Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 22-02-2013.

European shares rose for the first week in four as better-than-expected company earnings and measures of German confidence outweighed concern that the U.S. Federal Reserve will scale back its asset-purchase program.

In Germany, investor confidence increased to the highest level in almost three years in February. The index of investor and analyst expectations climbed to 48.2 from 31.5 in January, the ZEW Center for European Economic Research said this week. That exceeded the median estimate of economists in a survey calling for an increase to 35.

Separately, the Ifo institute’s business climate index for Europe’s biggest economy, based on a survey of 7,000 executives, climbed to 107.4 in February from a revised 104.3 in January. The median of 38 forecasts in a survey had called for an increase to 104.9. The latest reading was the highest since April.

Still, the euro-area economy will shrink for a second year in 2013, driving unemployment higher as governments, consumers and companies curb spending, the European Commission said.

National benchmark indexes climbed in 10 of the 18 western European markets. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 increased 0.1 percent and France’s CAC 40 added 1.3 percent. Germany’s DAX gained 0.9 percent.

Lafarge advanced 7.7 percent. The world’s biggest cement maker said it’ll meet most of a cost-cutting goal one year early after fourth-quarter earnings beat analysts’ estimates on rising sales in Asia and Latin America. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose to 856 million euros from 798 million euros a year earlier, the Paris-based company said. Analysts had expected 821.6 million euros.

Natixis rallied 18 percent. The investment-bank unit of France’s second-largest lender by branches said it will make a payment to shareholders after selling back stakes in its parent’s banking networks. The distribution amounts to 65 cents a share, and comes on top of a proposed dividend of 10 cents a share for 2012.

Royal KPN NV plunged 13 percent for the second-worst performance on the Stoxx 600 this week. America Movil SAB, the mobile-phone carrier controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, will take part in a 3 billion-euro KPN share sale, while declining to participate in a 1 billion-euro sale of so-called hybrid instruments.

RSA Insurance Group Plc tumbled 11 percent after announcing a dividend cut. The U.K.’s biggest non-life insurer by market value lowered its payout by 33 percent as its 2012 underwriting profit was eroded by claims related to wet weather in the U.K. and earthquakes in Italy.

U.S. stock futures rose as German business confidence jumped to a 10-month high amid better-than-anticipated corporate earnings.

Global Stocks:

A positive impact on market participants had data on the index of current conditions, expectations, and business climate in Germany from IFO. Figure exceeded analysts' expectations.

Also according to the European Commission expected the eurozone budget deficit for 2013 will not exceed 3% of GDP, which will for the first time since 2008 Godea.

FTSE 100 6,329.15 +37.61 +0.60%

DAX 7,617.49 +33.92 +0.45%

CAC 3,668.08 +43.41 +1.22%

Shares of Air France-KLM, one of the largest airlines in Europe, rose during trading at 0.7%. The company has reduced operating loss for the 2012 to 300 million euros compared with 353 million euros a year earlier.

Value of securities of Alcatel-Lucent SA jumped 3% on the information on the appointment of a new CEO telecommunications company. CEO of Alcatel-Lucent appointed former executive Vodafone Group Plc Michel Combes. Previous Alcatel-Lucent CEO Ben Vervayen stepped down earlier this month after a three-year plan is implemented it could not return the company to a profitable level.

Paper Elan Corp. increased in price by 4.4% after the announcement of the Irish pharmaceutical company of its intention to redeem its own shares for $ 1 billion

The value of shares A.P. Moeller-Maersk A / S fell by 1.2% on the back of poor prognosis Danish transport and the oil company for the current year.

Asian stocks erased losses as Japanese and Australian shares rebounded amid speculation yesterday’s decline on the regional benchmark index was excessive.

Nikkei 225 11,385.94 +76.81 +0.68%

Hang Seng 22,790.63 -116.04 -0.51%

S&P/ASX 200 5,018.15 +38.05 +0.76%

Shanghai Composite 2,314.16 -11.79 -0.51%

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest lender, rose 1.1 percent after the central bank governor said interest-rate cuts should be given time to do their work.

Tosoh Corp. jumped 4.3 percent in Tokyo on a report the chemical maker developed materials that prevent lithium ion batteries from catching fire.

Belle International Holdings Ltd. declined 5.5 percent in Hong Kong as analysts from Nomura Holdings Inc. and CCB International Securities Ltd. downgraded the shoe retailer.

Asian stocks plunged, with a gauge of Chinese companies in Hong Kong erasing the year’s gains, amid concern the Federal Reserve may scale back U.S. economic stimulus and as China ordered increased property curbs.

Nikkei 225 11,309.13 -159.15 -1.39%

Hang Seng 22,906.67 -400.74 -1.72%

S&P/ASX 200 4,980.09 -118.62 -2.33%

Shanghai Composite 2,325.95 -71.23 -2.97%

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. lost 2.4 percent in Hong Kong, pacing declines among Chinese developers.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, dropped 3.8 percent, the most since May, on concern that global demand will decrease if policymakers reduce stimulus.

