US markets climb on better than expected Alcoa results

12 Apr 2012 Evaluate

The US markets moved higher on Wednesday, halting the longest slump of the year as Alcoa Inc. started the earnings season with an unexpected profit. Investor sentiment also drew a lift as European Central Bank official reportedly indicated that ECB could resume its bond-purchase program. Alcoa Inc reported better than expected quarterly profit and reaffirmed global demand for aluminum to grow 7% in 2012. Also, the Labor Department reported import prices rose 1.3% last month, with higher petroleum costs fueling the rise. Excluding food and energy, prices climbed more modestly.

Besides, the US economy continued to grow at a modest to moderate pace over the last month, the Federal Reserve stated in the latest publication of anecdotes. The Fed’s Beige Book use of the phrase modest to moderate is the same adjective used to describe the economy in the prior two reports. Every region covered by the Fed’s 12 districts grew, ranging from modest in the Cleveland and St. Louis regions to a faster pace in the Kansas City area. The report noted that manufacturers and retailers expressed some concern about rising oil prices, and the Beige Book also credited unusually warm weather with helping retail sales.

In Europe, six countries sold debt with German bond auction failed to meet expectations and bond yields of Spain and Italy edged lower. Germany raised €3.87 billion and Italy raised €11 billion from bond auctions. However, Germany's wholesale price index eased to 2.2% on an annual basis in March compared to the 2.6% rise in February, data released by the Federal Statistics Office showed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher by 89.46 points, or 0.70 percent, at 12,805.40. The S&P 500 gain 10.12 points, or 0.74 percent, at 1,368.71, while the Nasdaq was up by 25.24 points, or 0.84 percent, at 3,016.46.

Indian ADRs closed in green on Wednesday, ICICI Bank was up 0.78%, Dr. Reddy’s Lab was up 0.60%, Tata Motors was up 0.58%, HDFC Bank was up 0.31% and Sterlite Industries was up 0.28%.  

  

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