Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 16-03-2012.

European stocks posted their biggest weekly rally since early February as reports from the U.S. to Germany indicated growth is gaining pace and the Federal Reserve raised its assessment of the world’s biggest economy.

In Germany, the ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim said on March 13 its index of investor and analyst expectations, which seeks to predict economic developments six months in advance, rose to 22.3 from 5.4 in February. That was the fourth straight increase.

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits fell by 14,000 to 351,000 in the week ended March 10, U.S. Labor Department figures showed on March 15. That matched a four-year low, first reached a month earlier.

National benchmark indexes rose in all of Europe’s 18 western markets except Portugal. France’s CAC 40 Index jumped 3.1 percent, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index added 1.3 percent, while Germany’s DAX Index rallied 4 percent.

Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second-biggest bank, increased 11 percent. Deutsche Bank AG, Germany’s largest, gained 9.8 percent.

Pirelli surged 15 percent. The company on March 12 posted 2011 profit of 451.6 million euros, exceeding the 314.3 million- euro analyst estimate, and increased its dividend to 27 euro cents.

Aixtron SE, which manufactures equipment for the semiconductor industry, soared 19 percent. The stock was raised to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank AG on March 15. The analysts cited “early indications of a recovery in the LED industry demand.”

U.S. stocks were little changed, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index poised for its biggest weekly gain in 2012, as an unexpected decline in consumer confidence and a rally in oil tempered optimism about growth.

Equities were little changed as confidence among consumers unexpectedly fell in March, a sign rising fuel costs may be starting to weigh on the economic outlook. The cost of living rose in February by the most in 10 months, reflecting a jump in gasoline. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said yesterday rising oil prices show “we still face a dangerous and uncertain world” and there’s no easy way to lower gasoline costs.

Dow 13,249.05     -3.71   -0.03%, Nasdaq       3,055.87       -0.50   -0.02%, S&P 500    1,404.22       +1.62         +0.12%

Energy shares gained as oil traded above $105 a barrel on speculation that fuel demand will climb with the economic rebound in the U.S. Schlumberger, the world’s largest oilfield- services provider, added 2 percent to $76.45. Noble increased 4.9 percent to $41.26.

Bank of America (ВАС) increased 3.5 percent, the most in the Dow, to $9.56. Zions Bancorporation added 1.6 percent to $22.48.

Apple increased 0.1 percent to $586.07, after yesterday rising above $600 for the first time. The 9.7-inch iPad, unveiled on March 7, is the biggest upgrade yet to Apple’s tablet before Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) introduces new software for competing devices.

Resistance 3:1440 (high of May’2008)

Resistance 2:1410 (high of Jun’2008)

Resistance 1:1400 (session high)

Current price: 1398,25

Support 1:1394 (session low)

Support 2:1384 (Mar 14 low)

Support 3:1377 (Feb 29, Mar 1-2 lows)

U.S. stock futures advanced before data that may show consumers are the most upbeat in a year and factory output increased.

Global stocks:

Nikkei  10,129.83 +6.55 +0.06%

Hang Seng 21,317.85 -35.68 -0.17%

Shanghai Composite  2,404.74 +30.96 +1.30%

FTSE  5,971.08 +30.36 +0.51%

CAC  3,595.55 +15.34 +0.43%

DAX 7,188.35 +43.90 +0.61%

Crude oil (+0,7%).

Gold $1643.50 (-1,0%).

23:50 Japan Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes

The yen headed for a weekly drop against most major peers as signs of growth in the U.S. and prospects for further stimulus by the Bank Japan of prompted investors to seek higher-yielding assets.

The BOJ unexpectedly expanded its asset purchase program by 10 trillion yen ($120 billion) and set an inflation goal of 1 percent at its meeting that concluded on Feb. 14. One board member said the central bank should aim for 2 percent inflation, according to minutes of the meeting released today. The BOJ on March 13 expanded loans designed to boost long- term growth. On the same day, the Federal Reserve raised its outlook for U.S. growth, predicting unemployment “will decline gradually.

The greenback is poised for a five-day advance against the euro before U.S. data today forecast to show industrial production increased and consumer sentiment improved.

The dollar has risen against 14 of its 16 major counterparts this week as signs of strength in the U.S. economy reduced the chance for a third round of bond purchases -- known as quantitative easing or QE3 -- by the Fed to spur growth. Industrial output at U.S. factories, mines and utilities climbed 0.4 percent in February, according to the median of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News before today’s data release. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment rose to a one-year high of 76 in March, a separate poll showed ahead of the figures due today.

EUR/USD: during the Asian session the pair traded in a range $1.3065-$1.3100.

GBP/USD: during the Asian session the pair gain above $1.5700.

USD/JPY: during the Asian session the pair holds in range Y83.25-Y83.65.

On Friday EMU data sees the 1000GMT release of January trade data. US data starts at 1230GMT with CPI, which is expected to rise

0.5% in February after rising 0.2% in January both overall and excluding food and energy. Industrial production data follows at 1315GMT and is expected to rise 0.5% in February after holding steady in January. At 1355GMT, the Michigan Sentiment Index is expected to rise to a reading of 76.0 in early March from the 75.3 final February reading. Later on, at 1900GMT, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans speaks to the International Research eForum on Monetary Policy in Frankfurt. Late US data then sees the 2015GMT release of C&I Loans data.

Resistance 3: Chf0.9335 (Mar 15 high)

Resistance 2: Chf0.9270 (middle line from Feb 29)

Resistance 1: Chf0.9240 (session high)

The current price: Chf0.9228

Support 1: Chf0.9200 (Mar 15 low)

Support 2: Chf0.9140 (Mar 13 low)

Support 3: Chf0.9105 (low of the American session on Mar 9)

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 10,123.28 +72.76 +0.72%

Hang Seng 21,353.53 +45.64 +0.21%

S&P/ASX 200 4,277.77 -9.41 -0.22%

Shanghai Composite 2,373.77 -17.46 -0.73%  

FTSE 100 5,940.72 -4.71 -0.08%

CAC 40 3,580.21 +15.70 +0.44%

DAX 7,144.45 +65.03 +0.92%

Dow 13,252.76 +58.66 +0.44%

Nasdaq 3,056.37 +15.64 +0.51%

S&P 500 1,402.60 +8.32 +0.60%