tawasl
عضو نشط
- التسجيل
- 19 ديسمبر 2003
- المشاركات
- 24
(2004/05/06 9:00AM)
TOP STORIES
US JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED
Initial jobless claims drop 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 315,000, their lowest level in three and a half years. Economists expected claims to slip by just 3,000. Report provides fresh evidence the labor market is rebounding after a three-year slump, ahead of Friday's key report on April payrolls.
US 1Q PRODUCTIVITY RISES 3.5%
Non-farm business productivity grows at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.5% in 1Q, up from a 2.5% rate during the 4Q of 2003. In year-on-year terms, the increase is 5.4%. Numbers match Wall Street's expectations precisely
WAL-MART APRIL SAME-STORE SALES RISE 4.4%
Says May comparable store sales will also rise 4%-6%. Total sales for four weeks to April 30 jump 11.7% to $20.77 billion. Wal-Mart same-store sales rise 3.6% for month, while Sam's Club's climb 8.3%. Rivals also post increases.
BANK OF ENGLAND UPS INTEREST RATE TO 4.25%
Raises key repurchasing rate by 25 basis points, as expected by analysts. Says it was responding to prospect of mounting inflationary pressures as retail spending remains strong and spare capacity is diminished.
NEWS CORP 3Q NET, REVENUE CLIMB
Earnings soar 69% to $465 million, or 32c a share, as revenue jumps 19% to $5.2 billion. News Corp. posts operating income of 31c a share for its fiscal 3Q ended March 31, Wall Street was expecting earnings of 27c a share.
FOX NET RISES 8%, REVENUE UP 5%
With double-digit gains in television units, posts fiscal 3Q net of $299 million, or 31c a share, with operating net before depreciation and amortization rising 21%. Wall Street expected EPS of 28c. Revenue rises 5% to $2.8 billion.
US CRUDE POISED TO HIT $40
Crude oil futures marched on into fresh 13-year highs with U.S. crude poised to hit $40 a barrel and no sign of the rally abating, brokers say. But many are now questioning whether fundamentals support prices at these levels.
ECHOSTAR SWINGS TO 1Q LOSS
Loses $43 million, or 9c a share, including charges of $78 million for the early redemption of bonds. Company's DISH Network adds about 360,000 new subscribers as revenue climbs 16% to $1.58 billion.
CLOROX 3Q NET UP 14%; BEATS STREET
Earnings rise to $126 million, or 59c a share, on a 6.6% increase in sales to $1.09 billion. Wall Street was expecting earnings of 56c a share. Clorox forecasts fiscal 2005 EPS $2.58-$2.66.
7 DEAD IN BAGHDAD CAR BOMB BLAST
Suicide attack at a checkpoint to the zone that houses U.S administrative offices in central Baghdad, kills six Iraqi civilians and one U.S. soldier, and injures 25 people including two U.S. soldiers and three Iraqi policemen.
WILLIAMS SWINGS TO 1Q PROFIT
Natural gas company says cost reductions outpace revenue decline, resulting in net of $9.9 million, or 2c a share, up from year-earlier loss of $1.59 a share, but below Wall Street's estimates of 8c a share. Revenue falls 36% to $3.11 billion.
MCDONALD'S CEO UNDERGOES CANCER SURGERY
Charlie Bell, who became chief executive after the sudden death of his predecessor two weeks ago, will retain his position while recuperating from a 'successful' surgery for colorectal cancer.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CEO DEFENDS STRATEGY
Under fire from angry shareholders and now facing some internal dissent, Jurgen Schrempp defends global strategy, saying an investment in Mitsubishi Motors is paying off and that he plans to stay at the company through 2008.
ALCAN 1Q OPERATING EARNINGS RISE 40%
Canadian aluminum maker earns US$184 million, or 50c a share, on operating basis, citing higher prices, improved product volumes and contributions from acquisitions. Sales and operating revenue more than double to $6.2 billion.
KING PHARMA REPORTS WEAKER 1Q
Withdraws its full-year earnings forecasts after posting a much wider 1Q loss of $111 million, or 46c a share. Revenue dips to $290.6 million from $338.4 million a year ago, and misses Wall Street expectations of $412.8 million.
