Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 07-05-2014.

European stocks were exhibiting a mixed trend. The weaker-than-expected earnings results from companies across Europe and tensions in Ukraine had an impact on stock markets.

In addition, German factory orders declined 2.8% in March from an increase of 0.9% in February. February’s figure was revised up from 0.6%. Analysts had forecasted a 0.5% rise.

French industrial production decreased 0.7% in March from an increase of 0.1% in February. Analysts had expected a 0.4% increase.

Fiat SpA shares declined 12.0% after the release of the weaker-than-expected first quarter earnings.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,796.44                              -2.12                        -0.03%

DAX                                      9,521.3                                +53.77                     +0.57%

CAC 40                                 4,446.44                              +18.37                    -0.10%

U.S. stock-index futures advanced as investors weighed corporate earnings from First Solar Inc. (FSLR), Electronic Arts (EA) and Walt Disney Co (DIS) before Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen addresses Congress.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,033.45 -424.06 -2.93%

Hang Seng 21,746.26 -230.07 -1.05%

Shanghai Composite 2,010.08 -17.95 -0.89%

FTSE 6,784.22 -14.34 -0.21%

CAC 4,438.57 +10.50 +0.24%

DAX 9,513.39 +45.86 +0.48%

Crude oil $100.04 (+0.55%)

Gold $1305.10 (-0.28%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Merck (MRK) downgraded to Equal-Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley

eBay (EBAY)  downgraded to Neutral from Buy at SunTrust

Other:

European stocks dropped due to the weaker-than-expected earnings results from companies across Europe. In addition, the disappointing economic data in Germany and France and ongoing violence in Ukraine also had a negative impact on stock markets.

German factory orders declined 2.8% in March from an increase of 0.9% in February. February’s figure was revised up from 0.6%. Analysts had forecasted a 0.5% rise.

French industrial production decreased 0.7% in March from an increase of 0.1% in February. Analysts had expected a 0.4% increase.

Fiat SpA shares declined 8.3% after the release of the weaker-than-expected first quarter earnings.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,773.21                             -25.35                     -0.37%

DAX                                      9,457.28                             -10.25                     -0.11%

CAC 40                                 4,423.73                              -4.34                      -0.10%

Asian stock indices plunged due to a stronger yen and losses on Wall Street. Stocks of the export companies traded lower as the yen increased against major currencies. Demand for the safe haven yen was increasing. A stronger yen makes Japanese goods less competitive abroad.

Concerns over the China’s economy had a negative impact on Chinese stock indices. China’s HSBC Services PMI decreased to 51.4 in April from 51.9 in March.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                     14,033.45         -424.06     -2.93%

Hang Seng                     21,746.26         -230.07     -1.05%

Shanghai Composite      2,010.08           -17.95       -0.89%

SoftBank Corp., the biggest investor in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., shares dropped 5.1% after Alibaba filed for an initial public offering in New York on Wednesday.