Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 24-10-2014.

Stock indices closed lower, fears about the spread of the Ebola virus in the U.S. still weighed on markets. News said that a doctor who had worked in Africa had tested positive for the Ebola virus in New York City.

The European Central Bank will announce the results of stress tests on Sunday.

The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 8.5 in November from 8.4 in October, beating forecasts for a decline to 8.1. October's figure was revised up from 8.3.

Belgium's business climate index rose to -6.8 in October from -7.2 in September, beating expectations for a decline to -7.8.

The U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.7% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, after a 0.9% rise in the second quarter.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. GDP increased 3.0% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, after a 3.2% rise in the second quarter.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,388.73 -30.42 -0.47%

DAX 8,991.91 -55.40 -0.61%

CAC 40 4,128.9 -28.78 -0.69%

U.S. stock futures fell after a doctor in New York tested positive for Ebola and investors weighed earnings from companies including Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,291.64 +152.68 +1.01%

Hang Seng 23,302.2 -30.98 -0.13%

Shanghai Composite 2,302.28 -0.14 -0.01%

FTSE 6,383.27 -35.88 -0.56%

CAC 4,122.53 -35.15 -0.85%

DAX 8,998.27 -49.04 -0.54%

Crude oil $81.22 (-1.06%)

Gold $1233.60 (+0.38%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Microsoft (MSFT) target raised to $55 from $50 at Credit Suisse, to $53 from $51 at FBR Capital

Visa (V) target lowered to $250 from $270 at Oppenheimer

Amazon.com (AMZN) target lowered to $372 from $415 at Oppenheimer, to $420 from $435 at RBC Capital Mkts, to $350 from $395 at Topeka Capital Markets

Stock indices traded lower on fears about the spread of the Ebola virus in the U.S. News said that a doctor who had worked in Africa had tested positive for the Ebola virus in New York City.

The European Central Bank will announce the results of stress tests on Sunday.

The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 8.5 in November from 8.4 in October, beating forecasts for a decline to 8.1. October's figure was revised up from 8.3.

The U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.7% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, after a 0.9% rise in the second quarter.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. GDP increased 3.0% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, after a 3.2% rise in the second quarter.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,396.92 -22.23 -0.35%

DAX 9,012.73 -34.58 -0.38%

CAC 40 4,134.01 -23.67 -0.57%

Asian stock indices closed lower despite gains on the Wall Street and the strong PMI from Eurozone.

The better-than-expected corporate earnings reports of the U.S. companies led to gains on the Wall Street.

Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 50.7 in October from 50.3 in September, beating expectations for a decline to 50.0.

Eurozone's preliminary services PMI remained unchanged at 52.4 in October, beating forecasts of a decrease to 52.0.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,291.64 +152.68 +1.01%

Hang Seng 23,302.2 -30.98 -0.13%

Shanghai Composite 2,302.28 -0.14 -0.01%