Tag Archives: google stocks

Google Regarded As Best Placed For Growth

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the financial markets:

Main Trading Event Of The Day: German Buba Monthly Report @ 10.00 GMT

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

Asia Stocks Mainly Higher On U.S. Earnings Optimism

Most Asian stock markets edged higher today as investors temporarily put aside geopolitical concerns to focus on the generally upbeat flow of U.S. corporate earnings ahead of a series of results due this week. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 percent, with modest increases for most markets across Asia. Spread betters predicted opening gains of 0.1 to 0.2 percent for the FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40. Several U.S. companies report this week, ranging from Apple to McDonald’s Corp, Coca-Cola Co and Caterpillar Inc. Data showed that of 82 companies in the S&P 500 that had reported earnings through Friday morning, 68 percent beat Wall Street’s expectations. The Dow ended Friday up 0.7 percent, while the S&P 500 gained 1 percent and the Nasdaq 1.6 percent. For the week, the Dow rose 0.9 percent, S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent and the Nasdaq added 0.4 percent.

Dollar Gauge Trades Near Four-Week High In Advance of CPI Data

A gauge of the U.S. dollar was 0.3 percent from a four-week high before tomorrow’s CPI data which economists believe will show consumer-price inflation held at the fastest since October 2012, prompting the case for higher interest rates. The U.S. currency has risen versus all except one of its Group of 10 peers this month as traders boosted bets the Federal Reserve will increase its benchmark rate by the middle of 2015. Analysts say that a stronger CPI number would boost the U.S. dollar as we are seeing this data begin to edge up. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, which tracks the U.S. currency against 10 major counterparts, was little changed at 1,008.44 after advancing to 1,011.12 on July 18, the highest level since June 20. The dollar fell 0.2 percent to $1.3547 per euro after strengthening 0.6 percent last week. The U.S. currency weakened 0.1 percent to 101.22 yen.

Google Regarded As Best Placed For Growth

Google is the best placed of any company to benefit from the shift to mobile, increased local advertising and wearables, according to analysts after the company posted its 18th straight quarter of 20 percent-plus revenue growth. At least seven brokerages raised their target price on the stock on Friday by as much as $75, to a high of $700. The company said on Thursday that second-quarter revenue rose 22 percent to $15.96 billion, beating the average analyst estimate of $15.61 billion. Growth was driven by the company’s core search business, YouTube and product-listing ads, which combined to drive three times the amount of mobile traffic for merchants compared with last year. Google also owns Android, the world’s most-used mobile software. Other online companies such as Facebook and Twitter are also revamping their advertising businesses to take advantage of the shift to mobile devices but Google has established an unusually deep competitive edge its business through scale, aggressive product innovation and substantial investment. Google’s capital investment budget has topped $17 billion over the past five years, and the company has spent about $13 billion on research, according to analysts. Google shares were trading at $604.33 before the bell, after closing at $580.82 on Thursday. Up to Thursday’s close, the stock had risen 26 percent in the past year.

That sums up today’s highlights! Remember you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn with regular trading updates. We hope you have a profitable day on the markets.

U.S. Unemployment Claims: Increase Expected

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the financial markets:

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

Europe Shares Seen Lower Amid Russia Sanctions

European shares are on track for a lower open today as tensions in Ukraine are back into focus. The FTSE is called down 22 points at 6,762 while the German Dax is seen lower by 13 points at 9,846. The U.S. and the European Union announced a fresh round of sanctions against Russia yesterday following the annexation of Crimea back in April and ongoing tensions in the rest of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have said that relations between the U.S. and Russia are in danger of reaching a dead end and could damage U.S. business interests in his country. On Wall Street yesterday, the Dow index posted its 15th record-high close of the year thanks to a rally in tech shares after Intel posted strong third-quarter guidance.

Economic data also helped to boost sentiment. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book found the economy expanding at a modest to moderate pace with consumer spending up in all of the Fed’s districts. Another report had U.S. factory output increasing for a fifth month in June. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen also concluded a second day of congressional testimony, where she faced a multitude of questions from lawmakers about legislation to make the Fed more accountable.

U.S. Unemployment Claims: Increase Expected

The last few months have seen moderately higher increases in non-farm payrolls. On the plus side, there’s been a marked increase in the monthly change, with the net gain running above the 200,000 mark for five straight months through June, the first run of 200,000 plus increases for five consecutive months in nearly 15 years.

Whether the latest run of strength is a genuine sign that the economy’s finally poised to create new jobs on a sustained basis or just another temporary bout of short-term noise that will again give way to the modest increases of recent history, remains to be seen. Watch for today’s weekly numbers on new filings for unemployment benefits. Last week’s report showed that claims fell to 304,000 for the week to July 5 - close to a seven year low. But the data was for the July 4 holiday week and so the latest numbers may be misleading. The consensus prediction is for a slight rise to 310,000. If the prediction holds, it will provide fresh support for thinking that modest improvement in the labour market is still in force.

