

London Market Report
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London open: Market extends losses on euro worries
Market Movers
  • techMARK 2,041.74 +0.03%
  • FTSE 100 5,521.83 -0.22%
  • FTSE 250 10,883.52 -0.12%
- Footsie continues to fall as Spanish yields rise
- Moody's turns 'negative' on Germany, Netherlands and Luxembourg
- Miners, banks provide a drag in London
- Moody´s criticizes gradualist approach to crisis resolution
- Goldman Sachs AM President calls for radical ECB action -BBC

UK stocks edged lower on Tuesday morning as markets extended losses from the day before on the back of concerns over the financial health of both Spain and Greece.

The Footsie slumped 2.09% on Monday after 10-year Spanish bond yields surged to a euro-era record of 7.565% on rumours that Spanish regions Murcia and Catalonia are joining Valencia in asking for government aid. Markets are now concerned that this will lead to a full-scale bailout for the southern European nation. Yields hit a new record-high of 7.567% this morning.

Meanwhile, it is feared that the International Monetary Fund might not provide any additional funds for Greece, prompting concerns that the country will default on its debt. Yesterday, however, the Washington based lender reiterated its support for Greece.

Markets will likely be cautious today after Moody's Investors Service revised the outlooks on the triple-A ratings of Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to 'negative' from 'stable' due to the rising uncertainty regarding the outcome of the Eurozone debt crisis and the increased likelihood of Greece's exit from the single-currency region. Particularly worth noting, Moody´s criticizes the gradualist approach being taken to crisis resolution in the Eurozone, from which those potentially more elevated risks arise.

There's a barrage of economic data due out today across the globe, including purchasing managers' indices (PMIs) from the Eurozone. In China, the preliminary HSBC manufacturing PMI rose from 48.2 to 49.5; while the sector is still contracting, the PMI is at a five-month high.

FTSE 100: Aberdeen leads the risers after broker comments

Fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management was a strong performer early on following yesterday's third-quarter update in which it reported assets under management slipped 1%. This morning, Societe General upgraded the stock to 'buy', JP Morgan Cazenove raised its target, while UBS and Morgan Stanley maintained their positive ratings.

Strong demand for its speciality chemicals in America offset weaker trading conditions in Europe for Croda International in the first half of 2012, causing shares to rise.

Imperial Tobacco fell after saying that while net revenue was up 3% in the first nine months of the year, stick equivalent volumes fell 3%. The group also noted "challenging conditions" in some markets.

Miners and banking stocks were still feeling the effects of risk aversion today, with Glencore, Rio Tinto, Antofagasta, RBS, Barclays and Lloyds among the worst performers.


FTSE 250: Man up after first-half results

Hedge fund manager Man Group surged despite funds under management falling from $58.4bn to $52.7bn and adjusted profits almost halving. The firm said it was on track to achieve its cost-cutting target of $95m and said it will save further in the next 18 months.

Flooring retailer Carpetright fell after saying that total sales in the UK fell 2.1% due to the reduction in the number of stores year-on-year.

Wireless technology and computer chip group CSR edged lower after its first-half results, saying that "order patterns have been more cautious with respect to the second half of 2012."

UK Event Calendar
Tuesday July 24

INTERIMS
APR Energy, Croda International, CSR, International Personal Finance, Man Group, Norsk Hydro ASA, OJSC Magnit GDR (Reg S), Provident Financial

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BBA Mortgage Lending Figures (09:30)
House Price Index (US) (15:00)

Q2
CSR, Norsk Hydro ASA, Virgin Media Inc.

