Overnight Developments

• European stocks are lower with the European DJ Stoxx 50 down -0.03% and Dec S&Ps down -2.60 points. The euro retreated from a 1-week high against the dollar and Treasuries strengthened after German investor confidence tumbled. The Sep German ZEW economic sentiment survey fell for the fifth consecutive month and by a larger-than-expected -18.3 to a 19-month low of -4.3 as budget cuts across the Euro-Zone and slowing global growth clouded the outlook for Europe’s largest economy. Declines in utility stocks also pressured stock prices with E.ON sliding 3.0% after Germany’s biggest utility was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at UniCredit SpA, which cited uncertainty on nuclear power plant extensions. Aug UK consumer prices unexpectedly rose +3.1% y/y, the same pace as July, and the sixth straight month prices have exceeded the government’s 3.0% limit as higher costs from airfare to food stoked price pressures.
• The Asian markets today closed mixed with Japan down -0.24%, Hong Kong +0.17%, China +0.09%, Taiwan +0.51%, Australia +0.25%, Singapore -0.59%, South Korea -0.15%, India +0.72%. Japanese stocks fell as the yen climbed to a fresh 15-year high against the dollar after Japanese Prime Minister Kan beat his rival Ozawa in a party vote today, reducing the likelihood the government will intervene in the foreign-exchange markets to weaken the yen. China’s yuan gained after the PBOC fixed the reference rate at 6.7378 per dollar, the highest since a peg against the dollar was scrapped in July 2005, on speculation the Chinese government will allow faster appreciation of the yuan to head off US trade sanctions. The action by the European Commission to raise its Euro-Zone GDP estimate yesterday for this year to 1.7% from 0.9% gave support to Asian equity markets on optimism that demand for Asian exports will remain strong. Asian bank stocks rallied for a second day after regulato rs agreed to give banks as long as 8 years to comply with new capital requirements and after Zhu Min, former deputy governor of the PBOC and current vice president of Bank of China Ltd. said that banks in Asia have high capital ratios and will be able to avoid the degree of fundraising needed elsewhere to meet the new international standards.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Dec S&Ps this morning are down -2.60 points. The stock market yesterday gapped higher and traded in positive territory the entire day and finished moderately higher (Dow +0.78%, S&P 500 +1.11%, Nasdaq Composite +1.93%). The Nasdaq rose to a 2-1/2 month high and the S&P 500 and the Dow both rallied to 1-month highs. Bullish factors included (1) carry-over support from stronger-than-expected Chinese economic data and comments from China’s Premier Wen Jiabao who said that China’s economy is in "good shape," which eases concern that the global economy will lapse back into recession, (2) a rally in bank stocks after the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision reached a compromise that doubles capital requirements for banks while giving them until 2019 to meet the buffer requirements to withstand future crisis, (3) carry-over strength from a rally in European equity markets after the European Commission raised its economic growth forecast for the Eur o-Zone this year to 1.7% instead of a previously projected 0.9%, (4) gains in raw-materials and energy producers as the slumping dollar pushed most commodities higher, with crude oil climbing to a 1-month high, (5) strength in chipmakers after research firm Gartner Inc. predicted that semiconductor equipment spending will double in 2010, (6) the smaller-than-expected US budget deficit in Aug as the economic recovery generated more tax revenue for the Treasury (-$90.5 billion versus expectations of -$100.0 billion), and (7) the prediction from CLSA Ltd. that US stock prices are "screamingly cheap" and will rally at least 30% in the next 12 months as the cheapest valuations in decades lure investors.
• Bearish factors included (1) the statement from IMF Managing Director Strauss-Kahn that the global economy may not generate much employment growth in coming years, and (2) the prediction from well-known bank analyst Richard Bove that legislators who don’t understand the banking industry and a sense of "mass hysteria" led to the passage of financial-reform law that will hurt US consumers.