U.S. Unemployment Claims today @ 12.30 GMT

Tech Stocks: Google Set To Be A Trillion Dollar Company

Google has the potential to hit a trillion-dollar market cap in the next 10 years, according to one technology investing leader who expects the search engine giant to join Facebook in gobbling up smaller companies and continuing to grow rapidly. The rise of the first trillion-dollar companies was one of a handful of big ideas entertained during a recent tech-focused panel where it was noted that companies that can make it easier to make videos will do well. Big things are also predicted for digital currencies, although not necessarily bitcoin, which is the most prominent name now but has faced price volatility, theft and scandal over the past year. Other providers will come along with at least half a dozen multi-billion dollar digital currency companies expected to emerge.

That sums up today’s highlights! Remember to keep in touch for all the latest tradable events of the day. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. We hope you have a profitable day on the markets.

Currencies: Dollar, Euro, Aussie Latest

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the financial markets:

Main Trading Event Of The Day: USD Crude Oil Inventories @ 14.30 GMT

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

U.S. Dollar Strength Wanes, Aussie Slides, Euro & Other Major Currencies Subdued

Investors trimmed U.S. dollar positions on Tuesday after a two-week run higher, seemingly unmoved by a U.S. March existing home sales report that beat expectations but still showed a modest decline to a one and a half year low. Trading ranges remained narrow as Europe returned from the Easter holidays and faced uncertainty over whether European Central Bank policy will move toward more monetary stimulus. The euro gave up some of its modest gains, but remained positive against the greenback and yen. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi recently stated that the euro’s strength and very weak inflation in the euro zone, due partly to the strong exchange rate, are possible triggers for the central bank to ease monetary policy. The euro slipped to a two-week low before rebounding to trade slightly higher around $1.38. Investors await today’s euro zone ‘flash’ PMI surveys while the German IFO institute’s monthly reading of business sentiment in Europe’s largest economy is due Thursday. The Australian dollar, meanwhile, slipped today after data showed that Australian consumer prices rose less than expected in the first quarter, lessening the risk of a rise in domestic interest rates this year. The currency tumbled 0.9 percent to $0.9286, pulling away from a five-month high of $0.9461 set earlier in April. Other major currencies were subdued, with the euro edging up 0.1 percent to around $1.381, while the dollar eased 0.1 percent to 102.55 yen.

Gold Above 10-Week Low as Investors Look To Ukraine & U.S. Recovery

Gold traded above a 10-week low as improvements in the U.S. economy were weighed against tension in Ukraine and signs of higher demand in China. Assets in the largest exchange-traded product held at the lowest in 12 weeks. Bullion for immediate delivery was at $1,284.84 an ounce from $1,283.81 yesterday, when prices fell for a sixth day to $1,277.69, the lowest level since Feb. 11. While gold’s 12-year bull-run ended in 2013 on expectations the Federal Reserve would reduce stimulus as the world’s largest economy recovers, prices have rallied 6.9 percent this year as unrest in Ukraine spurred haven demand. In China, the biggest consumer, volumes for the benchmark spot bullion contract in Shanghai climbed for a second day to a five-week high yesterday.

Google’s Stellar Growth…

More technological developments for Google as the company announces that together with NASA, it is developing smart robots designed to fly around the International Space Station which will eventually take over some menial tasks from astronauts with the aid of custom-built smartphones. NASA is planning to attach smartphones to the flying robots to give them spatial awareness that would enable them to travel throughout the space station. The Android-based phones will track the 3D motion of the robotic spheres while mapping their surroundings in an effort to give mobile devices human-scale sense of space and motion. The new phones are scheduled for launch into space on June 10. Google says the technology may also have applications on earth, such as in gaming and navigation assistance for the visually-impaired. Traders may wish to keep an eye on Google stock prices.

That sums up today’s highlights! Keep posted with our regular Facebook, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn updates for traders. We hope you have a successful day on the markets!

Gold On Track For Second Weekly Gain

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the financial markets:

Main Trading Event Of The Day: G20 Meetings

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

Gold On Track For Second Weekly Gain

Gold was trading near its highest in over 2 weeks on Friday, on track for its best week in a month. This followed minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s last meeting at which monthly bond buying was cut for a third time, as tension in Ukraine persisted. The Fed has reduced monthly bond-buying by $10 billion at each of the past three meetings, while keeping its target for overnight lending between banks in a range of zero to 0.25 percent since 2008. Gold rallied 9.8 percent this year, rebounding from the worst annual drop in more than three decades, as the unrest in Ukraine, a rout in emerging markets and concern the U.S. recovery may be losing momentum spurred demand for a haven. Gold traded at $1,319.65 an ounce from $1,318.95 yesterday, when prices rose to $1,324.61, the highest since March 24.