FINALS
PZ Cussons

ANNUAL REPORT
Vertu Motors

IMSS
Carpetright, Daily Mail and General Trust A (Non.V), Great Portland Estates, Halma, Sage Group

AGMS
Aberdeen All Asia Inv Trust, Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc. (Reg S), Downing Planned Exit VCT 3, Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 'A' Shares, Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 'C' Shares, Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 'D' Shares , Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 'E' Shares , Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 F Shares, Fidelity China Special Situations , Halma, Helical Bar, New World Oil And Gas, Scapa Group, Tau Capital, TR Property Inv Trust, TR Property Inv Trust Sigma Shares, Ventus 2 VCT, Ventus 2 VCT 'C' Shares, Ventus VCT, Ventus VCT 'C' Shares, Vertu Motors, Vodafone Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
APR Energy, Kofax

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Fuller Smith & Turner

Europe Market Report
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Moody´s cuts outlook on German and Dutch debt 
-LCH raises margin requirements for trading in periphery debt
-Chinese manufacturing PMI rises
-Mixed results at Spanish bill auction
-Spanish 5 year bond yields rise above 10 year yields

FTSE-100: 0.18%
Dax-30: 0.12%
Cac-40: 0.13%
FTSE-Mibtel: -0.57%
Ibex 35: -2.05%
Stoxx 600: 0.09%

The main European equity benchmarks, with slight gains in most ‘core’ markets but another large drop in Madrid´s Ibex 35 and modest losses in Milan.

That following yesterday´s torrent of selling and as investors digest a bevy of important news out overnight. Particularly worth noting is rating agency Moody´s decision to slash its rating on the outlook for the sovereign debt ratings of Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The outlook on Finland´s, however, was reaffirmed at “stable.”

One of the main reasons for the above is the gradualist approach being taken by the Eurozone to the resolution of the Eurozone crisis. For Moody´s that entails larger potential risks for the those economies who will bear the burden of providing aid, due to both the resulting larger contingent liabilities and the potential for losses on the same which a slower approach entails.

In that same vein, in an interview with the BBC the President of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O´Neill, has called for the European Central Bank (ECB) to take radical actions to stem the crisis.

Peugeot wants government aid



French car maker Peugeot wants government aid on top of wage concessions as a condition for averting a second French auto plant closure, Reuters reports.

Dutch telecommunications group KPN has slashed its 2012 dividend by more than half.

European chipmaker STMicroelectronics posted second-quarter revenue in line with expectations but warned that bookings softened in June.

From a sector stand-point, and if one looks at the DJ Stoxx 600, the worst performance is now to be seen in shares of: insurance (-0.94%), utilities (-0.60%) and banks (-0.59%).

Weak manufacturing data



The Eurozone manufacturing sector purchasing managers´ index has come in at 44.1 for the month of July, versus 45.1 in the month before (Consensus: 45.3).

Some analysts are calling attention to the drop seen in domestic orders, which for them constitutes a further step towards a further deterioration in the crisis.

The Eurozone service sector purchasing managers´ index has come in at 47.6 for the month of July, versus 47.1 in the month before (Consensus: 47.3).

Other asset classes little changed



The euro/dollar is now off by 0.02% to the 1.2110 dollar level.

Front month Brent crude futures are rising by 0.387 dollars to the 103.66 dollar per barrel mark on the ICE. 

US Market Report
US close: Stocks tank over concerns for Spain and Greece
    Dow Jones: 12,721 (-0.79%)
    Nasdaq: 2,890 (-1.20%)
    S&P 500: 1,351 (-0.89%)
Record euro-era Spanish bond yields and renewed speculation about a Greek exit saw Wall Street's benchmarks join European markets in a sell-off, albeit less pronounced.

In spite of the deal reached last Friday to shore up Spain's banks, the yield on a 10-year Spanish bond set new records today, rising to 7.565% and well beyond the 'unsustainable' level of 7%.

Borrowing costs surged today on rumours that both Murcia and Catalonia, both Spanish regions, are joining Valencia in asking for government aid. Markets are now concerned that this will lead to a full-scale bailout for the southern European nation.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told the European Union (EU) that it will not provide any additional funds for Greece, prompting concerns that the country will default on its debt. German Vice Chancellor Philipp Roesler said he is "very skeptical" that the Troika can rescue Greece.

Also weighing on sentiment were comments from a Chinese policy-maker who said that economic growth will slow from 7.6% to 7.4% in the third quarter.

In other news, John Williams, the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, said that the US will make little headway in reducing unemployment unless it takes "further action."

In economic news, the Chicago Fed's national activity index improved from -0.48 to -0.15 in June.

