Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 14-03-2012.

European stocks advanced to the highest level since July as the Federal Reserve raised its economic assessment of the world’s largest economy. The Federal Open Market Committee said late yesterday that strains in global financial markets have eased and the labor market is gathering strength. At the same time, it said that the unemployment rate is “elevated” and “significant downside risks” remain. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is holding to his plan to the keep benchmark interest rate close to zero through at least 2014.

Greece’s credit rating was lifted out of the default category by Fitch Ratings on optimism that a debt swap will reduce the risk that the country eventually reneges on its obligations. Greece was raised four levels to B- from restricted default and given a stable outlook by Fitch. New government bonds have a B- rating, while debt that is not governed by Greek law has a C rating pending settlement on April 11, Fitch said.

Italy sold 6 billion euros of bonds today, with borrowing costs on its three-year debt falling to the lowest since October 2010 as European Central Bank loans helped boost demand. The Treasury sold 5 billion euros of a new three-year bond to yield 2.76 percent and 1 billion euros of seven-year bonds at 4.3 percent, meeting the 6 billion-euro maximum set for the sale.

National benchmark indexes rose in 15 of the 18 western- European (SXXP) markets. Germany’s DAX Index added 1.2 percent. France’s CAC 40 Index gained 0.4 percent and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index fell 0.2 percent.

EON AG, Germany’s biggest utility, gained 7 percent after it reported 2011 earnings that topped analysts’ estimates.

Gauges of European banks and insurers pulled the Stoxx 600 higher, with Credit Suisse rallying 5 percent to 26.3 Swiss francs, and Legal & General advancing 7.2 percent to 134.3 pence. Natixis SA added 5.2 percent to 2.95 euros and Deutsche Bank AG gained 3.4 percent to 38.17 euros.

Arkema fell 5 percent to 69 euros. Investor Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA is offering 6.2 million shares of the company for as much as 450 million euros. The shares are being sold for about 69.90 euros each, according to a term sheet.

U.S. stocks were little changed as new record in Apple Inc. shares and a rebound in financial companies tempered valuation concern after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rallied to the highest level since June 2008.

Banks in the S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent for the fourth- biggest gain among 24 industries. After the close of trading, the Fed said 15 of 19 banks would be able to maintain capital levels above a regulatory minimum in an “extremely adverse” economic scenario, even while continuing to pay dividends and repurchasing stock.

Transportation stocks had the biggest decline in the S&P 500 among 24 industries, falling 1.2 percent. The group is considered a proxy for economic growth. The Fed said yesterday that strains in global financial markets have eased and the labor market is gathering strength, adding to speculation that it will refrain from additional stimulus.

Dow 13,182.67     +4.99   +0.04%, Nasdaq      3,031.08       -8.80   -0.29%, S&P 500    1,391.35       -4.60         -0.33%

Bank of America (ВАС) added 4.5 percent to $8.87. Zions Bancorporation soared 11 percent to $21.62. Regions Financial Corp. jumped 8 percent to $6.23. Citigroup slumped 2.9 percent to $35.40. MetLife fell 4.9 percent to $37.55.

Apple climbed 4.1 percent to $591.19, rising for a sixth day. The world’s largest technology company had its share price estimate raised to $720 from $515 at Morgan Stanley.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. jumped 9.7 percent to $71.18. The largest U.S. iron-ore producer more than doubled its dividend and said it’s refocusing on the execution of expansion projects.

Gold producers tumbled as speculation that an economic recovery will curb demand for the metal. Gold has surged more than 85 percent since December 2008 as the Fed held U.S. borrowing costs at a record low and bought $2.3 trillion in housing and government debt during two rounds of so-called quantitative easing. Newmont Mining Corp., the largest U.S. gold producer, dropped 1.6 percent to $54.

Resistance 3:1410 (Jun’2008 high)

Resistance 2:1400 (psychological level)

Resistance 1:1394 (session high)

Current price: 1391,50

Support 1:1386 (session low)

Support 2:1377 (Mar 1-2 lows)

Support 3:1370 (intraday low on Mar 13)

U.S. stock futures were little changed as investors weighed the Federal Reserve’s stress tests on financial institutions.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei  10,050.52 +151.44 +1.53%

Hang Seng 21,307.89 -31.81 -0.15%

Shanghai Composite 2,391.23 -64.57 -2.63%

FTSE  5,976.99 +21.08 +0.35%

CAC  3,575.95 +25.79 +0.73%

DAX 7,083.72 +87.81 +1.26%

Crude oil $106.16 (-0,52%).

Gold $1645.70 (-2,86%).

Asian stocks rose for a second day after U.S. retail sales jumped and the Federal Reserve raised its assessment of the world’s biggest economy. Shares pared gains after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said home prices are still too high.

Nikkei 225 10,050.52 +151.44 +1.53%

Hang Seng 21,307.89 -31.81 -0.15%

S&P/ASX 200 4,287.18 +39.56 +0.93%

Shanghai Composite 2,391.23 -64.57 -2.63%

Toyota Motor Corp. rose 2.1 percent in Tokyo.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest miner, gained 1.3 percent in Sydney after metal prices advanced.

Samsung Electronics Co. climbed 2.4 percent in Seoul after saying it will supply screens for Apple Inc.’s new iPad.

Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd., a mainland developer, fell 3.2 percent.

Asian stocks rose, with the benchmark index set to gain for a third day in four, amid optimism euro-area finance chiefs will complete a second Greek bailout, and before the release of U.S. retail sales data.

Nikkei 225 9,899.08 +9.22 +0.09%

Hang Seng 21,339.7 +205.52 +0.97%

S&P/ASX 200 4,247.62 +50.93 +1.21%

Shanghai Composite 2,455.79 +20.94 +0.86%

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s biggest bank by market value, rose 1.3 percent in Hong Kong.

Wynn Macau Ltd., a unit of the casino operator founded by billionaire Steve Wynn, jumped 9.1 percent after Deutsche Bank AG said Macau casino revenue may grow 25 percent in 2012.

Camera maker Canon Inc. dropped 0.7 percent in Tokyo, reversing gains, after the Bank of Japan decided against expanding its asset-purchase program and the yen strengthened.

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 9,899.08 +9.22 +0.09%

Hang Seng 21,339.7 +205.52 +0.97%

S&P/ASX 200 4,247.62 +50.93 +1.21%

Shanghai Composite 2,455.79 +20.94 +0.86%

FTSE 100 5,955.91 +63.16 +1.07%

CAC 40 3,550.16 +60.10 +1.72%

DAX 6,995.91 +94.56 +1.37%

Dow 13,177.68 +217.97 +1.68%

Nasdaq 3,039.88 +56.22 +1.88%

S&P 500 1,395.95 +24.86 +1.81%