Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 21-05-2014.

The stock indices stocks were up due to the better-than-expected consumer confidence in the Eurozone. The consumer confidence in the Eurozone was -7.1 in May, from a decrease of 8.6 in April. Analysts had expected a decline of 8.0.

Earlier in the trading session, the current account surplus in the Eurozone was 18.8 billion euro in March, after a surplus of 21.9 billion euro in February. Analysts had expected an increase to 24.2 billion euro.

A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S shares rose 3.9% after the company forecasted an increase of its profit in 2014.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                              6,821.04                             +19.04                      +0.28%

DAX                                      9,697.87                              +58.79                      +0.61%

CAC 40                                 4,469.03                              +16.68                      +0.37%

U.S. stock-index futures rose  as investors awaited the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting to help gauge the strength of the economic recovery.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,042.17 -33.08 -0.24%

Hang Seng 22,836.52 +1.84 +0.01%

Shanghai Composite 2,024.95 +16.83 +0.84%

FTSE 6,804.22 +2.22 +0.03%

CAC 4,462.77 +10.42 +0.23%

DAX 9,690.87 +51.79 +0.54%

Crude oil $102.98 (+0.63%)

Gold $1292.00 (-0.19%)

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

Upgrades:

American International Group Inc (AIG) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman

Downgrades:

Other:

Home Depot (HD) target raised to $97 from $96 at RBC Capital Mkts

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $28 from $25 at Stifel

The stock indices stocks traded mixed amid the consumer confidence in the Eurozone. The consumer confidence should be -8.0 in May, from -8.6 in April.

The current account surplus in the Eurozone was 18.8 billion euro in March, after a surplus of 21.9 billion euro in February. Analysts had expected an increase to 24.2 billion euro.

A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S shares rose 2.9% after the company forecasted an increase of its profit in 2014.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                              6,789.28                             -12.72                      -0.19%

DAX                                      9,647.68                               +8.60                      +0.09%

Asian stock indices were exhibiting a mixed trend on Wednesday. The Japanese stock index Nikkei 225 dropped due to the stronger yen. The yen strengthened after the Bank of Japan refrained from boosting stimulus measures. The Bank of Japan will continue to increase the monetary base at a pace of ¥60 trillion to ¥70 trillion per year. Japan’s central bank expects a moderate economic recovery.

Japan’s trade deficit was ¥808.9 billion in April, compared to a deficit of ¥1,714.2 billion in March. Analysts had forecasted a deficit of ¥640.0 billion.

Chinese stock indices rose due to speculation that state-linked investors are purchasing equities and expectations of market reforms in the coal sector.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                      14,042.17              -33.08        -0.24%

Hang Seng                     22,836.52              +1.84         +0.01%

Shanghai Composite        2,024.95              +16.83       +0.84%

Lenovo Group Ltd. shares climbed 2.6% after reporting a rise in full-year profit.