Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 28-02-2013.

European (SXXP) stocks climbed, with the benchmark index rising for a ninth straight month, as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke signaled they would maintain monetary support.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 1 percent to 289.94 at the close of trading, extending its advance this month to 1 percent, for its longest monthly winning streak since 1997.

A Labor Department report showed that fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week. Initial jobless claims fell by 22,000 to 344,000 in the week ended Feb. 23, compared with the median forecast of economists that called for 361,000.

The U.S. economy managed to barely expand in the fourth quarter. Gross domestic product grew at a 0.1 percent annual rate, up from a previously estimated 0.1 percent drop, revised figures from the Commerce Department showed today in Washington. The median forecast of economists called for a 0.5 percent gain.

National benchmark indexes rose in all of the 18 western- European markets except Portugal today.

FTSE 100 6,360.81 +34.93 +0.55% CAC 40 3,723 +31.51 +0.85% DAX 7,741.7 +65.87 +0.86%

Bayer increased 2.7 percent to 75.86 euros after saying sales will rise to about 41 billion euros ($53.9 billion) this year. Fourth-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and special items increased 18 percent to 1.83 billion euros from 1.54 billion euros a year earlier, in line with analysts’ estimates.

Telefonica (TEF) added 20 cents to 10 euros after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates as sales growth in Latin America helped to offset revenue declines in its domestic market. Operating income before depreciation and amortization fell 8.6 percent to 5.45 billion euros, compared with projections for 5.44 billion euros.

HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) gained 0.9 percent to 731.4 pence. Europe’s largest bank by market value may say pretax profit in 2012 rose 7.4 percent to $23.5 billion when it reports earnings on March 4.

Standard Chartered Plc (STAN) may say pretax profit last year climbed to $7.12 billion from $6.78 billion, according to the median estimate of analysts. The stock increased 1.2 percent to 1,796 pence.

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) rallied 7.9 percent to 239.2 pence, its highest price since July 26, 2011. Europe’s third-largest carrier had a full-year operating loss of 23 million euros, excluding one-time items, compared with a 485 million-euro profit a year earlier. Analysts had expected an 88 million-euro loss.

U.S. stock-index futures remained little changed after government data showed gross domestic product grew less than economists forecast at the end of 2012 while jobless claims decreased more than estimated last week.

Global Stocks:

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) was reiterated at “Mkt Perform” at FBR Capital, target raised from $43 to $46

European stocks climbed, with the benchmark index heading for its ninth straight monthly gain, as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke signaled they would maintain monetary support measures.

Draghi signaled the bank has no intention of tightening monetary policy anytime soon with inflation projected to “significantly” undershoot its 2 percent target next year.

While the ECB’s balance sheet may shrink naturally as confidence returns to financial markets and banks repay emergency loans, policy makers are far from considering an exit from monetary stimulus, Draghi said at an event in Munich late yesterday.

Bernanke yesterday defended record stimulus to Congress, saying accommodation has helped reduce borrowing costs and spur growth. He also said the central bank may decide to hold bonds on its $3.1 trillion balance sheet to maturity as part of a review of its strategy for an exit from record monetary easing.

Italy is headed for a broad coalition government as bondholders pressure Pier Luigi Bersani and Silvio Berlusconi to set aside their rivalries and form a partnership, said Finance Undersecretary Gianfranco Polillo.

Bayer increased 2.4 percent to 75.60 euros after saying sales will rise to about 41 billion euros ($53.9 billion) this year. Fourth-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and special items increased 18 percent to 1.83 billion euros from 1.54 billion euros a year earlier, in line with analysts’ estimates.

Telefonica added 21 cents to 10.01 euros after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates as sales growth in Latin America helped to offset revenue declines in its domestic market. Operating income before depreciation and amortization fell 8.6 percent to 5.45 billion euros, compared with projections for 5.44 billion euros.

FTSE 100 6,338.2 +12.32 +0.19%

CAC 40 3,702.68 +11.19 +0.30%

DAX 7,726.61 +50.78 +0.66%

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for its biggest jump in five months, after U.S. economic data bolstered confidence in the global recovery and as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated a new central bank governor.

Nikkei 225 11,559.36 +305.39 +2.71%

Hang Seng 23,020.27 +443.26 +1.96%

S&P/ASX 200 5,104.08 +67.49 +1.34%

Shanghai Composite 2,365.59 +52.37 +2.26%

Japan’s Nikkei 225 posted its longest monthly winning streak since 2006 amid speculation Abe’s nominee, Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda, will push for more monetary stimulus.

In Sydney, James Hardie Industries SE, a building-materials supplier that gets 67 percent of sales from the U.S., gained 3.2 percent.

New World Development Co., a Hong Kong builder controlled by billionaire Cheng Yu-tung, rose 3.6 percent after posting earnings that beat estimates.

Asian stocks outside Japan gained after U.S. housing and consumer confidence data beat estimates. Japanese shares fell as the yen rose ahead of an Italian bond sale, with yields surging after the nation’s deadlocked election stoked debt crisis concern.

