Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 04-06-2014.

Stock indices traded little changed ahead the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision on Thursday. Investors are awaiting the ECB will cut interest rates and announce measures to boost lending to smaller businesses.

Services PMIs were also in focus in the Eurozone. Eurozone’s services purchase managers’ index (PMI) declined to 53.2 in May from 53.5 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

Eurozone’s gross domestic product remained unchanged at 0.2% in the first quarter, meeting analysts’ expectation.

Eurozone’s producer price index fell 0.1% in April, after a 0.2% decline in March. This figure was expected by analysts.

German final services PMI declined to 56.0 in May from 56.4 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

French final services PMI sank to 49.1 in May from 49.2 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,818.63                              -17.67                       -0.26%

DAX                                     9,926.67                                +6.93                      +0.07%

CAC 40                                4,501.00                                 -2.69                      -0.06%

U.S. stock futures fell after a private report on payrolls showed companies added fewer jobs than forecast in May and as investors awaited a European Central Bank decision on stimulus measures.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,067.96 +33.71 +0.22%

Hang Seng 23,151.71 -139.33 -0.60%

Shanghai Composite 2,024.83 -13.47 -0.66%

FTSE 6,810.83 -25.47 -0.37%

CAC 4,487.7 -15.99 -0.36%

DAX 9,891.19 -28.55 -0.29%

Crude oil $103.22 (+0.55%)

Gold $1247.20 (+0.22%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Stock indices decreased due to expectation for further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank and the weaker-than-expected economic data in the Eurozone. Eurozone’s services purchase managers’ index (PMI) declined to 53.2 in May from 53.5 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

Eurozone’s gross domestic product remained unchanged at 0.2% in the first quarter, meeting analysts’ expectation.

Eurozone’s producer price index fell 0.1% in April, after a 0.2% decline in March. This figure was expected by analysts.

German final services PMI declined to 56.0 in May from 56.4 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

French final services PMI sank to 49.1 in May from 49.2 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remains unchanged.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,818.40                              -17.90                       -0.26%

DAX                                     9,901.80                               -17.94                      -0.18%

CAC 40                                4,494.94                                 -8.75                      -0.19%

Most Asian stock indices declined. Investors are awaiting the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision on Thursday and the U.S. jobs report on Friday.

The Japanese stock index Nikkei 225 was supported by the weak yen. The U.S. dollar strengthened against yen following overnight gains in U.S. Treasury yields.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                       15,067.96              +33.71           +0.27%

Hang Seng                      23,151.71             -139.33            -0.60%

Shanghai Composite         2,024.83               -13.47            -0.66%

HTC Corp. shares declined 4.3% after sales in May fell 27% from a year earlier.