Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 23-02-2012.

Resistance 3:1373 (high of 2011)

Resistance 2:1368 (Feb 20-21 highs)

Resistance 1:1361 (session high)

Current price: 1354,50

Support 1:1351 (session low, 50.0 % FIBO 1334-1368)

Support 2:1347 (61.8 % FIBO 1334-1368)

Support 3:1334 (Feb 10 and 16 lows)

U.S. stock futures rose as jobless claims held at a four-year low and after German business confidence climbed more than economists forecast. Stock futures maintained gains as applications for jobless benefits were unchanged in the week ended Feb. 18 at 351,000, the fewest since March 2008, Labor Department figures showed today.

German business confidence rose more than economists forecast to a seven-month high in February as Europe’s largest economy bucks a recession that’s gripping the region’s southern fringe.

Global stocks:

Nikkei  9,595.57 +41.57 +0.44%

Hang Seng 21,380.99 -168.29 -0.78%

Shanghai Composite 2,409.55 +5.97 +0.25%

FTSE  5,935.19 +18.64 +0.32%

CAC  3,451.33 +3.96 +0.11%

DAX 6,816.88 -26.99 -0.39%

Crude oil: $106.25 (-0,1%).

Gold: $1782.50 (+0,6%).

Revenue of $30B (-7% Y/Y) misses by $700M. Company expects FQ2 EPS of $0.88-$0.91, below $0.95 consensus. Guidance for FY12 EPS of $4, below $4.08 consensus. Shares of HPQ -3.49% to $27.84.

Asian stocks declined as sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. trailed estimates and on speculation China’s Premier Wen Jiabao will lower the target for economic growth this year.

Nikkei 225 9,595.57 +41.57 +0.44%

Hang Seng 21,380.99 -168.29 -0.78%

S&P/ASX 200 4,286.19 -6.93 -0.16%

Shanghai Composite 2,409.55 +5.97 +0.25%

Datang International Power Generation Co., a mainland utility, slid 1 percent in Hong Kong.

Samsung Electronics Co. dropped 3.1 percent in Seoul, leading technology stocks lower after Hewlett-Packard Co. forecast profit that missed estimates.

Mazda Motor Corp. sank 6.8 percent after Japan’s least profitable major carmaker said it plans to sell as much as 162.8 billion yen ($2 billion) in new shares.

The dollar held gains against most major counterparts on concern oil prices near a nine-month high will restrain global growth, increasing demand for haven assets. Oil prices reached a nine-month high yesterday as International Atomic Energy Agency officials were denied access to an Iranian military base and said negotiations over the country’s nuclear program “couldn’t finalize a way forward.”

The yen gained against 13 of 16 major peers as Asian stocks extended a global decline in equities.

The euro halted five days of gains against the yen after the Institute of International Finance said in its February Global Economic Monitor that an orderly resolution of the Greek debt crisis “remains a key challenge.” There is the “risk of a subsequent debt restructuring,” following the pending private-sector involvement deal, according to the IIF, which has been negotiating on behalf of private creditors in talks with Greece. Greece and reached an accord for greater debt relief from investor representatives in an exchange offer to tide the nation past a bond redemption next month. Greece’s government agreed to fiscal measures, a voluntary debt swap known as private-sector involvement, and collective action clauses for bonds. Legislation needed to carry out those measures was submitted to lawmakers and posted on the Greek Parliament’s website.

EUR/USD: during the Asian session the pair traded with increase.

GBP/USD: during the Asian session the pair rose, restoring yesterday's losses.

USD/JPY: during the Asian session the pair has fallen.

An early start for a fairly light calendar Thursday, when, at 0700GMT, the German Finance Ministry releases its monthly fiscal and economic report, in Berlin. Also Thursday, the ECB holds its mid-month meeting of the Governing Council, in Frankfurt, although no policy

announcements are expected.

Resistance 3: Y82.20 (high of May)

Resistance 2: Y81.50 (high of July)

Resistance 1: Y80.40/50 (session high, Feb 20 high, high of August)

The current price: Y80.17

Support 1: Y79.90 (Feb 20-21 lows)

Support 2: Y79.35 (Feb 20 low)

Support 3: Y78.65/75 (area of Feb 16-17 lows)

Resistance 3 : $1.5765 (50.0% FIBO $1.5645-$1.5870, MA (233) H1)

Resistance 2 : $1.5735 (Feb 15 high)

Resistance 1 : $1.5695 (high of the American session on Feb 22)

The current price: $1.5671

Support 1 : $1.5650 (session low)

Support 2 : $1.5600 (psychological level)

Support 3 : $1.5530 (Jan 25 low)