CAREMARK 1Q NET UP 34%
Earned $84.2 million, or 29 cents a share, despite a $6.2 million expense for its AdvancePCS acquisition. Excluding items earns 32c a share, matching estimates. Revenue jumps 40% to $3 billion and company raises its full-year outlook.
ROXIO SWINGS TO 4Q LOSS
Napster's owner says higher restructuring charges combined with lower consumer software revenue pulls it into the red, but it expects loss of $6.6 million to match Wall Street forecasts.
GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE 1Q LOSS NARROWS
Shares plunge 19% in late trading after magazine publisher narrows loss to $39.8 million, or 9c a share, but cuts its estimate for rest of 2004, citing higher expenses as well as a challenging industry climate.
AT&T TO LAUNCH NEW WIRELESS BUSINESS
In situation bound to confuse millions of consumers, AT&T plans to launch its own wireless business -- using AT&T name -- just as Cingular Wireless closes its $41 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services this year.
BNP PARIBAS 1Q NET RISES 31%
Continuing U.S. economic recovery and improving equity markets help French bank post profit of $1.53 billion, firmly above analysts' forecasts of $1.2 billion. Shows growth across most divisions. Net banking income rises 2.6%.
SONY MAY POST OPERATING LOSS
Says higher costs may result in Sony posting a group operating loss in the April-June quarter, in a sign the struggling electronics giant may get off to a slow start as it aims for profit growth this fiscal year.
======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES =======
TALES OF THE TAPE
Perini Preferred Holders Feel Common
Construction services company has built quite a run over the past two years, but recent successes haven't filtered down to Perini's preferred shareholders, who haven't received a dividend payment since 1995.
BIG PICTURE
April Jobs To Settle Flash-In-Pan Doubt
Increase in March still subject to revision, but it would be unprecedented to result in only puny gain, writes John McAuley. There's virtually no chance of erasing gain altogether and data could well result in much larger increase.
============ U.S. MARKETS ACTION ===========
DJIA 10310.95 from Wednesday
NASDAQ 1957.26 from Wednesday
S&P 500 1121.53 from Wednesday
10-year T-note down 2/32 at 95 12/32 yield 4.592
NYMEX Spot Crude up $0.22 at $45.93/bbl
Dollar/Euro down 0.0006 at 1.2140
TOP STORIES
US JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED
Initial jobless claims drop 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 315,000, their lowest level in three and a half years. Economists expected claims to slip by just 3,000. Report provides fresh evidence the labor market is rebounding after a three-year slump, ahead of Friday's key report on April payrolls.
US 1Q PRODUCTIVITY RISES 3.5%
Non-farm business productivity grows at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.5% in 1Q, up from a 2.5% rate during the 4Q of 2003. In year-on-year terms, the increase is 5.4%. Numbers match Wall Street's expectations precisely
WAL-MART APRIL SAME-STORE SALES RISE 4.4%
Says May comparable store sales will also rise 4%-6%. Total sales for four weeks to April 30 jump 11.7% to $20.77 billion. Wal-Mart same-store sales rise 3.6% for month, while Sam's Club's climb 8.3%. Rivals also post increases.
BANK OF ENGLAND UPS INTEREST RATE TO 4.25%
Raises key repurchasing rate by 25 basis points, as expected by analysts. Says it was responding to prospect of mounting inflationary pressures as retail spending remains strong and spare capacity is diminished.
NEWS CORP 3Q NET, REVENUE CLIMB
Earnings soar 69% to $465 million, or 32c a share, as revenue jumps 19% to $5.2 billion. News Corp. posts operating income of 31c a share for its fiscal 3Q ended March 31, Wall Street was expecting earnings of 27c a share.
FOX NET RISES 8%, REVENUE UP 5%
With double-digit gains in television units, posts fiscal 3Q net of $299 million, or 31c a share, with operating net before depreciation and amortization rising 21%. Wall Street expected EPS of 28c. Revenue rises 5% to $2.8 billion.
US CRUDE POISED TO HIT $40
Crude oil futures marched on into fresh 13-year highs with U.S. crude poised to hit $40 a barrel and no sign of the rally abating, brokers say. But many are now questioning whether fundamentals support prices at these levels.
ECHOSTAR SWINGS TO 1Q LOSS
Loses $43 million, or 9c a share, including charges of $78 million for the early redemption of bonds. Company's DISH Network adds about 360,000 new subscribers as revenue climbs 16% to $1.58 billion.