• Campbell Soup (CPB) fell 2.3% in European trading after Goldman Sachs cut the stock to "sell" from "neutral" as they downgraded the packaged foods industry to "cautious" from "neutral," citing a mixed outlook for US sales, margin risks and valuations.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are weaker with the European DJ Stoxx 50 down -1.01% and Sep S&Ps down -4.20 points. The dollar and most commodities are lower while Treasuries and bunds are higher. European bank stocks are leading share prices lower with Raiffeisen International Bank Holding AG down 1.8% after the Austrian bank that operates in 17 former communist countries in eastern Europe reported Q2 net income of 71 million euros ($89.75 million), below analysts’ estimates of 99 million-euros. Eurobank Ergasias SA fell 3.1% as Greece’s second-largest lender said first-half profit fell after loan losses and taxes increased. Aug Euro-Zone inflation slowed to 1.6% y/y from 1.7% y/y in July, while the Aug Euro-Zone unemployment rate held at 10.0% for a fifth month, the highest in 12 years. In Germany, the number of people out of work declined -17,000 in Aug, its 14th consecutive month of declines, as the unemployment rate held steady at 7.6%. The German economy is leading Europe’s recovery as exports and investment surge, and may limit any slowdown in the Euro-Zone.
• The Asian markets today closed lower with Japan down -3.55%, Hong Kong -0.97%, China -0.41%, Taiwan -1.61%, Singapore -0.23%, South Korea -1.23%, India -0.34%. Asian stocks fell after slower-than-estimated growth in US personal income increased concern the economic recovery may falter. Japanese stocks tumbled despite an unexpected +0.3% m/m increase in Jul Japan industrial production and the larger-than-expected +0.7% m/m increase in Jul Japan retail sales. Stock prices in Japan remain under pressure on concern that the steps taken Monday by the BOJ and the government to halt the yen’s gain and boost economic growth will be insufficient. Q2 GDP in India expanded 8.8% annualized, its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years, which increases pressure on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to extend its recent string of interest rate hikes. The markets now expect another 25 bp rate hike by the RBI at its next meeting Sep 16 to cool inflation as India’s wholesale-price inflation has rem ained stubbornly around 10% since Jan.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Sep S&Ps this morning are down -4.20 points. The stock market yesterday opened lower and sold-off steadily the entire day and finished on its low (Dow -1.39%, S&P 500 -1.47%, Nasdaq Composite -1.56%). Bearish factors included (1) comments from the BOJ after its emergency meeting in which it expanded its bank loan program and said that "uncertainty" regarding the American economy is growing, (2) the weaker-than-expected Jul US personal income which fuels concern the economic rebound may slow further (+0.2% versus expectations of +0.3%), (3) the action by Morgan Stanley to cut its second-half GDP estimate for the US to between 2.0% and 2.5% from an earlier estimate of 3.0% to 3.5%, and (4) the action by Barclays Capital to reduce its year-end S&P 500 forecast to 1,120 from an earlier forecast of 1,220, saying "the market-implied probability of recession increases."
• Bullish factors included (1) carry-over strength from an early rally in European equities after Aug Euro-Zone economic confidence rose more-than-expected to its highest level in 2-1/2 years along with a rally in Asian shares after the BOJ expanded its bank-loan program, (2) the stronger-than-expected Jul US personal spending (+0.4% versus expectations of +0.3%), and (3) increased M&A activity after Sanofi-Aventis bid $18.5 billion for Genzyme, Intel agreed to buy Infineon Technologie’s wireless unit for $1.4 billion and 3M said it agreed to buy Cogent for $943 million.
• Ford Motor (F) slipped 2.1% in European trading on speculation that tomorrow’s US auto sales results will show that Aug sales this year were the slowest since 1982 as model-year closeout deals failed to entice customers.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are slightly higher with the European DJ Stoxx 50 up +0.09% and Sep S&Ps down -0.80 of a point. The dollar index is weaker and copper jumped to a 4-month high on speculation that central banks won’t allow the global economy to slide back into recession after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) expanded a bank-loan program and Fed Chairman Bernanke pledged last Friday to "do all that it can" to ensure a continuation of the economic recovery. European stocks also received a boost after Aug Euro-Zone economic confidence rose a more-than-expected +0.7 to 101.8, its highest level in 2-1/2 years, as a surge in exports help the Euro-Zone economy in Q2 to expand at its fastest pace in 4 years. An increase in M&A activity is another positive factor for stock prices today after Zodiac Aerospace jumped 13% after La Tribune reported that Safran SA is preparing another bid for Europe’s biggest maker of airplane seats, while Genzyme climbed 3.4% after Sano fi-Aventis SA offered to buy the world’s largest maker of medicines for genetic diseases for about $18.5 billion. On the negative side of M&A activity, Infineon Technologies AG, Europe’s second-largest semiconductor maker, slid 1.9% after Intel agreed to buy its wireless unit for about $1.4 billion, below the $1.9 billion Infineon was seeking.