McDonald's provides a drag in New York


Fast food titan McDonald's fell by 2.9% today after second-quarter earnings missed consensus estimates as a stronger dollar had an impact of its margins. Earnings per share fell from 135 cents to 132 cents in the period, missing the 137 cent estimate, while the operating margin fell from 31.7% to 31.2%. Nevertheless, same-store sales rose by a better-than-expected 3.7%.

Elsewhere, tech stocks were firmly out of favour with Microsoft, H-P, Cisco Systems and Yahoo among the worst performers.

Heavyweight blue chips Alcoa and Citigroup also finished lower on macro concerns.


S&P 500 - Risers
NRG Energy Inc. (NRG) $19.52 +8.14%
Dean Foods Co. (DF) $12.62 +4.04%
Hasbro Inc (HAS) $35.19 +3.99%
Eaton Corp. (ETN) $40.57 +3.87%
Sandisk Corp. (SNDK) $39.88 +3.05%
Alpha Natural Res (ANR) $6.92 +2.67%
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) $27.53 +2.57%
Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY) $18.68 +2.47%
Halliburton Co. (HAL) $31.51 +2.40%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) $10.04 +2.34%

S&P 500 - Fallers
JDS Uniphase Corp. (JDSU) $8.78 -5.64%
AK Steel Holding Corp. (AKS) $5.00 -4.58%
Denbury Resources Inc. (DNR) $14.85 -4.56%
Harman International Industries Inc. (HAR) $37.71 -4.41%
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD) $88.71 -4.36%
Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG) $477.47 -4.22%
Akamai Technologies Inc. (AKAM) $28.66 -4.18%
Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) $29.63 -3.92%
Tenet Hlthcre Corp. (THC) $4.47 -3.87%
First Solar Inc. (FSLR) $14.22 -3.85%

Dow Jones I.A - Risers
JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) $34.44 +1.59%
General Electric Co. (GE) $20.09 +1.11%
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) $81.58 +0.78%
Home Depot Inc. (HD) $50.96 +0.51%
Bank of America Corp. (BAC) $7.09 +0.28%
AT&T Inc. (T) $35.38 +0.26%

Dow Jones I.A - Fallers
McDonald's Corp. (MCD) $88.94 -2.88%
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $29.28 -2.77%
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $16.07 -1.77%
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) $18.30 -1.64%
Travelers Company Inc. (TRV) $61.74 -1.55%
Alcoa Inc. (AA) $8.14 -1.45%
Boeing Co. (BA) $72.91 -1.33%
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) $73.28 -1.28%
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $47.98 -1.26%
Chevron Corp. (CVX) $107.95 -1.14%

Nasdaq 100 - Risers
Sandisk Corp. (SNDK) $39.88 +3.05%
PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) $37.77 +1.48%
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) $12.98 +1.37%
Research in Motion Ltd. (RIMM) $6.86 +1.25%
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) $62.00 +1.01%
Google Inc. (GOOG) $615.51 +0.77%
Expeditors International Of Washington Inc. (EXPD) $37.29 +0.65%
Virgin Media Inc. (VMED) $25.26 +0.58%
Illumina Inc. (ILMN) $42.87 +0.37%
FLIR Systems Inc. (FLIR) $19.18 +0.26%

Nasdaq 100 - Fallers
Nll Holdings Inc. (NIHD) $8.04 -4.29%
Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG) $477.47 -4.22%
First Solar Inc. (FSLR) $14.22 -3.85%
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) $77.77 -3.69%
Qiagen N.V. (QGEN) $16.32 -3.37%
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) $49.58 -3.28%
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) $47.87 -3.06%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) $49.77 -2.93%
Baidu Inc. (BIDU) $107.10 -2.84%
Warner Chilcott Plc (WCRX) $17.41 -2.79%
Newspaper Round Up
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Dividends, Northern Rock, Solar panels
Investors enjoyed an 18 per cent leap in dividends paid by UK-quoted companies during the second three months of 2012. The amount paid was 22.6bn pounds - a second quarter record and taking the total for the year so far to 41.bn pounds. The figures were boosted by special dividends, including 1bn pounds from insurer Old Mutual, which sold off its Nordic business. GlaxoSmithKline and Antofagasta also made extra one-off payments. Capita Registrars estimates the full-year total will be 78.3bn pounds - an annual record - thanks to the faster growth rate of shareholder payouts: dividend payments have risen every quarter for the past 18 months. Many firms put the brakes on spending bumper cash piles on investment, be it capital expenditure or buying other firms, due to uncertainty caused by the weak global economic. Cash flow is still strong, yet corporate investment is very depressed,' said Charles Cryer, chief executive of Capita Registrars. 'Dividends are one destination for the large cash surpluses that companies have accumulated as a result,' the Daily Mail reports.