Nikkei 225 11,253.9 -144.84 -1.27%

Hang Seng 22,577.01 +57.32 +0.25%

S&P/ASX 200 5,036.59 +33.03 +0.66%

Shanghai Composite 2,313.22 +19.88 +0.87%

Techtronic Industries Co., a power-tool maker that counts the U.S. as its biggest market, advanced 5.8 percent in Hong Kong.

Canon Inc., a Japanese camera maker that gets 29 percent of its sales in Europe, lost 2.7 percent.

European stocks climbed, rebounding from the lowest level in more than two weeks, as companies from European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. to Bouygues (EN) SA reported results that beat analysts’ estimates.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) gained 0.9 percent to 287.17 at the close of trading after earlier falling as much as 0.3 percent.

Economic confidence in the euro area increased more than economists forecast in February, adding to signs that the 17- nation currency bloc may be emerging from a recession.

In the U.S., orders for durable goods excluding transportation gear climbed in January by the most in a year. Bookings for equipment meant to last at least three years minus demand for things such as aircraft, which is often volatile, climbed 1.9 percent, exceeding the median forecast of economists and the most since December 2011, Commerce Department data showed. Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes climbed more than forecast.

National benchmark indexes climbed in 14 of the 18 western European markets.

FTSE 100 6,325.88 +55.44 +0.88% CAC 40 3,691.49 +69.57 +1.92% DAX 7,675.83 +78.72 +1.04%

EADS (EAD) advanced 6.5 percent to 37.14 euros, the highest price since the shares started trading in July 2000. The company reported a 68 percent gain in full-year earnings before interest, taxes and one-time items to 3 billion euros, beating the average analyst estimate of 2.57 billion euros.

Bouygues rallied 13 percent to 21.96 euros, the biggest jump since August 2011. France’s second-largest builder reported a 41 percent drop in 2012 profit to 633 million euros as its phone unit suffered from competition. That still beat the average analyst estimate of 584 million euros.

Swiss Life Holding AG (SLHN) jumped 8.7 percent to 151.90 francs, the largest increase since March 2009, as Switzerland’s biggest life insurer reported higher operating profit in its home market and France.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc (BPTY), the gambling company that has a partnership with Atlantic City’s top-grossing casino, soared 8.9 percent to 150 pence, after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation authorizing online gambling in the state.

Kabel Deutschland slid 2.55 euros to 67.03 euros after three people familiar with the matter said Vodafone put on hold plans to approach Kabel about a takeover bid after leaks of a potential offer complicated internal discussions.

Royal Imtech NV (IM) sank 11 percent to 8.65 euros, its lowest price since May 2005, after it announced a 500 million-euro rights offer to help cut debt.

U.S. stocks advanced, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average toward a five-year high

Equities rose as contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes climbed more than forecast in January, a sign the industry will keep strengthening this year. Orders for U.S. durable goods excluding transportation equipment climbed in January by the most in a year, indicating business investment is holding up.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank has the “tools” necessary to scale back record stimulus and avert a rise in inflation expectations, in congressional testimony that was identical to his remarks yesterday to the Senate Banking Committee.

American stocks also joined a rally in Europe as Italy sold 6.5 billion euros ($8.5 billion) of five- and 10-year bonds in its first auction following inconclusive election results that pushed yields to a four-month high yesterday.

Apple (AAPL) fell 0.5 percent to $446.73. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said he’s in “very, very active” talks about what to do with the company’s growing cash pile. Yet his comments were not enough to assuage investors seeking more clarity on his plans to return cash to shareholders.

Cook is being urged to return some of the $137.1 billion on Apple’s balance sheet to investors in the form of increased dividends, stock buybacks or new class of preferred shares. The calls have grown louder as the stock has fallen by about a third from a September peak amid concerns about slowing sales and profit growth. The CEO said he and other executives are “focused on the long term” and aren’t happy with the falling stock price.

All DOW components, except McDonald's Corp. (MCD, -0.44%) and Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ, -0.10%), ended session on positive territory. Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, +3.70%) advanced more than other components.

All sectors of the S&P closed in plus. Most growts showed sector of industrial goods (+1.9%)

On result of yesterdays session:

Dow +176.32 14,076.45 +1.27%

Nasdaq +32.61 3,162.26 +1.04%

S&P +19.09 1,516.03 +1.28%

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 11,253.9 -144.84 -1.27%

Hang Seng 22,577.01 +57.32 +0.25%

S&P/ASX 200 5,036.59 +33.03 +0.66%

Shanghai Composite 2,313.22 +19.88 +0.87%

CAC 40 3,691.49 +69.57 +1.92%

DAX 7,675.83 +78.72 +1.04%

Dow +176.32 14,076.45 +1.27%

Nasdaq +32.61 3,162.26 +1.04%

S&P +19.09 1,516.03 +1.28%