• The Asian markets today closed higher with Japan up +1.76%, Hong Kong +0.68%, China +1.97%, Taiwan +0.24%, Australia +1.89%, Singapore +0.62%, South Korea +1.82%. India +0.19%. Japanese stocks rallied when the BOJ, at the conclusion of its emergency meeting in Tokyo, boosted its bank-loan program by 10 trillion yen ($118 billion) to 30 trillion yen as the yen’s surge to a 15-year high against the dollar threatens economic growth. The yen knee-jerked lower after the BOJ’s action, but soon strengthened on speculation the steps taken by the BOJ are insufficient to stem its strength. Even Prime Minister Kan’s announcement that the government will spend 920 billion yen ($10.8 billion) on economic stimulus and compile an extra budget if needed failed to stem the yen’s gains. Deutsche Bank AG recommends that investors sell Asian stocks before slowing earnings growth and a weakening global economy lead to further stock losses.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Sep S&Ps this morning are down -0.80. The stock market last Friday rebounded from an early drop to a 1-1/2 month low and finished sharply higher and on its high (Dow +1.65%, S&P 500 +1.66%, Nasdaq Composite +1.65%). Bullish factors included (1) the smaller-than-expected downward revision to Q2 US GDP (+1.6% annualized versus expectations of +1.4% annualized) as Q2 consumption was revised upward to +2.0% from +1.6%, and (2) comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke, which led a broad-based rally in raw materials and energy producers, when he said the Fed "will do all that it can" to ensure a continuation of the economic recovery and that the "preconditions" for growth in 2011 are "in place."
• Bearish factors included (1) the unexpected decline in the Aug US University of Michigan consumer confidence (-0.7 to 68.9 versus expectations of unchanged at 69.6), and (2) data from EPFR Global that said investors withdrew a net $7.1 billion from equity funds tracked worldwide in the week to Aug 25 and put $5.2 billion into bonds amid concern the economies in Europe and the US are losing momentum.
• Genzyme (GENZ) gained 3.8% in European trading after Sanofi-Aventis offered to buy the company for $18.5 billion in cash or $69 a share, taking its bid public after Genzyme refused to negotiate.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are little changed with the European DJ Stoxx 50 up +0.03% and Sep S&Ps are up +3.50 points. The market‘s attention is focused on speeches later today from Fed Chairman Bernanke and ECB President Trichet from the Fed’s annual symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Losses in European banks are undercutting European stock prices today with Banca Papolare di Milano down 5% after the Italian bank reported Q2 net income of 20.1 million euros, lower than analysts’ estimates of 41.6 million-euros, and Credit Suisse Group AG predicted that earnings estimates for 2010-12 will likely be revised down by 10 to 15% following the bank’s “very weak set of results.” Commerzbank AG slumped 2.6% after Handelsbatt said the bank plans to sell new shares as early as next month to pave the way for an exit by the German government. Limiting losses in European markets was the upward revision to Q2 UK GDP figures to +1.2% q/q and +1.7% y/y, higher than the initi al estimate of +1.1% q/q and +1.6% y/y, and shows the British economy expanding by its biggest amount since 2001.