British taxpayers will receive a further 538m pounds from Virgin Money after the bank that acquired Northern Rock last year agreed to increase the purchase price and bought a portfolio of government-owned mortgages. Virgin Money, the banking arm of Sir Richard Branson's company, paid the Treasury an additional 73m pounds in cash on top of the 747m pound initial sale price for Northern Rock. The payment reflects a higher than expected calculation of the net asset value of Northern Rock when it was sold at the start of this year. At the time the deal was announced, UK Financial Investments, which manages the government's stakes in banks and oversaw the sale of Northern Rock expected the additional payment to be about 50m pounds, The Financial Times says.

China has made a dramatic swoop on the North Sea oil industry, buying up assets that account for more than 8 per cent of the UK's entire oil and gas production. Chinese state-controlled group CNOOC agreed a 15.1bn dollars (9.7bn pounds) offer to buy Canada's Nexen, which is the second biggest oil producer in the UK North Sea. Its net UK production of both oil and gas is 114,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). In a separate deal, China's Sinopec splashed out 1.5bn dollars on a 49 per cent stake in the UK unit of Canada's Talisman Energy, which produced an average of 71,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day last year. Talisman said its joint venture with Sinopec would "invest more in the UK than Talisman would have on its own". Both Nexen and Talisman rank within the top 10 oil and gas producers in the UK North Sea, The Telegraph reports.

Italy's financial outlook darkened on Monday amid warnings that 10 cities are at risk of bankruptcy and schools may not be able to open in the autumn because of drastic spending cuts. The cities at risk of running out of money include Naples, Palermo in Sicily and Reggio Calabria, on the toe of the Italian boot, according to the Italian press. "The situation is becoming worse by the day," said Graziano Del Rio, the president of a national association of municipal councils. The warning came just days after Mario Monti, the prime minister, expressed fears that Sicily, which has a high degree of fiscal autonomy, was on the brink of a default. Cities and towns in southern Italy have for years been plagued by mismanagement, corruption, the wasteful use of EU funds and infiltration by the Mafia. But the "black list" of cities at risk also includes some in the north of Italy such as Alessandria, in the Piedmont region, The Telegraph says.

The number of out-of-work Britons struggling with payday loans has quadrupled over the past three years, the national debt charity said yesterday. A total of 1,243 unemployed people with an average payday loan of £918 contacted the Consumer Credit Counselling Service last year asking for help. At the height of the recession three years ago, the charity was approached by only 283 people in the same situation. Delroy Corinaldi, of the counselling service, said: "Unemployment is the biggest single driver of debt problems in the UK, and people who have lost their job after taking out extremely expensive payday loans are finding it particularly difficult to cope." He said that payday lenders must recognise the problem, adding that when the industry announces its new codes of practice this week, the CCCS expects to see clear commitments to freeze interest and charges when borrowers experience a shock to their income that leaves them unable to repay, writes The Times.

Europe's solar panel manufacturers are poised to launch a trade complaint against their Chinese rivals, marking a further escalation in trade tensions between China and the west over green technology. The anti-dumping complaint, led by Germany's SolarWorld, will accuse Chinese manufacturers of selling photovoltaic cells in the EU below the cost of production, allowing them to dominate the market, according to people familiar with the matter. Under EU rules, the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, would have 45 days from the case's filing to decide whether to open an investigation, The Financial Times reports.

