International Markets
- Bond insurer news lifts US Market
- IBM acts as the catalyst for US Market
Bond insurer news lifts US Market
In spite of opening modestly higher in the morning, US Market ended the day with sufficient gains as indices rallied in the final hour of trading today, Monday, 25 February, 2008. In the last hour of trading, a rally was spurred by news that Standard & Poor's has reaffirmed the credit ratings of two key bond insurers whose financial outlook has been at the center of investor anxiety in recent months. Each of the major economic sectors ended trading in positive territory, with materials posting the highest relative gain.
The Dow Jones industrial Average ended the day with a gain of 189 points at 12,570. The Nasdaq Composite Index, finished higher by 24 points at 2,327. S&P 500 finished higher by 18.7 points at 1,371.
Twenty-nine of thirty Dow stocks ended in the green today. Exxon Mobil and Home Depot were the main Dow winners today. Citigroup was the sole Dow laggard.
The day started off on a positive note despite no economic news. Existing home sales for January came in at an annualized rate of 4.89 million, which marks a decline of 0.4% month-over-month, but the lowest sales pace in ten years. Market expected 4.80 million sales, a decrease of 1.8% month-over-month. The median price of an existing home fell to $201,100, a 4.6% decrease from last year.
Then in the post lunch hours it was reported that Standard & Poor's took MBIA off CreditWatch and assigned a negative outlook. Additionally, the ratings agency affirmed the 'AAA' financial strength rating of Ambac Financial. Shares of MBIA and Ambac rose 20% and 16% respectively.
Crude prices rose today as fresh tensions again cropped up in the Middle East and cold weather continued to affect parts of US. But the rise in price was restricted due to the ongoing concerns about the health of the US economy.
Crude-oil futures for light sweet crude for April delivery today closed at $99.23/barrel (higher by $0.42/barrel or 0.4%) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier in the session, the April contract it a low of $97.75 and a high of $99.7 a barrel.
In the earnings section, home improvement retailer Lowe's issued earnings guidance that fell short of expectations. It did, however, report fourth quarter earnings that topped expectations.
Volume on the New York Stock Exchange topped 1.5 billion, and advancers outran declining stocks about 3 to 1. On the Nasdaq, 1 billion shares exchanged hands, and advancing stocks edged ahead of those declining nearly 2 to 1.
Tomorrow there are economic reports on the dock. A couple of earning reports are expected. The January Producer Price Index and January New Home Sales report will hit the wires. Other than that, Target and Home Depot will announce their earning reports.
IBM acts as the catalyst for US Market
US Market ignored the weak economic data today, Tuesday, 25 February, 2008 but focused more on IBM and bond insurers news and ultimately ended the day with good gains. News of buyback from IBM offsets the weak consumer sentiments today. All ten of the major economic sectors finished the day for the better. Energy made the best showing after crude prices hit a new intraday high.
The Dow Jones industrial Average ended the day with a gain of 115 points at 12,685. The Nasdaq Composite Index, finished higher by 17 points at 2,345. S&P 500 finished higher by 10 points at 1,381.
Twenty-three out of thirty Dow stocks ended in the green today, led by IBM.
IBM stock was up nearly 4% today after the tech giant raised its 2008 earnings forecast due to the positive impact of a $15 billion stock buyback plan.
Earlier in the day, market opened in a negative note. The slight selling pressure was fueled by a higher than expected inflation reading. January Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 1% month-over-month, compared to the expected rise of 0.4%. Excluding food and energy, PPI rose 0.4% month-over-month, higher than the consensus estimate that called for a rise of 0.2%.
Also, the Conference Board said that February consumer confidence fell to 75 from the prior reading of 87.3. Economists expected a reading of 82. Separately, the Richmond Fed manufacturing index, a regional manufacturing survey, fell to -5. Economists expected a reading of -12. A reading below 0 reflects contraction in manufacturing in that region.
But with the impact of IBM news, market reversed gear and traded in the green for the rest of the day.
Crude prices rose today as cold weather continued to grip parts of North East and Mid West USA. Dropping dollar against euro also pushed crude prices also higher prompting traders to invest in commodities against a hedge against inflation. Crude-oil futures for light sweet crude for April delivery today closed at $100.88/barrel (higher by $1.65/barrel or 1.7%) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the highest close since trading began in 1983. Earlier in the session, the April contract touched a high of $101.06/barrel.
In the earnings section, Target pointed to a weakening economy as its fourth-quarter earnings fell. Home Depot also reported a 27.5% profit decline. Home Depot expects 2008 adjusted earnings per share to slide as much as 24% on a 5% sales drop.
Volume on the New York Stock Exchange topped 1.5 billion, and advancing stocks passed decliners more than 2 to 1. On the Nasdaq, more than 1 billion shares traded, with advancing issues outrunning those declining, 9 to 5.
Tomorrow there are economic reports on the dock. Durable Goods Orders for January are due tomorrow morning followed by the January New Home Sales reading. Federal Chairman Bernanke will speak to the Financial Services Committee for his semiannual monetary policy testimony also tomorrow morning.
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