A look at what is happing in the markets today - quick headlines, major economic releases and company announcements. Supplied and sponsored by paddypowertrader.
Wall Street's four-day losing streak ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday as the Dow Jones jumped nearly 200 points after a new report showed consumer confidence soared this month to the highest level since the darkest days of last September. Wall St. closed up 196.17 points at 8473.49
Talks aimed at keeping General Motors (GM) out of bankruptcy could go right down to the wire, as the government tries to get bondholders to go along with a plan that would allow the auto maker to survive.
London equities continued to make progress on Wednesday, tracking broad advances on global exchanges inspired by positive US economic data. The FTSE 100 rose 24 points to 4,436.41, a 0.6% advance, extending its 46-point rally made towards the end the previous session, when traders got their first chance to react to the news of stronger than forecast US consumer confidence data.
Biscuits, pizzas and Christmas puddings maker Northern Foods (LSE: NFDS.L - news) held its dividend as sales last year rose and underlying profits came in slightly better than gloomy predictions.
Asian shares rose on Wednesday to their highest level in more than seven months after a jump in US consumer confidence reinforced expectations the global economy has hit a bottom, even if recovery appears fragile.
Oil prices eased in Asia this morning, but remained above $60 a barrel after breaching six-month highs overnight ahead of a meeting of the OPEC.
Nymex US Crude shed 20¢ to $62.25 after settling at $62.45 in US trade - the highest close since November 5. Brent North Sea crude fell 14¢ to $61.10.
Sugar prices in London and New York rose on Tuesday after regulators in India surprised investors with a ruling that no new sugar futures contracts could be launched and that traders could not take fresh positions in any of the existing 2009 contracts.
Eircom reported a profit of €69m for the three months to the end of March. This was down 27% from the €95m reported a year earlier. Revenue fell 5% to €488m.
Today's Major Economic Releases
Time
Country
Indicator
Frequency
00:00
GER
CPI
Monthly
00:00
GER
European Harmonised CPI
Monthly
00:50
JPY
Merchandise Trade Balance
Monthly
06:00
JPY
Small Business Confidence
Monthly
07:45
FR
Consumer Confidence
Monthly
07:50
FR
Business Confidence
Monthly
08:00
ESP
Retail Sales
Monthly
09:30
UK
BBA Loans Approved
Monthly
12:00
US
MBA Mortgage Applications
Weekly
15:00
US
Existing Homes Sales
Monthly
Today's Company Earnings Announcements
Company
Country
Industry
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
BSS Group
UK
Retail
£349.08M
8.07 x
Northern Foods
UK
Food
£284.71M
159.87 x
Speedy Hire
UK
Commercial Services
£95.93M
3.99 x
Topps Tiles
UK
Retail
£110.35M
6.74 x
Dollar Tree Stores
US
Retail
$4.01B
17.62 x
The above content does not constitute investment advice. All reasonable efforts have been made to present accurate information.
Neither CleanFinancial.com nor paddypowertrader accepts any responsibility for any use that may be made of the above or for the correctness or accuracy of the information provided.
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'Spread Betting 27 May 2009' edited by paddypowertrader, updated 27-May-09
Spread Betting 27 May 2009
London equities continued to make progress on Wednesday, tracking broad advances on global exchanges inspired by positive US economic data. The FTSE 100... » read from top.
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