The UK's cost of borrowing plunged to an all-time low yesterday as panicking investors sought safe havens from the financial firestorm engulfing Spain. Investors piled into UK gilts as the embattled Eurozone member's economic woes deepened and markets panicked over the latest threat to Madrid's creaking finances from struggling regional governments. Global stock markets tumbled as Spain's cost of borrowing hit a euro-era high of 7.44% – well into the territory which forced Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek a bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. In contrast, the UK's cost of borrowing hit a record low 1.4% – well below the current 2.4% rate of inflation – as nervous dealers shunned returns on their cash and simply looked for shelter from the latest storm, writes The Independent.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin

ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news
Thursday, 19 July 201

London Market Report
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Footsie edges higher, but Kingfisher falls

Market Movers
techMARK 2,076.47 +0.47%
FTSE 100 5,695.22 +0.17%
FTSE 250 11,180.83 +0.86%
Kingfisher leads fallers on the Footsie
Upbeat European earnings lift sentiment
Fed says US expanding at 'modest to moderate' rate

UK stocks edged higher in early trading on Thursday on the back of some upbeat earnings reports from heavyweight European stocks AkzoNobel, Sandvik and Novartis.

Investors will be digesting last night's release of the Federal Reserve's Beige Book which said that the US economic grew at a "modest to moderate" pace over the last month. Stocks closed higher yesterday after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that he does not expect the US economy to slip back into recession.

Analyst Cooper Howes from Barclays Capital said:"The Fed will not feel compelled to act (or not act) on this report alone, and the decision of whether or not to pursue further monetary stimulus will depend on developments in the economic data and financial markets between now and the meeting."
FTSE 100: Rainfall dampens growth at Kingfisher
Kingfisher, Europe's largest home improvement retailer, was among the worst performers after sales were hit by the extraordinary bad weather in the second quarter, though trading in the UK and Ireland was resilient.

Engineering groups IMI, GKN and Weir was high risers after Swedish peer Sandvik released better-than-expected second-quarter results. Meanwhile, Croda International gained on the back of positive read-across from AkzoNobel.

Gas group BG was under the weather after Credit Suisse downgraded the stock to 'neutral' and cut its target from 1,660p to 1,500p. Mining firm Vedanta dropped after HSBC slashed its target from 1,320p to 1,000p, though it maintained its 'overweight' rating.

Banking group Lloyds fell after it agreed with the Co-op to sell hundreds of its branches for an initial consideration of £350m, and up to an additional £400m in present value.
FTSE 250: Stocks jump after board changes
Halfords advanced after saying that Chief Executive David Wild is on his bike leaving the non-executive Chairman Dennis Millard in charge of the shop while the struggling seller of bikes and car parts looks for a replacement. The group also reported that LFL sales gained 0.9% in the five weeks to June 29th.

Oilfield services firm Wood Group rose after saying that Chairman Sir Ian Wood is to retire in November and will be succeeded by the group's CEO, Allister Langlands.

West Africa-focused gold miner Avocet Mining was also in demand after it revealed that CEO Brett Richards is to resign and will be replaced by the group's Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Digging deeper at the Simrit-2 exploration well in the Kurdistan region of Iraq has paid off for oil exploration firm Afren as the well's total net oil pay has increased to 460 metres. Shares jumped 7%.

Elsewhere, AIM-listed sports retailer JJB dropped after saying that it is having to slow down its refurbishment programme as poor sales mean the group will need an injection of cash from its backers earlier than planned.

FTSE 100 - Risers
IMI (IMI) 813.50p +2.84%
Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,103.00p +2.70%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,265.00p +2.68%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,502.00p +2.53%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,526.00p +2.35%
ARM Holdings (ARM) 487.90p +2.05%
GKN (GKN) 217.20p +1.97%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,093.00p +1.96%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,203.00p +1.61%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 158.70p +1.54%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Kingfisher (KGF) 269.00p -2.25%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 893.00p -1.81%
BG Group (BG.) 1,294.00p -1.78%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 650.00p -1.29%
G4S (GFS) 242.60p -0.94%
National Grid (NG.) 664.50p -0.89%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 691.00p -0.72%
Tesco (TSCO) 320.40p -0.56%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 259.20p -0.50%
Hammerson (HMSO) 461.90p -0.45%

