Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 15-05-2014.

The stock indices stocks dropped due to the weak growth in the Eurozone. Eurozone’s gross domestic product increased 0.2% in the first quarter, from a 0.2% decrease in the previous month. Analysts had expected a 0.4% rise. On a yearly basis, the GDP in the Eurozone rose 0.9%, missing expectations for an increase of 1.1%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone’s harmonized consumer price index was unchanged at 0.7% in April. Analysts had forecasted this figure. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index in the Eurozone rose 0.2% April, from a 0.9% gain in March. The inflation rate is still well below the ECB's 2% inflation target.

Thomas Cook Group Plc shares declined 12.0% after posting the weak earnings results.

Richemont shares increased 4.0%, as the company’s results were exceeding analysts’ forecasts.

Deutsche Post AG shares decreased 5.2% after reporting its first quarter results, missing analysts’ forecasts.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,840.89                              -37.60                     -0.55%

DAX                                      9,656.05                             -98.34                      -1.01%

CAC 40                                 4,444.93                              -56.11                     -1.25%

U.S. stock-index futures are mixed after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. forecast profit below estimates and investors weighed data showing a pickup in inflation and a decline in jobless claims.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,298.21 -107.55 -0.75%

Hang Seng 22,730.86 +148.09 +0.66%

Shanghai Composite 2,024.97 -22.94 -1.12%

FTSE 6,875.05 -3.44 -0.05%

CAC 4,486.73 -14.31 -0.32%

DAX 9,747.66 -6.73 -0.07%

Crude oil $102.16 (-0.20%)

Gold $1294.10 (-0.90%)

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

Upgrades:

Twitter (TWTR) upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at Atlantic Equities

Downgrades:

Other:

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $26 from $24 at Piper Jaffray; reiterated at Overweight

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $23 from $19 at FBR Capital; reiterated at Mkt Perform

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $24 from $23 at RBC Capital Mkts; reiterated at Outperform

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $27 from $25 at Oppenheimer; reiterated at Outperform

The stock indices stocks were exhibiting a mixed trend. The weaker-than-expected GDP in the Eurozone had a negative impact on stock markets. Eurozone’s gross domestic product increased 0.2% in the first quarter, from a 0.2% decrease in the previous quarter. Analysts had expected a 0.4% rise. On a yearly basis, the GDP in the Eurozone rose 0.9%, missing expectations for an increase of 1.1%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone’s harmonized consumer price index was unchanged at 0.7% in April. Analysts had forecasted this figure. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index in the Eurozone rose 0.2% April, from a 0.9% gain in March. The inflation rate is still well below the ECB's 2% inflation target.

Thomas Cook Group Plc shares declined 6.2% after posting the weak earnings results.

Richemont shares increased 5.2%, as the company’s results were exceeding analysts’ forecasts.

London Stock Exchange Group Plc climbed 2.4% after announcing full-year sales.

Deutsche Post AG shares decreased 3.4% after reporting its first quarter results, missing analysts’ forecasts.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,889.55                              +11.06                     +0.16%

DAX                                      9,770.47                             +16.08                     +0.16%

CAC 40                                 4,499.55                               -1.49                     -0.03%

Asian stock indices traded mixed. The Japanese index Nikkei 225 decreased due to stronger yen and the earnings forecast of Sony Corp. The yen was supported by good economic data in Japan. On a yearly basis, Japan's gross domestic product climbed (preliminary) 5.9% in the first quarter of 2014, from a 0.7% rise in the fourth quarter of 2013. Analysts had expected a 4.2% increase. On a quarterly basis, Japan's gross domestic product rose (preliminary) 1.5% in the first quarter of 2014, from a 0.2% increase in the fourth quarter of 2013. Analysts had forecasted a 1.0% increase.

The Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said at the Annual Tokyo Conference the Bank of Japan will continue its Quantitative and Qualitative Easing to achieve its 2% inflation target within 2 years. Market participants were disappointed due to the likelihood for further stimulus measures by the Bank of Japan is lower now.

The Hong Kong stock index Hang Seng increased led by technology shares.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                     14,298.21            -107.55        -0.75%

Hang Seng                     22,730.86            +148.09       +0.66%

Shanghai Composite      2,024.97               -22.94         -1.12%

Sony Corp. shares dropped 6.1%, as the company forecast an annual loss.