• The Asian markets today closed mostly higher with Japan up +0.95%, Hong Kong -0.07%, China +0.30%, Taiwan +0.43%, Australia +0.32%, Singapore +0.44%, South Korea +0.06%, India -1.25%. Japanese stocks closed higher and the yen weakened against the dollar after Japanese Prime Minister Kan said the government is ready to take “bold” action in the currency market to stem the yen’s advance. Kan said he expects the BOJ to implement monetary policy “swiftly,” and that he plans on meeting with BOJ governor Shirakawa soon after he returns from the US. July Japan consumer prices excluding fresh food fell -1.1% y/y, their 17th consecutive monthly decline, while July Japan overall household spending rose +1.1% y/y, lower than expectations for a +1.5% y/y increase, and signals that Japan’s economic recovery may be faltering. On the bright side, Japan added 210,000 jobs in July from a month earlier, the most since Jan, while the unemployment dropped -0.1 to 5.2% , its first decline in 6 months as the job-to-applicant ratio rose to 0.53, meaning there are 53 job openings for every 100 job candidates, the most since March 2009.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Sep S&Ps this morning are up +3.50 points. The stock market yesterday fluctuated on both sides of unchanged until early afternoon when it ailed off into the close and finsihed just above its low (Dow -0.74%, S&P 500 -0.77%, Nasdaq Composite -1.07%). Bearish factors included (1) renewed concerns over Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis after El Economista reported that a Spanish court ruled Spain’s method of auditing sales tax was illegal and voided 5.1 billion euros ($6.48 billion) in value-added taxes collected in past years, which fuels concern about Spain’s fiscal stability, (2) concerns the US economic recovery is continuing to weaken after the Kansas City Fed said that manufacturing in its area slowed in Aug, with no companies reporting m/m increases, and (3) the prediction from Societe Generale that stocks are headed for their third bear market since 2000 as the global economy contracts and because “there is still too much hope” among investors t o suggest that stock prices will hit bottom any time soon.
• Bullish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected decline in weekly initial unemployment claims (-31,000 to 473,000 versus expectations of -10,000 to 490,000), (2) strength in raw materials and energy producers after a weak dollar prompted an advance in the prices of most commodities, and (3) the prediction from Kansas City Fed President Hoenig who said that he still expects the US economy to expand by about 3% this year, in line with his forecast from a month ago.
• J. Crew Group (JCG) fell 6.5% in pre-market trading after the clothing retailer cut its full-year earnings forecast to $2.35 a share at most, lower than a previous forecast of as much as $2.45.
• Omnivision Technologies (OVTI) dropped 4.1% in pre-market trading after the company reported Q1 sales of $193.1 million, below analysts’ extimates of $204.1 million.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are higher with the European DJ Stoxx 50 up +0.45% and Sep S&Ps up +1.00 point. Better-than-expected earnings results are leading European stocks higher as Credit Agricole, France’s largest bank by branches, jumped 3.8% after it reported Q2 net income of 279 million euros, beating analysts’ estimates of 318 million euros, while L’Oreal, the world’s biggest cosmetics maker, surged 6.6% after it reported first-half net income increased 21% from last year to 1.32 billion euros. Also boosting European stocks was the +0.1 point increase in the Sep German GfK consumer confidence survey to an 11-month high of 4.1 as stronger economic growth and declining unemployment in Germany boosted income expectations. Loan growth grew in Europe in July as the economic recovery gathered steam after the ECB reported a +0.9% y/y increase in loans to Euro-Zone households and companies in July, the fastest pace in 13 months, which suggests the economy may not lose as much momentum as some economists forecast.
• The Asian markets today closed mixed with Japan up +0.69%, Hong Kong -0.11%, China +0.25%, Taiwan -0.61%, Australia +0.83%, Singapore -0.02%, South Korea -0.27%, India +0.26%. Japanese exporters rallied and led Japanese stocks higher as the yen weakened against the dollar. The Asahi newspaper reported today that the Japanese government may ask the BOJ to ease monetary policy further as part of an economic stimulus package, while the Nikkei English news reported that Japanese Prime Minister Kan told business leaders he is in contact with the Finance Ministry and the central bank on the possibility of currency intervention. The yen has risen 15% this year and Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman Suzuki said the strengthening currency poses an “extremely grave” situation and will have a “very big impact” on profit.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Sep S&Ps this morning are up +1.00 point. The stock market yesterday sold off early but recovered its losses the rest of the session and finished higher (Dow +0.20%, S&P 500 +0.33%, Nasdaq Composite +0.84%). The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq all fell to 1-1/2 month lows but erased their losses and finished higher. Bullish factors included (1) speculation that the recent plunge in equity prices overshot the potential damage from a slowdown in the economy, (2) strength in homebuilders, despite the plunge in Jul new home sales to a record low, after Toll Brothers rallied when it unexpectedly reported its first quarterly profit since 2007 as writedowns declined, and (3) a supportive interest rate picture that keeps stock valuations low and benefits consumers and businesses after the yield on the 10-year T-note fell to a 1-1/2 year low of 2.42%.