FTSE 250 - Risers
Halfords Group (HFD) 213.50p +8.16%
Afren (AFR) 127.70p +7.40%
Fenner (FENR) 352.60p +4.47%
Cookson Group (CKSN) 633.50p +4.28%
Ruspetro (RPO) 144.30p +3.81%
Elementis (ELM) 193.70p +3.25%
Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 483.90p +3.24%
Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 179.60p +3.22%
Spectris (SXS) 1,532.00p +2.89%
Avocet Mining (AVM) 71.20p +2.89%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 184.40p -2.85%
Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,574.00p -1.44%
Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 424.20p -1.30%
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust (ASL) 585.00p -1.18%
SEGRO (SGRO) 235.00p -1.09%
Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI) (GEMD) 210.80p -1.08%
Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 783.00p -0.89%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,329.00p -0.82%
British Assets Trust (BSET) 118.00p -0.76%
NMC Health (NMC) 198.50p -0.75%

Europe Market Report
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Spain fights to maintain access to debt markets

Germany and Italy to vote on ESM today
Spain to auction up to €3bn in medium term debt
Beige book describes growth as modest to moderate overall
Positive reaction to results from IBM and E-Bay
No default risk in Sicily, government says –ANSA/Bbg
Spanish rescue funds can be used by State as credit-line-El Mundo

FTSE 100: 0.11%
Dax-30: 0.30%
Cac-40: 0.36%
FTSE-Mibtel: 0.20
Ibex 35: 0.32%
Stoxx 600: 0.34%
European equities have started the day in positive territory but only slightly so, buoyed by gains in Wall Street and Asia overnight, as Spain fights to maintain access to debt markets and, by some accounts, Italy ponders whether to intervene Sicily.

That ahead of this morning´s auction of up to €3bn in Spanish medium term debt and quarterly results out of Nokia. Critically, Spanish short-term financing costs have also been on the rise this year.

Worth noting as well, Spain´s two main unions have called for protests today as the Parliament in Madrid gets set to ratify the €65bn in austerity cuts agreed to with its European Union partners. This after the latest round of measures, particularly a new reduction in public sector workers´ wages, appeared to provoke some of the first real public anger (many Spaniards seem to prefer reducing duplicities with regional governments instead, a potentially very politically charged issue). So mucho so in fact that both the King and Crown-prince recently announced a voluntary reduction in their own annual stipends.

In that same vein, one of the government´s main allies in the Madrid parliament, Catalan nationalist group CiU, recently withdrew its support of the governing Partido Popular following the latter´s decision not to give the regional authorities another year to meet their deficit targets. Having said that, even two regions governed by the PP´s own voted against a recent decision on public deficit targets for regional governments.

On the other hand, reports on the situation in Italy are somewhat contradictory. Thus, state news agency ANSA cites government officials as saying that Sicily only faces a liquidity short-fall of €400m.

Also of possible interest, the Spanish press is today reporting that the country will also be allowed to deploy its €100bn rescue fund for buying back its own bonds as well as a credit line.
Nokia in the firing line
Embattled Finnish mobile-phone maker Nokia will release its latest quarterly results this morning. Investors will try to gauge the company´s prospects after its share price cratered this year.

Highstar Capital is to buy Veolia’s solid waste unit in the US for $1.9bn.

Akzo Nobel, the world’s largest paintmaker, has released better than forecast second quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of €593m, an 8% gain.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has revealed that pro-forma earnings fell to $3.36bn in quarter two, also better than expected.

