Investors began to doubt when the morale of U.S. households showed slightly damaged on Friday. However, U.S. exchanges had entamn? sitting instead in the green – after three consecutive sessions in the green – through retail sales better than expected.
At the close on Friday, the Dow Jones closed up 0.12% at 10,624 points while the Nasdaq and the S & P 500 have ended in any small fold, respectively, from 0.03% to 2638 points and 0.02%, to 1,150 points.
Retail sales in the United States have resisted to the bad weather in February. Against all odds, they rose by 0.3% compared to January (in data seasonally adjusted) while analysts felt they had declined by 0.2%.
But a little later, the publication of the index calculated by the University of Michigan has sown doubt.Americans are less moral than the beginning of the year. The indicator is in effect in March fell to its level of December, to 72.5 against 73.6 in February. Economists had forecast on 74 March. This is the second straight month of decline for the index, highly regarded as the tone of the current economic
News that fell after other statistics rather reassuring, even if they still emphasize economic problems overseas. Like the U.S. trade deficit fell to 37.29 billion dollars from 39.9 billion in January. For specialists Barclays Exchange, "it is a pleasant surprise to the extent that economists were expecting a deficit of 41 billion dollars."Other good news side of the labor market "listings weekly unemployment fell to 462,000 from 469,000 the previous week.
Oil prices retreated Friday in New York, the surprise cut in U.S. consumer confidence prompting traders to take profits. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery finished at 81.24 dollars, down 87 cents from the previous day cash advance payday loan .
Citigroup has blown
Rated values of the fertilizer industry was bustling Friday at the NYSE by the withdrawal of Norwegian Yara in the race for the acquisition of Terra, leaving the field open to CF Industries.At closing, the Norwegian Yara International, has renounced improve its offer to buy Terra (-1.32% to 46.28 dollars), allowing the hand to CF Industries.
Meanwhile, Canada's Agrium (7.94% to 72.08 dollars) has dropped its hostile takeover bid, one year old, against rival FC Industries.
Financial stocks continued to be relatively sought. One of the largest increases in the Dow Jones was signed by the issuer of credit cards American Express (1.67% to 40.78 dollars).
The CEO of Citigroup on Thursday promised a return to profitability of the bank. The state could get rid of all of its shares within twelve months. The title of Citigroup rose 30% since the beginning of the month and by 20% since the stock market Monday.Friday, the shares resumed their breath, down 5.26%, to 3.96 dollars.
The health sector was neglected while the debate on reform of health coverage in the United States seems to be entering its final stretch.
The decline as Pfizer (-1276% to 17.07 dollars) weighed on the Dow Jones. The pharmaceutical company announced late Thursday the failure of three clinical trials of two molecules of the department of oncology.
In the energy sector, Devon Energy (-2.17% to 70.48 dollars), the specialist production of oil will sell at BP Plc for seven billion dollars of assets located in Brazil, Azerbaijan and Gulf of Mexico.
Note also the manufacturer of semiconductor National Semiconductor announced after the close of the NYSE, a profit of 53.2 million, or 22 cents a share against 18 cents expected by analysts' consensus.Turnover was 361.9 million against 348.6 million expected by analysts. The securities have grapill? 0.14%, to 14.36 dollars.