US markets slip amid concerns over budget deal

29 Dec 2012 Evaluate

The US markets slipped on Friday, amid concern that lawmakers won’t reach a budget deal to avoid the fiscal cliff of spending cuts and tax increases looming in January. Republican and Democratic leaders met with President Barack Obama at the White House, as talks continued to reach a deal to avert steep spending cuts and tax hikes. The gathering included House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both Republicans, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both Democrats.

President Barack Obama is seeking an up-or-down vote on his proposal to extend tax cuts for annual income up to $250,000, absent a counteroffer from congressional leaders. The report fueled concern lawmakers have moved no closer to a compromise to avert more than $600 billion in tax and spending changes in 2013. On the economy front, the pending home sales index increased 1.7% in November from October and rose 9.8% from a year ago month, according to the latest data released by the National Association of Realtors. The index increased to 106.4 in the last month and 100 is the base level year that represents the level of contract signing in 2001. Besides, Chicago area purchasing managers index increased to 51.6 in December, according to the latest data released by the Institute for Supply Management. The MNI Chicago Report’s business barometer rose to 51.6 in December from 50.4 the prior month, above the reading of 50 that is the dividing line between expansion and contraction and higher than the median estimate.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 158.20 points or 1.21 percent to 12,938.10, the Nasdaq lost 25.59 points or 0.86 percent to 2,960.31 and the S&P 500 closed lower by 15.67 points or 1.10 percent to 1,402.43.

Indian ADRs closed mostly in red on Friday, HDFC Bank was down 0.35%, ICICI Bank was down 0.27% and Dr Reddy’s lab was down by 0.22%. On the other hand, Tata Motors was up by 0.44% and Tata Communications was up 0.20%.

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