From a sector stand-point the best performance on the DJ Stoxx can now be seen in the following industrial groups: chemicals (1.02%), industrial goods and services (0.80) and personal goods (0.80%).
Light data calendar
Italian industrial orders for the month of May will be released at 09:00.
Crude on the rise again
The euro/dollar is now 0.26% higher at 1.2320.
Front month Brent crude futures are rising again, by 1.063 dollars, to the 106.25 dollar per barrel mark on the ICE.
UK Event Calendar
INTERIMS
Howden Joinery Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Edinburgh Worldwide Inv Trust, Euromoney Institutional Investor

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Balance of Payments (EU) (09:00)
Bloomberg Consumer Confidence (US) (14:45)
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
Leading Indicators (US) (15:00)
Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (15:00)

GMS
Straight

FINALS
Sports Direct International

IMSS
Britvic, Halfords Group, Imperial Tobacco Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Capital Gearing Trust

AGMS
Acal, API Group, Energy Technique, Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. (DI), JJB Sports, KCOM Group, Land Securities Group, Mckay Securities, Mothercare, Shanks Group, Shires Income

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kingfisher, Mothercare

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Internet Retail Sales (09:30)
Retail Sales (09:30)
Trends in Lending (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
British Polythene Industries, Capital Gearing Trust, Hargreave Hale AIM VCT 2, Octopus VCT , Restaurant Group, Tongaat-Hulett Ltd.

US Market Report
Tech Stock Rally Leads To Strength On Wall Street

Stocks moved notably higher over the course of the trading day on Wednesday, adding to the gains posted in the previous session. The markets benefited from considerable strength that emerged among technology stocks.

The major averages hovered firmly in positive territory in afternoon trading, holding on to strong gains. The Dow rose 103.16 points or 0.8 percent to 12,908.70, the Nasdaq jumped 32.56 points or 1.1 percent to 2,942.60 and the S&P 500 climbed 9.11 points or 0.7 percent to 1,372.78.

The strength on Wall Street was largely due to the rally by tech stocks, which moved sharply higher despite disappointing guidance from semiconductor giant Intel (INTC).

While Intel reported better than expected second quarter earnings after the close of trading on Tuesday, the company also reported weaker than expected revenues and lowered its full year revenue growth outlook. Nonetheless, shares of Intel rose by 3.3 percent.

Tech stocks also benefited from bargain hunting following recent weakness in the sector, with the gain by Intel extending a recovery from the six-month closing low it set last Thursday.

Buying interest was also generated by a report released by the Commerce Department before the start of trading showing a bigger than expected rebound in housing starts in the month of June.

The report showed that housing starts jumped 6.9 percent to an annual rate of 760,000 in June from the revised May estimate of 711,000. Economists had expected housing starts to climb to 745,000 from the 708,000 originally reported for the previous month.

On the other hand, building permits, an indicator of future housing demand, fell by 3.7 percent to an annual rate of 755,000 in June from the revised May rate of 784,000.

In other economic news, the Fed's Beige Book report said overall economic activity continued to expand at a modest to moderate pace in June and early July.

The report also said employment levels grew at a tepid pace since the last report and noted that price inflation was modest across most areas of the country. Looking ahead, the Fed said contacts remained cautiously optimistic about future business conditions.

Traders also kept an eye on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's second day of testimony on Capitol Hill, with the Fed Chief facing questions from the House Financial Services Committee.

Bernanke's prepared remarks were unchanged from those he delivered to the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday. He reiterated that the Fed is prepared to take further action if necessary and continued to urge Congress to address the upcoming fiscal cliff.

Sector News

Semiconductor stocks turned in some of the tech sector's best performances, resulting in a 3.6 percent gain by the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. With the gain, the index bounced well off the seven-month closing low it set in the previous session.

NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) and Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) posted standout gains within the semiconductor sector, jumping by 9.1 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.

Networking and computer hardware stocks also saw considerable strength on the day. The NYSE Arca Networking Index advanced by 2.9 percent, while the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index surged up by 2.7 percent.

While buying interest outside of the tech sector was more subdued, significant strength was visible among defense, oil service, and health insurance stocks.

On the other hand, airline, brokerage, and gold stocks showed notable moves to the downside over the course of the trading day.

Other Markets

In overseas trading, stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region turned in a mixed performance on Wednesday. While Japan's Nikkei 225 Index edged down by 0.3 percent, China's Shanghai Composite Index advanced by 0.4 percent.

In the bond market, treasuries showed a modest move back to the upside after giving back some ground in the previous session. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, slipped 2.2 basis points to 1.479 percent.