• Bearish factors included (1) carry-over weakness from a fall in European stocks after S&P cut Ireland’s long-term sovereign credit rating one step to AA-, its lowest since 1995, and raised its estimate for recapitalizing the Irish banking system to as much as 50 billion euros ($63 billion) from a previous estimate of 35 billion euros, which renews concern over the European sovereign-debt crisis, (2) the weaker-than-expected Jul durable goods orders (+0.3% versus expectations of +3.0%), and the unexpected decline in Jul durable goods orders ex transportation which had its biggest drop in 1-1/2 years (-3.8% versus expectations of +0.5%), (3) the unexpected plunge in Jul new home sales which fell to their lowest level since records began in 1963 (-12.4% to 276,000 versus expectations of unchanged at 330,000), and (4) the unexpected decline in the Jun FHFA house price index (-0.3% m/m versus expectations of +0.1% m/m).
• Schlumberger (SLB), the world’s biggest oilfied-services contractor, rose 1% in European trading after crude oil prices gained.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are higher with the European DJ Stoxx 50 up +0.90% and Sep S&Ps up +5.50 points. An increase in M&A activity is boosting European and US stocks today with Old Mutual Plc up over 4% after it said it might sell 70% of its Nedbank Group Ltd. banking unit to HSBC Holdings. Metals producers are higher as well with gains of 2% for Rio Tinto Group and BHP Billiton Ltd. amid speculation that a proposed mining tax in Australia might be scrapped or diluted after Australia’s general election failed to deliver a majority government for the first time in 70 years. A negative factor for European stock prices is the larger-than-expected -0.6 point decline in the Aug Euro-Zone PMI composite to 56.1, which signals the pace of the recovery might have peaked.
• The Asian markets today closed mostly lower with Japan down -0.68%, Hong Kong -0.44%, China -0.07%, Taiwan +0.61%, Australia -0.04%, Singapore -0.36%, South Korea -0.42%, India +0.04%. The yen climbed to near a 1-3/4 month high against the euro and pressured Japanese stocks along with last Friday’s comments from ECB Council member Weber who said that the ECB should continue with its emergency funding measures until at least year-end, which fueled speculation about the sustainability of Europe’s economic recovery and its demand for Asian exports. Japanese Prime Minister Kan and BOJ Governor Shirakawa spoke today about the economy and the strength of the yen and the yen rallied after Chief Cabinet Secretary Dengoku said that there was "absolutely no" discussion of intervention in the currency markets to slow the yen’s rise against the dollar. On the positive side, Japan’s 3 major shipping companies closed higher after the Nikkei English news reported that the companies are considering increasing their earnings outlook for 2010 as they were able to increase shipping rates on some routes.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• Sep S&Ps this morning are up +5.50 points. The stock market last Friday traded in negative territory into early afternoon but then recovered into the close to finish mixed (Dow -0.56%, S&P 500 -0.37%, Nasdaq Composite +0.04%). The S&P 500 and the Dow posted 1-month lows. Bearish factors included (1) carry-over weakness from the slide in European stocks after the French government cut its GDP estimate for next year to 2.0% from 2.5% along with comments from ECB Council member Weber who said the ECB should keep its emergency funding measures in place through year-end along, which fueled speculation the global recovery may be faltering, (2) JPMorgan Chase’s cut in its US Q4 GDP forecast to 2.0% from 3.0%, (3) JPMorgan Chase’s cut in its GDP for China to +9.8% from 10% for 2010 and to 8.6% from 8.8% for 2011, citing a near-term "loss of momentum" in the US and global recoveries, and (4) the prediction from Strategic Research Partners that current combined profit estimates for 2011 S&P 500 companies’ of $96 a share is too optimistic and that profits will be only $87 a share as revenue growth trails forecasts in a slow recovery.
