Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 28-08-2012.

European (SXXP) stocks declined to a three- week low, snapping two days of gains, as the Spanish region of Catalonia asked for a bailout from the central government and Japan lowered an assessment of its economy.

G4S Plc (GFS) dropped 2 percent after the security company said that first-half profit slumped 73 percent. Banco Santander SA (SAN) slipped. Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) surged 19 percent after saying it has started talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. over possible cooperation.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 0.7 percent to 267.32 at the close, its lowest level since Aug. 6.

Spain’s Catalonia region said it will ask for a 5 billion- euro ($6.3 billion) loan from the country’s central government. The Spanish cabinet approved a fund of as much as 18 billion euros on July 13 to help the most indebted regional governments manage their financial deficits.

Japan’s government downgraded its view on personal consumption, housebuilding, exports, imports and industrial output in the world’s third-largest economy. It also lowered its assessment of the global economy.

Of the 314 companies listed on the Stoxx 600 that have reported first-half net income, 183 have exceeded analysts’ estimates, while 125 have missed them, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

National benchmark indexes retreated in every western- European market today, except for Iceland and Portugal.

FTSE 100 5,775.71 -0.89 -0.02% CAC 40 3,431.55 -31.28 -0.90% DAX 7,002.68 -44.77 -0.64%

G4S retreated 2 percent to 261 pence. Net income fell to 29 million pounds ($46 million) from 108 million pounds a year earlier after failing to fulfill a staffing contract for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Spanish lenders dragged a gauge of European banks lower. Santander slipped 0.8 percent to 5.57 euros. Banco de Sabadell SA (SAB) fell 0.8 percent to 2.10 euros, while Bankia SA (BKIA), which was nationalized earlier this year, lost 4.2 percent to 1.17 euros.

Vestas jumped 19 percent to 40.19 kroner, its highest price in three months. Speculation that the world’s largest turbine maker may be a bid target rose after the Sunday Times said on July 1 that the company may put itself up for sale.

Ipsen SA (IPN) gained 5 percent to 19.49 euros after reporting first-half sales of 630 million euros, exceeding the average analyst estimate of 607 million euros.

CFAO SA (CFAO) advanced 1.5 percent to 37.45 euros after Toyota Tsusho Corp. offered to buy 70 percent of the French company’s shares for 1.62 billion euros. Toyota Tsusho, the trading arm of Japan’s largest carmaker, already owns 30 percent of CFAO.

U.S. stock futures fell amid concern about a worsening of Europe’s debt crisis and as Japan pared its assessment of the economy.
Global Stocks:
Nikkei  9,033.29 -52.10 -0.57%
Hang Seng 19,811.8 +13.13 +0.07%
Shanghai Composite 2,073.15 +17.45 +0.85%
FTSE  5,751.15 -25.45 -0.44%
CAC  3,423.51 -39.32 -1.14%
DAX 6,982.61 -64.84 -0.92%
Crude oil $95.98 +0,53%
Gold $1667.30 -0.50%

European stocks fell after Japan for the first 10 months of lowered its estimate of the economy, which is the third largest in the world. Against this background, U.S. index futures little changed, while Asian shares fell.

The Government of Japan downgraded its view on private consumption, housing, exports, imports and industrial production. It also lowered its estimate of the global economy.

Shares of G4S Plc (GFS) fell 2.1% after the security company said that first-half profit fell by 73%. Lamprell Plc (LAM) lost 1.1%, after it became known that the company posted a loss for the first six months of this year. Shares of Vestas Wind Systems A / S (VWS) rose 17% after it started talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries about a possible collaboration.

Also today, the market expects to publish the index of consumer confidence in the U.S., which is likely to show the best value since April. It is expected that the August figure will grow to 66, versus 65.9 last month.

FTSE 100 5,777.82 +1.22 +0.02%

CAC 40 3,445.99 -16.84 -0.49%

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading for a three-week low, after Japan downgraded its assessment of the world’s third-biggest economy and as investors await indications of policy direction from the Federal Reserve. Nikkei 225 9,033.29 -52.10 -0.57% S&P/ASX 200 4,359.4 +15.70 +0.36% Shanghai Composite 2,073.45 +17.74 +0.86% China Southern Airlines Co. fell 3.6 percent in Hong Kong as Asia’s biggest carrier by passenger numbers reported first- half profit tumbled. Shikoku Electric Power Co. sank 10 percent in Tokyo after Credit Suisse Group AG rated the stock underperform. Aozora Bank Ltd. surged 14 percent after the Japanese lender unveiled a plan to repay a taxpayer bailout and buy back common stock.

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading for a second day of decline, as a drop in profits at Chinese industrial companies offset optimism policy makers around world will move to boost growth.

Nikkei 225 9,085.39 +14.63 +0.16%

S&P/ASX 200 4,343.7 -5.30 -0.12%

Shanghai Composite -36.40 -1.74%

Jiangxi Copper Co., China’s biggest supplier of the metal, slid 1.9 percent in Hong Kong.

Samsung Electronics Co. slumped 7.5 percent in Seoul after a U.S. jury ruled that the world’s No. 1 maker of smartphones infringed Apple Inc. (AAPL) patents.

Olympus Corp., the world’s largest manufacture of endoscopes, rose 4.4 percent in Tokyo after agreeing to sell unit ITX Corp.’s telecommunications business for 53 billion yen ($673 million).

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 9,085.39 +14.63 +0.16%

S&P/ASX 200 4,343.7 -5.30 -0.12%

Shanghai Composite -36.40 -1.74%