US indices were mixed yesterday with the Dow and S&P 500 losing ground, while the Nasdaq finished slightly higher. The banking sector dragged after Morgan Stanley posted disappointing second quarter results. Also weighing on the sector was growing concern that government stress tests, due on May 4th, will undermine confidence in banks.
The Dow Jones falls 82.99 points to close at 7,886.57 while the S&P 500 slips 6.53 points to end at 843.55. The Nasdaq gained 2.27 points to finish at 1,646.12.
Morgan Stanley tumbled 9% lower after reporting weaker quarterly sales and earnings that were lower than analysts’ estimates. The company also slashed its dividend by 81% and was the first of the big banks to miss forecasts. Wells Fargo reported higher quarterly sales and earnings as it had said it expected to last week. Shares slipped 3.4%.
AT&T said profit fell less than expected to send shares 1.8% higher. Analysts said its iPhone partnership with Apple Inc is now starting to help rather than hurt profits.
Gilead Sciences was the top gainer on the Nasdaq after reporting quarterly profit that topped estimates. The company cited increased sales of its drug used to treat the virus that causes AIDS. Shares rallied 5.7% on the news.
After the bell a number of tech shares gained. Apple rose 2.4% after reporting stronger than expected quarterly results. Ebay Inc jumped 6.2% after reporting results that although were lower than last year, still beat expectations. Qualcomm added 7.4% after saying it has rescheduled its results due to advanced settlement discussions with Broadcom over legal disputes. However, the wireless chip maker said second quarter revenue and operating income met or exceeded prior guidelines.
US light crude oil for June delivery rose $0.30 to settle at $48.85 a barrel. COMEX gold for June delivery added $9.80 to $892.50 an ounce. Treasury prices slumped, raising the yield on the 10 year note to 2.94% from 2.89%.
The Nikkei advanced 119.71 points to close at 8,847.01 this morning. Car manufacturers rallied after Goldman Sachs recommended buying shares in the sector. The broker said it expects Japanese firms to be able to expand market share.
The Hang Seng is 265 points higher at 15,143.45 this morning. Banks were higher after China Minsheng Banking Corp said profit growth will accelerate this year. On the downside, PCCW Ltd, the city's biggest phone company, plummeted 12% after Chairman Richard Li abandoned his $2.1 billion buy out bid.
The FTSE 100 is currently 23.52 points lower at 4,007.14. Schroders tops the fallers board, down 3%, after reporting a slump in first quarter profit as investors continue to pull money out of funds. Rolls-Royce loses 2.7% after Cazenove advised clients to sell the stock. Miners retreat after copper prices fell with Antofagasta down 1.7%. On the upside, retailers lead the way following results from FTSE 250 stock Debenhams and no change to the 15% VAT rate in the budget. Next jumps 6.8%, Marks & Spencer adds 6.1% and Home Retail gains 4.6%.