Thursday, December 24, 2009

Financial News Flash


Domino's Pizza, Gym Club Share Sales Tap India's Consumer Spending Wave Domino’s Pizza Inc.’s Indian franchise, a gym chain and a developer of games for Sony Corp.’s PlayStation plan to sell shares in India, riding a boom in spending in the world’s second-fastest growing major economy.

Sensitive Index Rises to 19-Month High as Foreign Direct Investment Jumps India’s stocks rose to their highest in 19 months after foreign direct investment into the nation jumped 61 percent and the government relaxed a rule to make some state-run companies globally competitive.

India Allows `Maharatna' State-Run Companies to Spend More on Acquisitions India increased the amount some state-run companies can spend to acquire assets and set up joint ventures, allowing them greater freedom to expand and become globally competitive.

Gold Imports in December Drop as Record Price Cools India Jewelry Demand Gold imports by India in December may decline from the previous month as demand wanes because of record prices.

Bombay Stock Exchange Plans Cuts in Trading Charges to Boost Market Share The Bombay Stock Exchange, Asia’s oldest bourse, said it’s planning to cut trading fees starting Dec. 29 and roll out derivative products to take market share from bigger rival National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.

Real Estate Developer BPTP Files to Raise 15 Billion Rupees in Share Sale Indian real estate developer BPTP Ltd. filed a draft share sale document with the market regulator to raise as much as 15 billion rupees ($321.5 million) in an initial offering, it said in a statement.

Production at Six Key Indian Industries Grew 5.3% in November, Sharma Says India’s production at six key industries, which account for a quarter of the nation’s industrial output, rose 5.3 percent in November from a year earlier, Trade Minister Anand Sharma said in New Delhi today.

Rupee Gains Most in Three Weeks as Overseas Funds Boost Stock Investments India’s rupee gained the most in three weeks after exchange data showed overseas investors raised holdings of local shares to near a record to benefit from the nation’s relatively fast economic growth.

Government Bonds Poised for Weekly Advance as Rate-Increase Concerns Wane India’s bonds due in 2020 headed for a weekly gain after a government official said excess cash in the system isn’t fuelling inflation, tempering speculation the central bank will raise interest rates before a January review.

India's Wholesale Food Inflation Rate Continues to be Near an 11-Year High India’s wholesale food inflation rate held near an 11-year high as potato and vegetable costs climbed, adding pressure on policy makers to take steps to cool price gains.

Durables Orders in U.S. Rise in Sign Companies Investing Ahead of New Year Orders for goods meant to last several years rose in November, pointing to increases in spending and production that will help sustain the expansion into 2010.

U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Decline to Lowest Level Since September 2008 The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits last week declined to the lowest level since September 2008, signaling firings are easing as employers gain confidence in the economic recovery.

Stocks, Copper Advance on Economic Growth Outlook While U.S. Dollar Slips Stocks gained around the world, with China’s benchmark index posting its biggest advance this month, on expectations the global economic recovery will strengthen. Copper rose, heading for the best year in more than two decades.

Mortgage Rates Climb to 5.05% for 30-Year Loans, Highest in Three Months Mortgage rates for fixed 30-year U.S. home loans increased for a third consecutive week to the highest in three months, reducing affordability for buyers and owners who wish to refinance.

Schwarzenegger May Appeal to Obama as $21 Billion Deficit Defies Solution California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, anticipating a $21 billion budget deficit, plans to ask President Barack Obama to ease mandates and minimums on social programs to save as much as $8 billion.

Goldcorp Matches Newmont's Canplats Bid as Miners Vie to Boost Gold Output Goldcorp Inc., the world’s second- largest gold producer, matched a competing offer from a venture owned by Newmont Mining Corp. to buy Canplats Resources Corp. for about C$254 million ($240 million)

source: Bloomberg