Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 24-08-2012.

European stocks were little changed, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index posting its first weekly drop since June, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece must stick to its commitments to stay in the euro area, and a news report said the European Central Bank is considering setting yield band targets.

A gauge of mining companies was among the main losers, with Rio Tinto Group slumping 1.6 percent and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) sliding 1.4 percent. NKT Holding (NKT) A/S tumbled 9 percent after the maker of cables and industrial vacuum cleaners reported second- quarter sales that missed estimates. Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) rallied 4.2 percent.

The Stoxx 600 added 0.1 percent to 268.0 in London after earlier falling as much as 0.6 percent. European stocks posted a 1.8 percent drop this week, snapping 11 weeks of gains.

Stocks rebounded in the last half hour of trading after Reuters reported the ECB is considering setting yield band targets under a new bond-buying program. Reuters cited unnamed central bank people.

In the U.S., Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said there’s “scope for further action” by the central back to spur economic growth.

National benchmark indexes fell in nine of the 18 western European markets.

FTSE 100 5,776.6 0.00 0.00% CAC 40 3,433.21 +0.65 +0.02% DAX 6,971.07 +21.50 +0.31%

Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton retreated 1.6 percent to 2,910 pence and 1.4 percent to 1,933 pence, respectively. Anglo American Plc (AAL) dropped 2.9 percent to 1,885 pence.

Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) decreased 3.6 percent to 338.9 pence after ING Groep NV said the producer of metals in Kazakhstan may need to consider selling some assets or raise capital via new equity, citing its rapidly escalating debt burden as a key concern.

NKT Holding tumbled 9 percent to 191.10 kroner after the maker of cables and industrial vacuum cleaners reported second- quarter sales of 3.9 billion kroner ($667 million), missing analysts’ estimates of 4.15 billion kroner. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were 229 million kroner, below the 300 million-kroner analyst projection.

Ashmore Group Plc retreated 4.3 percent to 331.5 pence after Haley Tam, an analyst at Citigroup Inc. cut the U.K. fund manager to sell from neutral.

Nokia jumped 4.2 percent to 2.49 euros, for an eighth consecutive day of gains.

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ABI), the world’s biggest brewer, rose 1.9 percent to 65.40 euros, following a gauge of European (SXXP) food and beverage shares higher. Chief Strategy Officer Jo Van Biesbroeck bought 200,000 shares for 13.1 million euros on Aug. 17, according to regulatory filings.

Danone (BN) SA, the world’s largest yogurt maker, gained 1.4 percent to 51.01 euros, while Marine Harvest ASA (MHG), the world’s biggest salmon farmer, climbed 3.9 percent to 4.51 kroner as investors bought the stock in anticipation of increased fish prices.

U.S. stock futures fell on concern grew over Europe’s debt crisis.
Futures decline amid investor concern that the euro area’s leaders aren’t making progress in solving the region’s debt crisis.
Merkel said at a joint press conference with Samaras that Germany is ready to help the Greek government as it takes the necessary steps to resolve his country’s economic woes. Samaras will go to Paris for a meeting with French President Francois Hollande tomorrow after concluding his visit to Berlin today.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei  9,070.76 -107.36 -1.17%
Hang Seng 19,880.03 -252.21 -1.25%
Shanghai Composite 2,092.1 -20.97 -0.99%
FTSE  5,750.63 -25.97 -0.45%
CAC  3,403.69 -28.87 -0.84%
DAX 6,902.65 -46.92 -0.68%
Crude oil $96.01 -0,27%
Gold $1670.90 -0.11%

European  stocks were little changed before meetings between German, French and Greek leaders to discuss Greece’s second bailout program. Asian stocks fell, while U.S. index futures were little changed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she and French President Francois Hollande will coordinate on their approach to Greece to keep pressure on the country at the heart of Europe’s debt crisis to overhaul its economy.

Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton retreated 3.2% and 1.9% respectively.

NKT Holding tumbled 7.8% after company reported second- quarter sales was below consensus.

Asian-Pacific stocks fell on signs of slower growth in the U.S. and China and amid concern Europe’s leaders aren’t making progress in solving the region’s debt crisis.

On result of today’s session:

Nikkei  9,070.76 -107.36 -1.17%

Hang Seng 19,880.03 -252.21 -1.25%

Shanghai Composite 2,092.1 -20.97 -0.99%

S&P/ASX  4,349 -34.71 -0.79%

Shares of Nissan Motor Co. fell 1.5%. Shares of Aluminum Corp. of China fell 1.8%. Shares of Makita Corp. fell 1.1%.

Asian stocks advanced, with the region’s benchmark index set for its highest close since May, on speculation central banks in the U.S. and China will ease monetary policy amid signs growth is slowing.

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 9,178.12 +46.38 +0.51%

S&P/ASX 200 4,383.7 +7.66 +0.17%

Shanghai Composite 2,113.12 +5.40 +0.26%

FTSE 100 +2.40 +0.04%
CAC 40 3,432.56 -29.09 -0.84%
DAX 6,949.57 -68.18 -0.97%
Dow 13,057.77 -114.99 -0.87%
Nasdaq 3,053.40 -20.27 -0.66%
S&P 500 1,402.15 -11.34 -0.80%