US markets closed flat as political rhetoric over budget continues

01 Dec 2012 Evaluate
The US markets ended flat on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite scoring its first positive November since 2009 though the political rhetoric over the budget continued. The lawmakers are showing no sign of compromise as the budget negotiation deadline looms. President Barack Obama warned of prolonged negotiations ahead, as Congressional Republicans dug in on their opposition to his plan to avert the fiscal cliff. Barack Obama hit the road to turn up pressure on Republicans in the fiscal talks, urging Americans to support his drive to raise taxes on the wealthy while extending tax cuts for the middle class. In Washington, House Speaker John Boehner lashed out at President Barack Obama, saying negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff are almost nowhere. Boehner spoke after Republicans disclosed that the White House was $1.6 trillion in tax increases up front, as well as $50 billion in additional stimulus spending. Boehner added that the plan would be a crippling blow to an economy that is still struggling to find its footing. Beside, the economic reports had consumer spending unexpectedly falling and incomes flat in October as Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath prevented many from working and shopping in the Northeast. US personal income increased $0.4 billion or less than 0.1%, and disposable personal income increased $0.8 billion or less than 0.1% in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department. Personal consumption expenditures decreased $20.2 billion or 0.2% in October.

In Europe, the German parliament approved the release of next tranche of bailout funds for Greece, removing one hurdle. Euro zone’s annual inflation, as measured by the harmonized index of consumer prices eased to 2.2% in November compared to the 2.5% rise in October, a report from Eurostat showed. In the wider region of EU27 unemployment rate was 10.7% in October 2012, up from 10.6% in September. Besides, UK consumer sentiment surged to an 18-month high in November, according to survey results released by the GfK NOP firm. The GfK index rose to -22 in November from -30 in October.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.76 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 13,025.60, the S&P 500 finished up by 0.23 points, or 0.02 percent at 1,416.18, while the Nasdaq ended lower by 1.79 points, or 0.06 percent to settle at 3,010.24.
 
Indian ADRs closed mixed on Friday, Dr. Reddy’s Lab was up 0.69%, Sterlite Industries was up 0.21% and Wipro was up 0.15%. On the other hand, HDFC Bank was down by 0.73% and ICICI Bank was down 0.55%.

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