• Bullish factors included (1) comments from ECB Council member Honohan who said he sees a "stronger tone" to the European economy, which may help sustain the global economic recovery, (2) the prediction from HSBC Global Asset Management that global stocks stand a "decent chance" of a rally in Q4 as investors are "overly pessimistic" about the outlook for economic growth, and (3) the drop in the 10-year T-note yield to a 1-1/3 year low of 2.53%.
• Newmont Mining (NEM) rose 1% in European trading on speculation that BHP Billiton’s hostile takeover offer for Potash of Saskatchewan will increase other companies’ takeover attempts in the basic-resources industry.
• Cumberland Pharmaceuticals (CPIX) fell 2.4% in pre-marlet trading after the drugmaker said the FDA extended its review of its application for the use of the drug Acetadote in patients with acute liver failure.

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Overnight Developments

• European stocks are higher with the European Stoxx 50 up 0.55% after hitting a 3-month high. Sep S&Ps are up 5.70 points (+0.52%). European stocks received support from positive earnings reports from AstraZeneca and Volkswagen and from positive confidence and employment reports. The European Commission’s business and consumer confidence index rose to a 2-1/3 year high of 101.3 from 99 in June. Meanwhile, Germany unemployment fell by 20,000 to 3.21 million, which was the lowest level in 1-1/2 years and was the 13th consecutive monthly decline. The Germany unemployment rate fell to 7.6% from 7.7%. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde today said she expects a "serious pickup" in global growth in 2011, "if only because global trade has significantly improved." UBS upgraded European stocks to "neutral" from "underweight," cut U.S. stocks to "neutral," and cut Japanese stocks to "underweight."
• The Asian markets today closed mixed: Japan -0.59%, Hong Kong +0.01%, China +0.50%, Taiwan +0.18%, Australia -0.13%, Singapore +0.41%, South Korea -0.17%, Bombay +0.19%. Asian stocks were undercut by Wednesday’s U.S. Beige Book report, which suggested lackluster U.S. demand for Asian exports. Panasonic fell 7.7% today after news that the company would offer stock to help it purchase full control of its Sanyo Electric and Panasonic Electric Works units.

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Overnight Developments

• Global stocks are mostly higher with the European Euro Stoxx 50 Index up +1.55% and Sep S&Ps up +12.80 points. The dollar and Treasuries are weaker and copper rose to a 1-3/4 month high as growth unexpectedly accelerated in the European manufacturing and service industries in July. The July Euro-Zone PMI composite rose +0.7 to 56.7 when the market was expecting a decline to 55.5. Also boosting European stocks was the stronger than expected UK retail sales for Jun, the unexpected increase in the July French business indicator which rose +2 points to a 2-year high of 98 and the unexpected increase in May Euro-Zone industrial new orders that climbed +3.8% m/m. Limiting gains in European stocks was the 2.7% drop in Credit Suisse AG after Switzerland’s second-largest bank reported a drop in profit at its investment banking unit in Q2 as trading revenue slumped amid Europe’s sovereign debt crisis, while SSAB Svenskt Staal AB, the largest supplier of high-tensile steel, slid 6.9% after it reported Q2 income of 369 million kroner ($49.9 million), below analysts’ estimates of 482 million kroner.
• The Asian markets today closed mixed with Japan down -0.62%, Hong Kong +0.50%, China +1.24%, Taiwan -0.45%, Australia -0.86%, Singapore +1.01%, South Korea -0.72%, India +0.76%. Japanese stocks closed lower for the fifth straight day as the Nikkei 225 Stock Index fell to a 2-week low after Fed Chairman Bernanke said the US economic outlook remains "unusually uncertain." Most Japanese exporters declined as the yen approached a 7-month high against the dollar, while Nintendo, the world’s biggest portable video-game maker that gets 80% of its revenue overseas, slipped 1.3% after Citigroup cut its rating on the stock to "hold" from "buy." Citigroup also cut its outlook for China’s 2010 economic expansion to 9.5% from 10.5% after China’s economy showed signs of slowing at the end of Q2. Citigroup also cut its 2011 growth estimate for China to 8.8%, lower than last month’s forecast of 9.3%.

