US markets gain on hopes of good earning season

10 Jan 2012 Evaluate

The US markets edged higher on Monday, as investors bet on the corporate earnings season, kicked off after the close of trade by Alcoa Inc., would bolster recent data pointing to an improving US economy. Alcoa released fourth-quarter results that matched analysts’ estimates. However, banks were in focus as fourth quarter earnings are expected to be the worst in the last six quarters on weak trading and ongoing housing market turmoil. In Europe, Germany sold €3.9 billion of short term debt at negative yield and Italy and Spain are set to sell more in the week. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in comments to reporters after meeting in Berlin stated that they have made progress toward implementing tougher budget rules across the euro zone and that would aim to foster stronger growth and job creation.

Euro-area leaders may complete their new budget rulebook by January 30, one month ahead of schedule, and are considering accelerating capital contributions to the bailout fund being set up this year to stem the debt crisis. Merkel and Sarkozy outlined the increased pace of their response as the financial crisis that began in Greece in 2009 entered its third year amid concern that the future of the single currency itself was in doubt.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher by 32.77 points, or 0.27 percent, at 12,392.70. The S&P 500 was up by 2.89 points, or 0.23 percent, at 1,280.70, while the Nasdaq closed up 2.34 points, or 0.09 percent, at 2,676.56.

Indian ADRs closed in green on Monday, Infosys technologies was up 1.42%, Dr Reddy’s was up by 0.51%, HDFC Bank was up by 0.43%, ICICI Bank was up by 0.34% and Tata Motors was up by 0.09%.

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