Origin Energy Ltd. slumped 8.5 percent to A$11.33 in Sydney after Australia’s biggest electricity retailer cut its profit forecast and reported a cost increase at its A$25 billion ($26 billion) gas project.

European stocks declined the most in more than two weeks as a measure of services and manufacturing output contracted, while concern mounted that the Federal Reserve will scale back its asset-purchase program.

Euro-area services and manufacturing shrank in February more than economists had forecast. A composite index of both industries in the 17-nation currency bloc fell to 47.3 from 48.6 in January, London-based Markit Economics said today. Economists had predicted a reading of 49, according to the median of 22 estimates in a survey. A reading below 50 means that activity contracted.

Several participants at the FOMC’s meeting “emphasized that the committee should be prepared to vary the pace of asset purchases, either in response to changes in the economic outlook or as its evaluation of the efficacy and costs of such purchases evolves,” according to minutes released after the close of European markets yesterday.

National benchmark indexes fell in every western-European market except Iceland. France’s CAC 40 declined 2.3 percent, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 slid 1.6 percent. Germany’s DAX dropped 1.9 percent.

Safran decreased 3.1 percent to 34 euros. Europe’s second- biggest maker of aircraft engines has begun exploratory discussions with Avio, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Herteman said on a conference call.

Axa SA retreated 3.1 percent to 13.27 euros as net income unexpectedly fell to 4.15 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in 2012 from 4.19 billion euros in 2011. That missed the 4.47 billion- euro average analyst estimate in a survey.

Swiss Re Ltd. gained 2.5 percent to 75.65 francs, its highest price since June 2008. Investors will receive a special dividend of 4 francs a share, plus an ordinary dividend of 3.50 francs, the insurer said. That exceeded the average forecast of eight analysts for a total payout of 6.21 francs a share. Fourth-quarter net income of $795 million beat the average analyst estimate of $240.3 million.

Schneider Electric SA climbed 2.3 percent to 56.67 euros after the world’s biggest maker of low- and medium-voltage equipment said revenue will rebound in 2013. The company added that net income rose 3 percent to 1.84 billion euros in 2012. The average analyst estimate had called for profit of 1.83 billion euros.

BAE Systems Plc jumped 4.1 percent to 345.9 pence, its biggest rally in more than five months. Europe’s largest arms company said it will buy back as much as 1 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) of shares over three years after reporting full-year earnings that fell less than analysts had predicted.

U.S. stocks fell, extending yesterday's decline, to close at the lowest levels since February 4.

The reason for selling was submitted last minutes of the last meeting of the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve, in which information was seen as a signal that the Fed will, sooner rather than later schedule, will minimize the monetary measures to stimulate the economy. Investors fear that minimize incentives can have a very negative impact on the state of the U.S. economy.

Decrease in the indices failed to stop the data on existing home sales in the U.S. market, which in January was slightly better than expected (4.92 million units vs. 4.91 million). In parallel with the data on the housing market report was published by the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index, the value of which in February unexpectedly fell to -12.5 points, expected growth rate to -5.8 points in January to 0.7 in February.

Stocks fell, while the U.S. dollar strengthened, amid comments from U.S. Federal Reserve about the possible future monetary policy. President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, James Bullard said that the Fed could reduce the rate of monthly purchases of assets in the amount of $ 85 billion, not suddenly stop them if the economic situation will continue to improve this year. He noted that the interest rate rise could occur by June 2014, as the unemployment rate could fall below 6.5%. It is the threshold level set by the Fed.

Most of the components of the index DOW finished trading in the red (21 of 30). Lost more than 3% shares Bank of America Corporation (BAC, -3.22%) and The Home Depot, Inc. (HD, -3.10%). Leader was led Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ, +2.40%).

All sectors of the S & P showed a negative trend. Maximum loss demonstrated financial sector (-1.2%).

Manufacturer of terminals for payment cards VeriFone Systems fell to 42.8% after the posted disappointing quarterly earnings forecasts due to the unfavorable economic situation in Europe.

Manufacturer of electric Tesla Motors dipped by 8.9 against the published quarterly report - company's losses were larger than expected on Wall Street, and excluding some items were 65 cents per share forecast at 57 cents.

At the close:

S & P 500 1,502.42 -9.53 -0.63%

NASDAQ 3,131.49 -32.92 -1.04%

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 11,309.13 -159.15 -1.39%

Hang Seng 22,906.67 -400.74 -1.72%

S&P/ASX 200 4,980.09 -118.62 -2.33%

Shanghai Composite 2,325.95 -71.23 -2.97%

CAC 40 3,624.8 -85.08 -2.29%

DAX 7,583.57 -145.33 -1.88%

S&P 500 1,502.42 -9.53 -0.63%

NASDAQ 3,131.49 -32.92 -1.04%

Dow 13,880.62 -46.92 -0.34%