Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 20-12-2012.

European stocks were little changed near a 19-month high as investors awaited developments in U.S. negotiations to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff of automatic tax increases and spending cuts.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) increased less than 0.1 percent to 281.83 at 4:38 p.m. in London, having swung between gains and losses at least 20 times today.

National benchmark indexes rose in 12 of the 18 western European markets.

FTSE 100 5,958.34 -3.25 -0.05% CAC 40 3,666.73 +2.14 +0.06% DAX 7,672.1 +3.60 +0.05% 

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.1 percent annual rate in the third quarter, more than previously reported, reflecting the first gain in state and local government spending in three years, more consumer purchases and a smaller trade gap, according to a report today.

SBM Offshore climbed 18 percent to 10.88 euros, the biggest jump since at least October 1989, as the world’s largest maker of floating oil and gas output platforms sought to settle a dispute with Talisman and wrote off the value of a related operation. The company will sell a 9.95 percent stake to HAL Investments BV for $193 million to restore its balance sheet and meet banking covenants.

UBS (UBSN) slipped 1.3 percent to 15.01 Swiss francs. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has started an investigation to see if there was wrongdoing by the bank in its submission of data for setting the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate, according to a statement from the de-facto central bank.

Cap Gemini SA (CAP), a French computer-services company, slid 2.8 percent to 33.53 euros. Accenture Plc, the world’s second- largest technology-consulting company, reported a decline in first-quarter revenue from its consulting business.

Areva SA (AREVA) lost 4.3 percent to 12.84 euros. The maker of nuclear reactors, offshore wind turbines and biomass plants cut its earnings forecast for 2013, citing financing delays at unspecified renewable energy projects carried out by clients.

Immofinanz AG (IIA) slid 4.6 percent to 3.26 euros. The Austrian real-estate company said first-half net income declined to 103.3 million euros from 265.1 million euros a year ago.

Carnival Corp. (CCL), the world’s largest cruise-line operator, tumbled 6.5 percent to 2,380 pence for the worst performance on the Stoxx 600. The company said it sees 2013 adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.20 to $2.40, lower than the estimate of $2.46.

US stock futures fluctuated near a 2-year high as investors awaited developments in U.S. negotiations to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. U.S. index futures and Asian shares were little changed.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei  10,039.33 -121.07 -1.19%
Hang Seng 22,659.78 +36.41 +0.16%
Shanghai Composite 2,168.35 +6.11 +0.28%
FTSE  5,967.86 +6.27 +0.11%
CAC  3,672.17 +7.58 +0.21%
DAX 7,670.37 +1.87 +0.02%
Crude oil $89.47 -0.57%
Gold $1654.00 -0.82%

Microsoft (MSFT) was reiterated Mkt Perform at FBR Capital. Target was lowered from $32 to $30.

European stocks fluctuated near a 19-month high as investors awaited developments in U.S. negotiations to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

Officials from President Barack Obama’s administration told leaders of U.S. business and financial-services groups that negotiations with House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, have deteriorated in the last 24 hours, according to a person familiar with the meeting.

Ericsson fell 2.7 percent to 64.55 kronor as the world’s largest maker of mobile-phone networks took the charge for writing down the value of ST-Ericsson. The company said it won’t buy a full majority of the unit after Geneva-based STMicroelectronics said it will exit the venture.

SBM Offshore climbed 14 percent to 10.52 euros, the biggest increase in nine months, as the world’s largest maker of floating oil and gas output platforms sought to settle a dispute with Talisman and wrote off the value of a related operation. The company will sell a 9.95 percent stake to HAL Investments BV for $193 million to restore its balance sheet and meet banking covenants.

Cap Gemini SA, a French computer-services company, slid 2.9 percent to 33.50 euros. Accenture Plc, the world’s second- largest technology-consulting company, reported a decline in first-quarter sales of its advice.

FTSE 100 5,965.36 +3.77 +0.06%

CAC 40 3,664.68 +0.09 0.00%

DAX 7,663.44 -5.06 -0.07%

Most Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index dropping from a 16-month high amid concern U.S. budget negotiations are faltering and as a surging yen weighed on Japanese stocks. The Bank of Japan  boosted its asset purchase program for the third time in four months.

Nikkei 225 10,039.33 -121.07 -1.19%

S&P/ASX 200 4,634.11 +16.33 +0.35%

Shanghai Composite 2,168.35 +6.11 +0.28%

Samsung Electronics Co., which gets a fifth of its revenue in America, dropped 0.8 percent in Seoul.

Canon Inc., a camera maker that gets 80 percent of its sales outside Japan, dropped 2.9 percent.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan’s biggest lender, advanced 1.2 percent.

Nissan Motor Co. slumped 7.4 percent after Nomura Holdings Inc. cut its rating on the stock.

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark headed for the highest close since August 2011, amid confidence U.S. policy makers will reach a budget deal and the Bank of Japan will add to economic stimulus.

Nikkei 225 10,160.4 +237.39 +2.39%

S&P/ASX 200 4,617.78 +22.57 +0.49%

Shanghai Composite 2,162.24 -0.23 -0.01%

Canon Inc., a camera maker that gets 27 percent of its sales in the Americas, gained 6.5 percent.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan’s biggest lender, jumped 6.1 percent on speculation the BOJ will add monetary easing tomorrow.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd. added 8.1 percent in Sydney after confirming it had held talks with China Shenhua Energy Co. while saying it wasn’t approached to buy assets from the company.

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 10,160.4 +237.39 +2.39%

S&P/ASX 200 4,617.78 +22.57 +0.49%

Shanghai Composite 2,162.24 -0.23 -0.01%

FTSE 100 5,961.59 +25.69 +0.43%

CAC 40 3,664.59 +15.96 +0.44%

DAX 7,668.5 +14.92 +0.19%