Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 21-10-2014.

Stock indices closed higher on the European Central Bank corporate bonds buying report. Reuters reported today that the ECB considering to start buying corporate bonds. The central bank could discuss the possibility of corporate bond buying program at its December meeting.

The ECB purchased Italian covered bonds today. The central bank bought short-dated French notes and Spanish securities yesterday.

The better-than-estimated corporate earnings also supported the European stock markets.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,372.33 +105.26 +1.68%

DAX 8,886.96 +169.20 +1.94%

CAC 40 4,081.24 +90.00 +2.25%

U.S. stock futures rose amid earnings from companies including Apple (AAPL) Inc. and Travelers Cos. and as investors speculated Europe's central bank would add stimulus.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,804.28 -306.95 -2.03%

Hang Seng 23,088.58 +18.32 +0.08%

Shanghai Composite 2,339.66 -17.07 -0.72%

FTSE 6,320.31 +53.24 +0.85%

CAC 4,051.87 +60.63 +1.52%

DAX 8,805.62 +87.86 +1.01%

Crude oil $82.90 (+0.27%)

Gold $1249.10 (+0.36%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

IBM downgraded to Hold from Buy at Evercore

Other:

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $143 from $123 at Cantor Fitzgerald

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $118 from $104 at Macquarie; Outperform

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $115 from $110 at Mizuho

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $113 from $110 at Cowen

IBM target lowered to $170 from $190 at RBC Capital Mkts

IBM target lowered to $190 from $218 at Stifel

Stock indices traded higher on speculation for additional stimulus measures by the European Central Bank (ECB). Reuters reported today that the ECB considering to start buying corporate bonds. The central bank could discuss the possibility of corporate bond buying program at its December meeting.

The better-than-estimated corporate earnings also supported the European stock markets.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,313.86 +46.79 +0.75%

DAX 8,840.84 +123.08 +1.41%

CAC 40 4,057.71 +66.47 +1.67%

Most Asian stock indices closed lower after the Chinese economic data. China's gross domestic product increased 7.3% in the third quarter, exceeding expectations for a 7.2% rise, after a 7.5% gain in the second quarter.

China's industrial production climbed 8.0% in September, beating forecasts of a 7.5% increase, after a 6.9% gain in August.

Fixed asset investment in China rose 16.1% in September, missing expectations for a 16.2%, after a 16.5% gain in August.

Retail sales in China increased 11.6% in September, missing forecasts of a 11.8% gain, after a 11.9% rise in August.

Investors speculate that these Chinese economic data would not be enough for additional stimulus measures.

Japan's all industry activity index decreased 0.1% in August, beating expectations for a 0.3% drop, after 0.4% fall in July. July's figure was revised down from a 0.2% decline.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 14,804.28 -306.95 -2.03%

Hang Seng 23,088.58 +18.32 +0.08%

Shanghai Composite 2,339.66 -17.07 -0.72%