Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 01-05-2012.

All western European markets, except the U.K., Ireland and Denmark, were closed for the May Day holiday. U.K. stocks jumped the most in two weeks after Lloyds Banking Group Plc reported profit that topped analyst estimates and U.S. manufacturing expanded at the fastest pace in 10 months.

Stocks extended gains today after U.S. data showed manufacturing in the world’s largest economy expanded in April, driven by gains in orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index climbed to 54.8, exceeding the most optimistic forecast, from 53.4 in March. Readings greater than 50 signal growth.

In contrast, U.K. manufacturing grew at a slower rate than economists forecast in April as new export orders declined at the fastest pace since May 2009.

Lloyds jumped 8.3 percent to 33.60 pence after pretax profit, excluding one-time items and asset sales, more than doubled to 628 million pounds ($1 billion). The median analyst estimate was for a profit of 422 million pounds. Total impairments fell by 36 percent, helped by the lender’s Irish and Australian units.

Imperial Tobacco increased 3.7 percent to 2,556 pence after Europe’s second-biggest tobacco company reported a 3 percent increase in adjusted operating profit to 1.52 billion pounds in the six months ended March 31, helped by higher prices for cigarettes in the U.K.

BP retreated 0.8 percent to 441.3 pence. Europe’s second- largest oil company reported a 19 percent decline in first- quarter net income to $5.9 billion, as asset sales lowered production and refining weakened.

U.S. stocks advanced

Equities rose as manufacturing unexpectedly expanded in April at the fastest pace in 10 months, driven by gains in orders and production that signal the U.S. remains a source of strength for the global economy.

Avon Products Inc. lost 7.8 percent to $19.92. The door-to- door cosmetics seller that’s the target of a $10 billion takeover bid from Coty Inc. reported first-quarter profit that trailed analysts’ estimates, hurt by higher labor and materials costs.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. jumped 7.2 percent to $19.77. The company will name an independent chairman to replace Aubrey McClendon and halt an incentive program that allowed the chief executive officer to amass personal stakes in thousands of company-operated wells.

Resistance 3:1440 (high of May’2008)

Resistance 2:1420 (area of high of March)

Resistance 1:1400/05 (area of Apr 27-30 highs)

Current price: 1402,00

Support 1:1390 (session low, Apr 30 low)

Support 2:1380 (area of Apr 26 low, МА (200) for Н1, МА (20) and МА (55) for D1)

Support 3:1372 (Apr 25 low)

U.S. stock futures were little changed before a report that may show manufacturing expanded at a slower pace in April.

Nikkei  9,350.95 -169.94 -1.78%

FTSE  5,759.63 +21.85 +0.38%

Crude oil $104.72 (-0.14%)

Gold $1669.60 (+0.32%)

Asia’s benchmark stock index fell, paring yesterday’s advance, as Japanese companies forecast lower-than-estimated earnings and as the outlook for exporters dimmed after a report signaled U.S. manufacturing is slowing.

Nikkei 225 9,350.95 -169.94 -1.78%

Hang Seng Closed

S&P/ASX 200 4,429.51 +32.93 +0.75%

Shanghai Composite Closed

Tokyo Electron Ltd., which sells industrial electronics products, sank 8.3 percent after its earnings estimate trailed analysts’ projections.

Sony Corp. Japan’s No. 1 exporter of consumer electronics, lost 3.9 percent as the yen gained against the dollar to the highest level since February. Commonwealth Bank of Australia rose 1.7 percent as the nation’s central bank cut interest rates to spur growth.

Asian stocks rose, with a regional index heading for its longest winning streak in three months, as investors bet Australia’s central bank will cut interest rates tomorrow, corporate earnings beat estimates and confidence among South Korean manufacturers improved.

Hang Seng 21,094.21 +352.76 +1.70%

S&P/ASX 200 4,396.58 +34.53 +0.79%

Shanghai Composite Closed

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. advanced 1.1% on speculation the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates to bolster economic growth.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, increased 1.9% in Sydney as copper futures gained.

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. jumped 5.8% in Seoul after the nation’s No. 2 shipbuilder posted earnings that beat analysts’ estimates.

Change % Change Last

Hang Seng 21,094.21 +352.76 +1.70%