Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 23-02-2015.

Most stock indices closed higher on Greek debt deal. Greece and the European Union agreed on Friday to extend Greek bailout programme by four months.

German Ifo business climate index rose to 106.8 in February from 106.7 in January, missing expectations for a rise to 107.4.

The Confederation of British Industry released its monthly Distributive Trades survey on Monday. The CBI retail sales balance dropped to 1% in February from 39% in January, missing expectations for an increase to 42%. That was the lowest level since November 2013.

The drop was largely driven by lower supermarkets and department stores sales.

Sales expectations for March declined to 27% from 42% in February.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,912.16 -3.04 -0.04 %

DAX 11,130.92 +80.28 +0.73 %

CAC 40 4,862.3 +31.40 +0.65 %

The National Association of Realtors released existing homes sales figures in the U.S. on Monday. Sales of existing homes fell 4.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.82 million in January from 5.07 million in December. That was the lowest level since April 2014.

December's figure was revised up from 5.04 million units.

Analysts had expected a decline to 5.03 million units.

The NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said that the labour market and economy support buyer demand.

Yun added that January data can be volatile.

U.S. stock-index futures are mixed after equity benchmark indexes capped a third weekly rally to close at all-time highs.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,466.92 +134.62 +0.73%

Hang Seng 24,836.76 +4.68 +0.02%

FTSE 6,895.89 -19.31 -0.28%

CAC 4,843.99 +13.09 +0.27%

DAX 11,100.99 +50.35 +0.46%

Crude oil $49.13 (-3.35%)

Gold $1200.60 (-0.36%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Boeing (BA) downgraded from Neutral to Sell at Goldman

Other:

Boeing (BA) target raised to $175 from $160 at Stifel

Intel (INTC) initiated at Outperform at Exane BNP Paribas, target $42

Today the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) published U.K's CBI Retail Sales Volume Balance with supermarkets and department stores reporting a massive slowdown in growth. The index slumped from a previous reading of 39 to 1 in February, missing expectations of a rise to 42. The reading far below estimates and the lowest reading since November 2013 is fuelling concerns over Britain's economy. The index value above zero implies sales growth, below means slowdown.

European stocks shed some of its early gains on Friday's deal between Greece and the European Union after German business climate came in below estimates - but still better than in the previous month. Eurozone's finance ministers agreed on extending Greece's international bailout under the condition that Greece has to submit a list of policy measures four the four months to come on Monday. The measures planned will have to be approved by the E.U.

Today data on Germany's business climate came in at 10:00 GMT rising to a 7-month high easing concerns over the health of Eurozone's biggest economy. The IFO - Business Climate for February rose from 106.7 in the previous month to 106.8 points, below expectations of an increase to 107.4. The IFO-Expectations came I at 102.5 from previous 102 points. Analysts expected an increase to 103.0. The IFO Current Assessment came in at 111.3, declining from previous 111.7 points. Analyst expected a reading of 112.7 points.

U.K's CBI Retail Sales Volume Balance slumped from a previous reading of 39 to 1 in February, missing expectations of a rise to 42. A positive reading of the index indicates higher sales volume, a reading below represents lower sales.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.38% quoted at 6,888.97 points further declining on dissapointig CBI Retail Sales data. Germany's DAX 30 added +0.23% trading at 11,076.19 retreating from a new all-time high hit earlier in the session. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,835.96 points, +0.10%.

Today data on German business climate came in at 10:00 GMT. The index rose to a 7-month high easing concerns over the health of Eurozone's biggest economy although being below expectations for a stronger increase. The IFO-index is based on a survey conducted by a munich-based research institute polling 7,000 German firms in the manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail sectors.

The IFO - Business Climate for February rose from 106.7 in the previous month to seasonally adjusted 106.8 points, below expectations of an increase to 107.4.

The IFO-Expectations, measuring business prospects came I at 102.5 from previous 102 points. Analysts expected an increase to 103.0.

The IFO Current Assessment came in at 111.3, declining from previous 111.7 points. Analyst expected a reading of 112.7 points.

European stocks added gains in early trading on Friday's deal between Greece and the European Union. Eurozone's finance ministers agreed on extending Greece's international bailout under the condition that Greece has to submit a list of policy measures four the four months to come on Monday. The measures planned will have to be approved by the E.U.

Today data on Germany's business climate came in at 10:00 GMT rising to a 7-month high easing concerns over the health of Eurozone's biggest economy. The IFO - Business Climate for February rose from 106.7 in the previous month to 106.8 points, below expectations of an increase to 107.4. The IFO-Expectations came I at 102.5 from previous 102 points. Analysts expected an increase to 103.0. The IFO Current Assessment came in at 111.3, declining from previous 111.7 points. Analyst expected a reading of 112.7 points.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.10% quoted at 6,908.63 points close to its all-time high at 6950.99. Markets await CBI Retail sales Volume Balance scheduled for 11:00 GMT. Germany's DAX 30 rose +0.77% trading at a new all-time high at 11,135.85. France's CAC 40 added +0.67%, currently trading at 4,863.25 points.

U.S. markets hit all-time highs reversing early losses on Greek bailout hopes as on late Friday Eurozone finance ministers and Greece agreed on a draft extending the countries international bailout for additional four months. Today Greece must submit a list with planned measures and the EU will judged whether the list is sufficient or not.

The DOW JONES index added +0.86% closing above the psychologically important threshold of 18,000 points at 18,140.44 points. The S&P 500 closed +0.61% with a final quote of 2,110.30 extending a record high hit Wednesday last week.

Chinese markets are closed today for a public holiday as the Lunar New year celebrations take place.

Japanese markets rose for a third day and closed at a fresh 15-year high in today's trading on the Greek debt deal to extend its bailout for further four months. Financials were amongst the losers as investors took profits after recent gains. The index rose despite some members of the BoJ questioned the massive pace of the quantitative easing program and said that the program might have to stop before reaching the 2% inflation target. The Nikkei added 134 points, closing +0.73% with a final quote of 18,466.92 points - the highest level since 2000.