Thursday newspaper round-up: Britain, Sicily, BP
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mr Cameron says that he now expects the crisis in the eurozone to drag on for years, blighting the British economy. He indicates that the programme of spending cuts, initially planned to take five years, is now likely to last for the entire decade. Mr Cameron insists that he still wants to cut tax but that any reductions would have to be funded by even greater public spending reductions. Asked whether the austerity programme would now last a decade until 2020, the Prime Minister replies: “I think it’s going to be...this is a period for all countries, not just in Europe but I think you will see it in America too, where we have to deal with our deficits and we have to have sustainable debts. I can’t see any time soon when…the pressure will be off.

Italian premier Mario Monti is mulling emergency action to take direct control of Sicily’s regional government before the island spirals into a full-blown financial crisis, fearing contagion to the rest of Italy. Mr Monti held an “urgent” meeting with the country’s president Giorgio Napolitano on Wednesday to grapple with the constitutional issue after it emerged that the region faces a deficit of up to €7bn (£5.49bn) this year and is in danger of default without sweeping cuts. Sicily’s regional councillor Andrea Vecchio warned that the island has run out of money. “I’m afraid we will soon no longer be able to pay civil servants’ salaries,” he said. “The developments in Sicily are very serious,” said Prof Giuseppe Ragusa from Luiss University in Rome. “It is just the sort of negative shock we don’t want right now. Everything has to go perfectly for Italy to pull through,” The Telegraph writes.

BP was facing a tactical headache last night after four Russian billionaires in the oil group’s TNK-BP joint venture crashed in on its plan to sell its stake. Alfa Access Renova (AAR) said yesterday that it had formally notified BP that it was interested in increasing its 50% ownership in TNK-BP. The move means that BP must spend the next 90 days in “good faith” negotiations with AAR about offloading a stake that the Russians value at between $16bn and $20bn. BP is understood to value the stake considerably higher and has attracted interest from two other buyers — a Russian government entity and a possible Chinese bidder. However, it cannot seal a deal until it has concluded talks with its Russian partners, The Times reports.

Regulators are focusing on at least four of Europe’s biggest banks as they investigate the attempted manipulation of the region’s benchmark interest rate, suspecting that Barclays’s traders were the ringleaders of a circle that included Crédit Agricole, HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Société Générale. Evidence of links between traders at all four banks and Barclays’ former euroswaps trader Philippe Moryoussef is under scrutiny, people involved in the process have told the Financial Times.

Sir Mervyn King has invited the heads of the world’s leading central banks to make proposals to reform Libor, the flawed series of interest rates at the heart of the financial system. The Governor of the Bank of England has written to members of the Economic Consultative Committee, which he heads, suggesting a dinner on September 9 in Basel, Switzerland, as a forum for exchanging ideas on addressing Libor’s shortcomings. His proposal came after the US Government declared that it wanted to take reform of the bank interest-rate setting process out of the hands of Threadneedle Street after British officials appeared to ignore warnings about the scale of the rate-rigging scandal, according to The Times.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has pledged African governments $20bn in credit over the next three years and called for more China-Africa coordination in international affairs to defend against the "bullying" of richer powers. China has emerged as Africa's main trading partner and a major source of investment for infrastructure. But its presence has also sparked concerns about labour abuses and corruption. Hu made the lending pledge on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Hu also said China and African countries, as developing nations, should better coordinate their response to international affairs to counter the practices of "the big bullying the small, the strong domineering over the weak and the rich oppressing the poor," The Telegraph writes.

The trade minister, Lord Green, has been drawn in to the HSBC money laundering scandal after Labour warned he had "serious questions" to answer about the way the bank laundered money for drug cartels, terrorists and pariah states while he was at the helm. Green was chief executive of Britain's biggest bank between 2003 and 2006 and was its chairman until 2010 when he resigned to take up a position of trade minister in the coalition government. A damning Senate report - which concluded the bank had a "pervasively polluted" culture - covers the period 2004 to 2010 and shows that HSBC subsidiaries moved billions of dollars around the financial system from countries such as Iran and Syria as well moving cash for Mexican drug cartels, The Guardian says.