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Foreign Markets

Overnight in Asia, equities advanced following the up day on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock average added 152.32, or 1.7 %, to 8,907.58 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng pared gains to close up 18.28 points, or 0.1 %, at 15,601.27. Stocks rose in Europe after earnings released by Citigroup, and General Electric, who both beat the street. In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was up 36.78 points, or 0.9 %, at 4,089.76 while Germany’s DAX rose 46.20 points, or 1 %, to 4,655.66. The CAC-40 in France was 42.68 points, or 1.4 %, at 3,080.86.

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Foreign Markets

Surging commodity and mining stocks weren’t enough to lift markets positive in Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led the region’s declines, falling 297.41 points, or 2.3 %, to 12,833.51, and Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 stock index lost 0.4 % to 3,465.8. Japan’s market was closed for a holiday. The weaker dollar has really troubled the region over the past few days because of their heavy reliance on exports which will look more expensive.

In Europe, stocks were lower most of the morning before rallying positive. Britain’s FTSE 100 gained 1.62, or 0.04% to 3,818.55, Germany’s DAX rose 0.4% to 4,059.65 and France’s CAC-40 advanced 6.90 points to 2,783.89, a 0.25% gain.

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Foreign Markets

Asian markets got routed as Samsung posted extremely weak results on the heels of Sony’s lackluster quarter. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.8 % to 7,745.25, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.6 % to 12,578.60 and South Korea’s Kospi sank 2.1 % to 1,093.40. These major indices fell for a 3rd consecutive week.

In Europe, Britain’s economy fell 1.5% in the 4th quarter as it entered a recession. Britain’s benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 1.6 % to 3,987.04. Germany’s DAX lost 2.7 % at 4,105.73 and the French CAC 40 is retreating 2.4 % at 2,802.34 in afternoon trading.

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