US MArket Closed Higher, helped by blue chip, news on potential European QE helped the market (Weidmann)...IBM +3.6%
...almost sector higher except cons. Discret (-0.6%)...VIX @ 14.02 -7.10%...FB announced acquisition of Oculus (OCLS US) for $2bil...Sovereign wealth fund (CIC) Chairman Li expressed concern that it is becoming more difficult to find investible long-term projects, also noting that while QE may weigh on emerging markets in the short term, those challenges would likely be temporary. Li also said Q1 GDP in China thus far appears to be unsatisfactory, but Q2 will likely see "very real growth."...Japan PM Abe's economic advisor Honda echoed sentiment from adviser Hamada earlier this week, pushing the BOJ into further policy easing with the announcement as early as mid-May if the upcoming consumption tax increase derails the fragile progress of Abenomics. Separately, a press report late in the day suggesting the govt is looking to bring forward public works spending to offset the impact of Apr 1st sales tax hike, with plans to spend minimum of ¥10T of public works budget by end of September....Nikkei +0.37% HS +0.87%...Shanghai -0.20%
Eur$ 1.3811 S&P Fut +0.10% European fut. +0.60%
Macro
- China GDP Growth to Stabilize in 7-7.5% Range in 2H: Tao
- Fed's Bullard Says He Sees `Bit of Ambiguity' on End Date of QE
What to look at today :
- AIR FP : Airbus Helicopter to Extend Partnership With China’s Avic: Echos
- ALBK IR : Moody’s Says Irish Banks Unlikely to Need Capital After EU Tests
- AZA IM : Alitalia, Etihad Accord Near Completion, Repubblica Says
- BLT LN : BHP May Announce Buyback in Aug.; Rio Tinto in Feb.: Macquarie
- BNP FP : BNP Paribas Fortis Raises Dividend 51% After Full BNP Takeover
- CGG FP : CGG, Baker Hughes Sign Exclusive RoqSCAN Pact; No Terms Given
- CWC GY : Cewe Sees 2014 Profit Rising 10%; Aims at Div. Raise in Future
- DAN IM : Danieli Sees Delay in Ukraine Projects, Better 2015 Steel Market
- EDF FP : EDF, Veolia Agree to Divide Operations of Dalkia JV
- GFC FP : Soc Gen Sells 1.1% of Gecina Shr Capital at EU92.75/Shr
- GFJ GY : Gagfah 2013 Recurring FFO Up 13% to EU123.7m; Says Outlook Good
- IBAB BB : Ion Beam Sees 2014 Operating Profit Margin of at Least 10%
- JUST EAT IPO : Just Eat May be Valued at More Than GBP1b in IPO: Telegraph
- KPN NA : America Movil’s Stake in KPN Falls to 26.69%, AFM Filing Shows
- LLOY LN : U.K. to Sell ~7.5% of Lloyds, Cut Stake to ~25%, Share-Sale Orders Below 75.5p Said Likely to Miss Out
- LUPE SS : Lundin to List Ngex in Stockholm in 1H, Dagens Industri Reports
- MAERSKB DC : Maersk Wants to Sell Stake in Esvagt, Borsen Reports
- MDG1 GY : Medigene Wins U.S. Patent For Mature Dendritic Cells Production
- MMT FP : M6 Plans to Start Four Online TV Channels, Le Figaro Says
- MT IM : Maire Tecnimont Signs Petrochemical Deal in $1.7-1.95b Project
- ORA FP : Orange Considering Possible Purchases in Spain, Expansion Says
- ORP FP : Orpea Lifts Sales Target as 2013 Op. Profit Rises 21%
- UG FP : Moscovici: France Will Be Active as Peugeot Shareholder: Echos
- UG FP : Peugeot 2008, 208 GTi Orders Above Targets, La Tribune Says
- PTC PL : Unitel Says Can’t Pay Dividends to Portugal Telecom Subsidiary
- RIO LN : BHP May Announce Buyback in Aug.; Rio Tinto in Feb.: Macquarie
- TEL NO : Telenor Broadcast Sells Conax to Kudelski Group for NK1.509B
- TEL NO : Telenor May Raise Stake in Uninor Unit to 100%: E. Times Link
- ZO1 GY : Zooplus Posts 2013 Earnings Profit; Sees Favorable Business