CLOROX 3Q NET UP 14%; BEATS STREET
Earnings rise to $126 million, or 59c a share, on a 6.6% increase in sales to $1.09 billion. Wall Street was expecting earnings of 56c a share. Clorox forecasts fiscal 2005 EPS $2.58-$2.66.
7 DEAD IN BAGHDAD CAR BOMB BLAST
Suicide attack at a checkpoint to the zone that houses U.S administrative offices in central Baghdad, kills six Iraqi civilians and one U.S. soldier, and injures 25 people including two U.S. soldiers and three Iraqi policemen.
WILLIAMS SWINGS TO 1Q PROFIT
Natural gas company says cost reductions outpace revenue decline, resulting in net of $9.9 million, or 2c a share, up from year-earlier loss of $1.59 a share, but below Wall Street's estimates of 8c a share. Revenue falls 36% to $3.11 billion.
MCDONALD'S CEO UNDERGOES CANCER SURGERY
Charlie Bell, who became chief executive after the sudden death of his predecessor two weeks ago, will retain his position while recuperating from a 'successful' surgery for colorectal cancer.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CEO DEFENDS STRATEGY
Under fire from angry shareholders and now facing some internal dissent, Jurgen Schrempp defends global strategy, saying an investment in Mitsubishi Motors is paying off and that he plans to stay at the company through 2008.
ALCAN 1Q OPERATING EARNINGS RISE 40%
Canadian aluminum maker earns US$184 million, or 50c a share, on operating basis, citing higher prices, improved product volumes and contributions from acquisitions. Sales and operating revenue more than double to $6.2 billion.
KING PHARMA REPORTS WEAKER 1Q
Withdraws its full-year earnings forecasts after posting a much wider 1Q loss of $111 million, or 46c a share. Revenue dips to $290.6 million from $338.4 million a year ago, and misses Wall Street expectations of $412.8 million.
CAREMARK 1Q NET UP 34%
Earned $84.2 million, or 29 cents a share, despite a $6.2 million expense for its AdvancePCS acquisition. Excluding items earns 32c a share, matching estimates. Revenue jumps 40% to $3 billion and company raises its full-year outlook.
ROXIO SWINGS TO 4Q LOSS
Napster's owner says higher restructuring charges combined with lower consumer software revenue pulls it into the red, but it expects loss of $6.6 million to match Wall Street forecasts.
GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE 1Q LOSS NARROWS
Shares plunge 19% in late trading after magazine publisher narrows loss to $39.8 million, or 9c a share, but cuts its estimate for rest of 2004, citing higher expenses as well as a challenging industry climate.
AT&T TO LAUNCH NEW WIRELESS BUSINESS
In situation bound to confuse millions of consumers, AT&T plans to launch its own wireless business -- using AT&T name -- just as Cingular Wireless closes its $41 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services this year.
BNP PARIBAS 1Q NET RISES 31%
Continuing U.S. economic recovery and improving equity markets help French bank post profit of $1.53 billion, firmly above analysts' forecasts of $1.2 billion. Shows growth across most divisions. Net banking income rises 2.6%.
SONY MAY POST OPERATING LOSS
Says higher costs may result in Sony posting a group operating loss in the April-June quarter, in a sign the struggling electronics giant may get off to a slow start as it aims for profit growth this fiscal year.
======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES =======
TALES OF THE TAPE
Perini Preferred Holders Feel Common
Construction services company has built quite a run over the past two years, but recent successes haven't filtered down to Perini's preferred shareholders, who haven't received a dividend payment since 1995.
BIG PICTURE
April Jobs To Settle Flash-In-Pan Doubt
Increase in March still subject to revision, but it would be unprecedented to result in only puny gain, writes John McAuley. There's virtually no chance of erasing gain altogether and data could well result in much larger increase.
============ U.S. MARKETS ACTION ===========
DJIA 10310.95 from Wednesday
NASDAQ 1957.26 from Wednesday
S&P 500 1121.53 from Wednesday
10-year T-note down 2/32 at 95 12/32 yield 4.592
NYMEX Spot Crude up $0.22 at $45.93/bbl
Dollar/Euro down 0.0006 at 1.2140