Market Report 1 March 2010

Market Indices

In the US there was solid GDP data but shares struggled to make any significant headway. Figures from AIG were viewed as disappointing. The S&P 500 closed 0.6% lower at 1,104.49.

The UK market was dominated by a number of results from leading companies. The FTSE 100 index registered a small decline for the week, closing at 5354.5, giving a gain for February of 3.2%.

Europe remained concerned about the possible downgrade of Greece’s credit rating. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 index finished 1.8% lower.

Asian equities recorded their best weekly gain since early January. This was due to better factory output data from Japan and spending plans from India. Hong Kong shares have had their best month since October with the Hang Seng closing at 20,608

The Week Ahead

Companies reporting this week include:

Tuesday
Admiral
Persimmon
Pace
Cookson
Jardine Lloyd Thompson

Wednesday
Standard & Chartered
Carillion

Thursday
Amec
Whitbread
Kazakhmys
Balfour Beatty
Aviva

Friday
WPP

The markets will also be watching closely for the monthly employment reports in the US.



THIS DATA IS PROVIDED BY GRAHAM SPOONER, INVESTMENT ADVISER AT THE SHARE CENTRE. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR AGREEMENT TO BUY OR SELL INVESTMENTS.




 

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2010-03-02 15:57:21 © Moneyextra.com