Financial News

FRANKFURT (AFX) - Shares were higher in late morning trade following late gains on Wall Street overnight, with Deutsche Post gaining amid reports it might sell its stake in Deutsche Postbank and Bayer falling on a broker downgrade, dealers said. At 11.24 am, the DAX 30 index was 20.81 points or 0.36 pct higher at 5,867.83, having moved between 5,852.19 and 5,874.54 so far this session. The MDAX  ...

HONG KONG (Dow Jones) -- Asian markets were mixed Wednesday afternoon as Japanese stocks saw declines accelerate across the board, while Hong Kong got a lift from indications the U.S. Federal Reserve Board may refrain from more rate- hikes in the near term. Minutes from the Fed's last meeting, released Tuesday, showed that the monetary policy-setting body was expecting economic growth and infla ...

LONDON (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday with banks in focus amid takeover talk, but steelmaker Corus fell after reporting disappointing results. "The banks are supporting the index on more takeover talk, while firmer commodity prices should also be a positive," said one trader. By 8:20 a.m. the FTSE 100 index was up 8.7 points or 0.2 percent at 5,897.0, adding to Tuesday's 9.7 point rise. Banks supported the FTSE as talk of consolidation in Europe continued. Barclays rose early as  ...

By Michael Smith LONDON (Reuters) - Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus met forecasts with a 32 percent decline in first-half core earnings but its shares fell after it warned there was no sign of a let-up in cost pressures. Corus (CS.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it was also eyeing opportunities to access crucial low-cost iron ore and other resources but declined to comment on persistent speculation it is a takeover target. Corus shares fell as much as 3.5 percent in early London  ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Leading shares rose on Wednesday with banks in focus amid takeover talk, but steelmaker Corus fell after reporting disappointing results. "The banks are supporting the index on more takeover talk, while firmer commodity prices should also be a positive," said one trader. By 8:20 a.m. the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 8.7 points or 0.2 percent at 5,897.0, adding to Tuesday's 9.7 point rise. Banks supported the FTSE as talk of consolidation in Europe continued. Bar ...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. said on Wednesday it has developed a mobile phone with KDDI Corp. that will make it easier for drivers in Japan to use its car navigation and other services. The phone, called "TiMO," will go on sale at the end of October and will be sold only at the automaker's 7,500 outlets in Japan, the companies said in a statement. Toyota has been working close ...

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Share prices closed slightly lower with investor sentiment flat due to a slowdown in the merger news and earnings reports which have recently driven the market, dealers said. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3 points or 0.01 pct to close at 5,067.3. The benchmark indicator closed off the day's low of 5,063.3, with the high at 5,082.6. The All Ordinaries index eased 1.9 points t ...

Evening Standard30 August 2006 ANGLO-DUTCH steelmaker Corus's second-quarter operating profit dropped 52% to £129m from £267m a year earlier. WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: Abramovich looks to buy Corus share OTHER STORIES Thames to axe 25% of jobs Market report: Wednesday preview Investors hit the skies as oil drops Agius tipped for the top at Barclays Ratner confirm ...

PARIS (AFX) - The French government has approved a plan that would allow businesses to benefit from price caps on electricity prices, a move that could cost 300-400 mln eur for the country's two largest electricity suppliers, EDF and Suez, according to a report in French daily Les Echos. The move follows complaints from businesses which have been hit by the sharp rise in electricity costs on the  ...

Geoff Foster, yesterday's trading, Daily Mail30 August 2006 INVESTORS fastened their seat belts as airline stocks took off after crude oil dropped below $70 a barrel for the first time since April and dealers surmised that September's flotation of Irish state airline Aer Lingus would give the sector a lift. WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: Aer Lingus is heading for a float TIPS & TACTICS ...