The second largest in North America, fertilizer producer Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) has reported an increase in profit in the first quarter, ending in August, which, however, not reached to the expectations of analysts.
U.S. investment firm Apollo Management intends to submit a joint bid with one of the parties interested in buying the company CKX, which owns the rights to show “American Idol”.
Credit Suisse Group will buy a minority stake York Capital Management not less than $ 425 million to provide its customers access to investment funds managed by this American hedge fund. The size of the acquired shares has not been disclosed.
As if to commemorate the Labor Day, the long-awaited report has brought some optimism in the U.S. labor market somewhat lessening fears of a repeated national economy recession. With the exception of the agricultural sector, the employment level fell by 54 thousand jobs, with almost double figure predicted earlier.
Recently B.Bernanke stated that the FRB is ready to intervene when required. One more disappointing report may push the FED to a new stage of quantitative easing strategy. Therefore, let us proceed to our monthly task of trying to predict the course of employment indicators using pay-roll record data.
U.S. soup producer Campbell Soup has reported the net profit for the fourth quarter ending August 1 at the amount of $ 113 mln., or 33 cents per share, comparing to $ 69 mln., or 20 cents per share in the previous year, with the forecasted profit of 30 cents per share.
Thursday, October 2, the principal Asian markets, with the exception of Indonesian and Thai markets, closed in green. According to yesterday’s data, the ISM index grew in July from 55.5 to 56.3 points, surpassing analysts’ forecast of a decrease towards 53 points.
Schiller index (displaying growth of home prices in 20 largest American cities) grew in the last 12 months by 4.23%, while real estate analysts predicted a mere 3.1% increase. Moreover, consumer confidence index rose to 53.5 points, with the predicted increase at no more than 50 points. Consumer optimism in June surpassed expectations as well.
Today’s trading at U.S. markets opened with a slight decrease of share indices. In the early trading DJIA fell by 0.17%, S&P 500 – by 0.25%, Nasdaq – by 0.48%. Investors’ concerns were attributed to today’s macro statistics, which fell short of forecasts both in Europe and the U.S. due to worsening business climate and slow income growth respectively.
The previous week has finished with growth for the U.S. stock market, owing to B. Bernanke’s speech. The FED chairman has assured the markets of continued financial support of the U.S. economy.