Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 17-10-2014.

Stock indices closed higher on comments by the European Central Bank executive board member Benoît Coeuré. He said the central bank will start buying private-sector debt instruments in coming days. Coeuré also said that it is too early to say Germany could fall into recession.

Coeuré pointed out that the ECB monitors its asset purchases, and there is "no target" for the exchange rate of the euro.

The European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio warned that falling inflation expectations would be "extremely harmful".

Eurostat revised the economic growth figures. Eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for a flat reading of 0.0%. The previous reading was 0.0%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.3% in the second quarter, missing expectations for a 0.7% rise. The previous reading was a 0.7% gain.

Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc shares dropped 11% after profit warning. The impact of Russian sanctions weighed on the company.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,310.29 +114.38 +1.85%

DAX 8,850.27 +267.37 +3.12%

CAC 40 4,033.18 +114.56 +2.92%

U.S. stock-index futures rallied on speculation central banks will support economic growth with more stimulus.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,532.51 -205.87 -1.40%

Hang Seng 23,023.21 +122.27 +0.53%

Shanghai Composite 2,341.18 -15.32 -0.65%

FTSE 6,257.78 +61.87 +1.00%

CAC 4,001.25 +82.63 +2.11%

DAX 8,745.47 +162.57 +1.89%

Crude oil $83.72 (+1.16%)

Gold $1238.40 (-0.21%)

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

Upgrades:

UnitedHealth (UNH) upgraded from Mkt Perform to Outperform at Leerink Partners, target $100

Goldman Sachs (GS) upgraded from Mkt Perform to Outperform at Keefe Bruyette, target rised from $173 to $195

Downgrades:

Other:

Stock indices traded higher as the European Central Bank (ECB) executive board member Benoît Coeuré said the central bank will start buying private-sector debt instruments in coming days. He also said that it is too early to say Germany could fall into recession.

Coeuré pointed out that the ECB monitors its asset purchases, and there is "no target" for the exchange rate of the euro.

The European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio warned that falling inflation expectations would be "extremely harmful".

Eurostat revised the economic growth figures. Eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for a flat reading of 0.0%. The previous reading was 0.0%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.3% in the second quarter, missing expectations for a 0.7% rise. The previous reading was a 0.7% gain.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,243.56 +47.65 +0.77%

DAX 8,702.34 +119.44 +1.39%

CAC 40 3,975 +56.38 +1.44%

Asian stock indices closed mixed. Stocks were supported by yesterday's strong U.S. economic data. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending October 11 in the U.S. dropped by 23,000 to 264,000. Analysts had expected the number of initial jobless claims to decline by 1,000 to 286,000.

The U.S. industrial production rose 1.0% in September, exceeding expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.2% decline in August. August's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decrease.

The U.S. economic data eased investor concerns over the global growth.

Comments by Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard calmed markets. Bullard said that the Fed should consider to delay the end of its bond-buying program.

Japanese stocks fell due to a stronger yen. The yen strengthened on worries about the global economy.

Chinese stocks declined on speculation a trading link between Hong Kong and Shanghai will be delayed.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 14,532.51 -205.87 -1.40%

Hang Seng 23,023.21 +122.27 +0.53%

Shanghai Composite 2,341.18 -15.32 -0.65%