Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 22-10-2014.

Stock indices closed slightly higher. Markets benefited from speculation for additional stimulus measures by the European Central Bank (ECB). Reuters reported yesterday 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 Bank of England (BoE) released its minutes of the monetary policy committee meeting today. Two members, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale, voted for the third consecutive month to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5%.

Seven of the nine MPC members voted to keep interest rate at 0.5%.

The tone of minutes was bearish. The BoE said that there was a slight loss of momentum in September, and it expects that GDP growth in the fourth quarter would slow to 0.8%.

The central bank pointed out that interest rate hike "might leave the economy vulnerable to shocks".

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,399.73 +27.40 +0.43%

DAX 8,940.14 +53.18 +0.60%

CAC 40 4,105.09 +23.85 +0.58%

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

U.S. stock futures were little changed as investors weighed corporate results from Yahoo! Inc. to Boeing Co. and data showing the cost of living barely rose last month.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,195.77 +391.49 +2.64%

Hang Seng 23,403.97 +315.39 +1.37%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.55 -13.10 -0.56%

FTSE 6,391.26 +18.93 +0.30%

CAC 4,097.93 +16.69 +0.41%

DAX 8,934.97 +48.01 +0.54%

Crude oil $82.87 (+0.46%)

Gold $1248.40 (-0.27%)

Upgrades:

Yahoo! (YHOO) upgraded from Mkt Perform to Outperform at FBR Capital, target raised from $40 to $50

Downgrades:

Coca-Cola (KO) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Societe Generale

Other:

Stock indices traded little changed, markets still supported by speculation for additional stimulus measures by the European Central Bank. Reuters reported yesterday 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.

Market participants are awaiting some corporate earnings reports today.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its minutes of the monetary policy committee meeting today. Two members, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale, voted for the third consecutive month to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5%.

Seven of the nine MPC members voted to keep interest rate at 0.5%.

The tone of minutes was bearish. The BoE said that there was a slight loss of momentum in September, and it expects that GDP growth in the fourth quarter would slow to 0.8%.

The central bank pointed out that interest rate hike "might leave the economy vulnerable to shocks".

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,364.88 -7.45 -0.12%

DAX 8,900.04 +13.08 +0.15%

CAC 40 4,080.98 -0.26 -0.01%

Most Asian stock indices closed higher, following gains on Wall Street. Markets were supported by speculation the European Central Bank may add new stimulus measures. Reuters reported yesterday 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.

Japan's adjusted trade deficit widened to ¥1,070.14 billion in September from a deficit of ¥912.40 billion in August. August's figure was revised up from a deficit of ¥924.40 billion. Analysts had expected a deficit of ¥910.0 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,195.77 +391.49 +2.64%

Hang Seng 23,403.97 +315.39 +1.37%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.55 -13.10 -0.56%