Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 07-08-2014.

Stock indices closed lower after the European Central Bank's interest rate decision and press conference. The ECB kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.15%.

The ECB President reiterated that interest rates will remain at low levels "for an extended period of time" and the ECB could launch unconventional measures to tackle low inflation.

Mr. Draghi warned that tensions between Russia and the EU over Ukraine may affect the economic recovery in the EU.

Germany's industrial production climbed 0.3% in June, after a 1.7% decline in May, but missing expectations for a 1.4% rise. May's figure was revised up from a 1.8% fall.

The Bank of England kept its interest rate at 0.50% and its asset purchase facility program at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected by investors.

Adidas AG shares declined 4.8% after the company lowered its profit forecast for 2014.

Beiersdorf AG dropped 1.8% after missing first-half revenue analyst's forecasts.

Nestle SA jumped 3.4% after the company announced plans to buy back up to eight billion Swiss francs of its shares.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,597.37 -38.79 -0.58%

DAX 9,038.97 -91.07 -1.00%

CAC 40 4,149.83 -57.31 -1.36%

U.S. stock futures advanced as better-than-estimated earnings from 21st Century Fox Inc. overshadowed concern that the crisis in Ukraine is escalating.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,232.37 +72.58 +0.48%

Hang Seng 24,387.56 -196.57 -0.80%

Shanghai Composite 2,187.67 -29.80 -1.34%

FTSE 6,641.07 +4.91 +0.07%

CAC 4,190.38 -16.76 -0.40%

DAX 9,132.48 +2.44 +0.03%

Crude oil $97.26 (+0.36%)

Gold $1306.70 (-0.11%)

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

Upgrades:

Caterpillar (CAT) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at ISI Group

Downgrades:

Other:

FedEx (FDX) added to Focus List at Citigroup

UnitedHealth (UNH) removed from Conviction Buy list at Goldman

Barrick Gold (ABX) target raised to $25 from $23 at RBC Capital Mkts

Stock indices traded lower ahead of the European Central Bank's decision. Analysts expect that the ECB will keep its interest unchanged at 0.15%.

Tensions over Ukraine also weighed on stock markets. Russia banned a range of food imports from the United States and Europe.

Germany's industrial production climbed 0.3% in June, after a 1.7% decline in May, but missing expectations for a 1.4% rise. May's figure was revised up from a 1.8% fall.

Adidas AG shares declined 3.8% after the company lowered its profit forecast for 2014.

Beiersdorf AG dropped 5% after missing first-half revenue analyst's forecasts.

Commerzbank AG shares increased 2.6% after the bank reported that second-quarter profit more than doubled.

Nestle SA jumped 3.4% after the company announced plans to buy back up to eight billion Swiss francs of its shares.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,620.83 -15.33 -0.23%

DAX 9,117.92 -12.12 -0.13%

CAC 40 4,183.99 -23.15 -0.55%

Most Asian stock closed lower. Tensions over Ukraine weighed on stock markets. Russia will ban all imports of food from the United States and all fruit and vegetables from Europe.

Investors are awaiting the European Central Bank's and Bank of England's interest decision today.

Reuters reported today that Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) plans to buy more domestic stocks. GPIF's target is over 20% of funds in domestic stocks (current target: 12%).

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,232.37 +72.58 +0.48%

Hang Seng 24,387.56 -196.57 -0.80%

Shanghai Composite 2,187.67 -29.80 -1.34%