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Overnight Developments

• Global stocks are mixed with the European Euro Stoxx 50 Index down -0.45% and Sep S&Ps down -7.30 points. US Stock futures retreated and led European shares lower after IBM and Texas Instruments reported revenue that missed analysts’ estimates. Treasuries and the dollar are higher as the drop in stocks prompts an increase in safe-haven demand. Spain sold 6 billion euros ($7.8 billion) of Treasury bills, the maximum target for the auction, which pushed down the borrowing costs due to the increase in demand. Spain, which has to repay 24.7 billion euros of debt this month, has the third-largest deficit in the Euro-Zone and many of its banks are dependent on the ECB for funds. Greece sold 1.95 billion euros ($2.53 billion) of 13-week Treasury bills with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.85, higher than last week’s 3.64, which shows strong demand and indicates an increase in investor confidence towards Greek government debt. Hungary, however, raised less than planned in a debt sale for a fourth time since June, which sent its borrowing costs soaring to a 19-week high and reignited concern about the ability to tame its budget deficit as the economy slows.
• The Asian markets today closed mixed with Japan down -1.15%, Hong Kong +0.86%, China +2.20%, Taiwan +0.81%, Australia +1.04%, Singapore +0.11%, South Korea +0.23%, India -0.28%. China’s Shanghai Stock Index closed higher after the International Strategy & Investment Group said China would relax polices that were aimed at curbing its housing industry as the economy faces a bigger risk from a slowdown than inflation. At a briefing in Beijing, China’s Commerce Ministry said that China’s domestic consumption will become the most important element of the nation’s economic growth in the future and that domestic consumption in the second half of this year will continue to grow at a relatively fast pace. Japanese stocks fell, led by declines in semiconductor-related stocks, after Texas Instruments reported disappointing profit and sales, while automakers and electronics companies also closed lower fell on concern demand from the US may falter after US home-builder confide nce sank to a 16-month low.

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Overnight Developments

• Global stocks are mixed with the European Euro Stoxx 50 Index up +0.33 % and Sep S&Ps up +3.70 points. US and European shares are fluctuating between small gains and losses as disappointing earnings from Google offset gains in BP Plc and Goldman Sachs. BP is 4% higher after the company said late yesterday that oil has stopped flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from its damaged Macando well and Goldman Sachs is 5% higher in European trading after the firm agreed to pay $550 million to settle with US regulators that it misled investors in collateralized debt obligations linked to subprime mortgages. Google is trading down 3.7% after it reported Q2 profit of $6.45 a share, weaker than analysts’ estimates of $6.52 as expenses surged 22% to $4.46 billion during the quarter, higher than an 18% increase in Q1. Weakness in German utility companies is also undercutting European share prices after the Handelsblatt newspaper reported that Germany’s planned tax on utilities that run nuclear power plants would levy a tax of 220 euros ($284) per gram of plutonium or uranium when a reactor is refueled. The euro rallied to a 2-month high against the dollar after May Euro-Zone exports rose 1.6% from April, indicating a revival in global demand will help boost Q2 Euro-Zone growth and that the weaker euro is helping export competitiveness.
• The Asian markets today closed mixed with Japan down -2.86%, Hong Kong -0.03%, China +0.29%, Taiwan -0.52%, Australia -0.45%, Singapore +0.48%, South Korea -0.90%, India +0.26%. Japanese stocks weakened after the May Japan tertiary index, which shows demand for services and captures 63% of the economy, fell -0.9% from April and adds to signs that Japan’s economy has started to cool as the effects of government incentives for cars and home appliances fades. Asian technology stocks fell after Google missed earnings estimates and Japanese exporters and automakers closed lower after the yen rallied to a 2-week high against the dollar. Asian material and energy stocks also declined as signs of a slowing economy dimmed the outlook for global commodity prices.

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