Morning Update: Market Overview and Key Stocks to Watch

Strategic Insights -

Markets seem hesitant to start the new week, with overseas markets showing mixed performance. Despite this, some Pacific-rim bourses have managed to post double-digit gains. The cumulative average return on our 15 markets stands at a positive 0.465 percent. Investors are looking forward to the release of the December non-farm payroll numbers and the December unemployment rate on Friday, which could have a significant impact on the markets. Several key reports are scheduled for this week, including Alcoa's fourth quarter earnings report and same-store-sales for major retailers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cumulative average return on our 15 markets stands at a positive 0.465 percent, indicating a slightly positive start to the week.
  • Ten out of 15 markets that we track are currently positive, with the Pacific-rim bourses showing the most significant gains.
  • The key report of the week comes on Friday with the release of the December non-farm payroll numbers and the December unemployment rate.
  • Alcoa will kick off this earnings season with its fourth quarter earnings report on Thursday.
  • Several major retailers will be reporting their same-store-sales for the month of December on Thursday.
  • Cepheid, a company with a proprietary technology for detecting trace chemicals, has more than doubled in price since November 2002 and is currently trading at US$10.00 a share.
  • Man Financial Inc, a major futures and options broker, has been recognized as a leading option order execution firm for individuals and institutions.

Statistics:

  • 10 out of 15 markets are currently positive.
  • The cumulative average return on our 15 markets stands at a positive 0.465 percent.
  • 1.6 percent rise in industrial orders in the Euro-Zone in October.
  • 0.5 percent rise in November Construction Spending, expected by analysts.
  • US stock prices for key stocks like AMAT, NGEN, CAH, USB, and NFLX have been issued in PriceWatch Alerts.

Sources:

  • http://www.investorsobserver.com/mu18
  • http://www.investorsobserver.com/FREEelection
  • http://www.mansecurities.com/mu.html
  • http://www.247profits.com/
  • http://www.taipanonline.com/signup/PR/
  • http://www.investorsobserver.com/freemo
  • http://www.poweroptionsplus.com/
  • http://www.cboe.com/Resources/Intro.asp
  • InvestorsObserver.com
  • Man Securities