WTI Heads for Weekly Gain Amid Speculation Of Increased U.S. Fuel Demand

West Texas Intermediate headed for a weekly gain amid speculation that U.S. fuel demand will increase as employment recovers. The discount to Brent decreased to the lowest since September after Libya signaled that it ready to boost crude exports. There are reasonable grounds for an ongoing improvement in the U.S. labor market in the next month or two which is good for demand and oil, with predictions that investors may sell West Texas contracts if prices rise to $105.20 a barrel. The other driving factor for oil is Libya and the negotiations about whether they’re going to restore some of their capacity. WTI for May delivery was at $103.06 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 34 cents. The volume of all futures traded was about 40 percent below the 100-day average. Prices have advanced 4.7 percent this year.

Google Glass Available To Buy Next Week

Google has announced that its Glass product will be available for purchase in the U.S. next week with interested consumers being able to buy online from April 15. Any adult in the US can become an Explorer by visiting the Google site and purchasing Glass for $1,500. Google Glass is available in various shades and frames. The tech giant said the number of spots in its newly extended Glass Explorer Program are limited. The product is currently not available outside of the U.S. but it will be interesting to observe initial user feedback and the reaction from the markets.

That sums up today’s highlights! Don’t forget to keep in touch with all the latest news and events for the day via our social media channels. We hope you have a profitable day on the markets.

Fed Outlook: Geopolitical Concerns, Rates Set To Rise

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the markets:

Main Trading Event Of The Day: Several today including USD FOMC Statement @ 18.00 GMT & GBP Annual Budget Release @ 12.30 GMT

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

Fed Outlook: Geopolitical Concerns, Rates Could Rise At Turn Of The Year

Janet Yellen will chair the FOMC today with wide agreement on Wall Street over the outlook for policy this year and a forecast for stronger U.S. growth this year and next. There are some divisions over what happens to Federal Reserve policy in 2015 with a cloud of geopolitical concern hanging over the outlook but most analysts see the Fed tapering at the meeting today and at each of the remaining meetings this year. On average, analysts see the Fed tapering by around $10 billion at each meeting. The Fed currently is purchasing $65 billion in assets every month to try and drive down interest rates and stimulate the economy. It has signaled it would reduce or taper its purchases by $10 billion at each meeting this year, which would effectively end its purchase program by December. However, investors pricing in a federal funds rate hike in mid-2015 could get caught off guard, according to former Federal Reserve Governor, Robert Heller. Heller believes that markets will force the Fed to tighten a little bit earlier than that, probably around the turn of the year as we approach 2015, which is around the time that the tapering operation should be finished. The Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate near zero since 2008, when a global financial crisis that plunged financial markets into turmoil. As the Fed now unwinds its massive stimulus program and the U.S. economy recovers, markets anticipate an interest rate increase to follow not too long after the end of tapering. According to Heller, as investors become more become more bullish about the domestic recovery, yields on U.S. government bonds will be pushed higher, encouraging the Fed to follow suit. Other factors being taken into consideration are the recent weak U.S. economic data due to extreme weather conditions and new economic risks on the horizon, particularly China and Ukraine. Nevertheless, the general feeling is that Wall Street is reasonably comfortable with its outlook for Fed policy.

FOMC Statement/Press Conference @ 18.00 GMT

UK Budget 2014: Osborne Supporting A Resilient Economy

George Osborne will set out his plans to support a “resilient” economy in today’s Budget, which will be focused on boosting economic security and aspiration. The budget comes against a backdrop of a strengthening economic recovery, with unemployment and inflation falling and growth this year projected to be the among the strongest of any Western economy. Business groups have forecast that the UK’s total economic output will exceed its pre-recession peak in the second quarter of 2014 after the economy grew by 1.9% in 2013. Osborne is expected to address the UK’s historic economic weaknesses, particularly the need to increase manufacturing output and improve the UK’s balance of payments by boosting exports. He is also expected the chancellor to unveil schemes, incentives and tax breaks for some businesses. Alongside details of proposed tax and spending changes, Osborne will announce the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest forecasts for economic growth and government borrowing for the years ahead. Deficit reduction remains his number one priority, with the ultimate goal of delivering an annual budget surplus before 2020.

Stocks: Google To Launch New Smartwatch Platform

Google announced earlier this week that smartwatches based on its Android mobile software will be available later this year, enlisting a variety of partners including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Intel, signaling the company’s intent to play a leading role in what could be the next big computing market. Android Wear will allow people to speak into their watches to check sports scores, control music, send replies to text messages and even open their home garages. By aligning itself with a broad spectrum of partners to develop the smartwatches, Google is hoping to replicate the success that helped make its free Android software the most popular smartphone operating system, analysts said. Many believe wearable computers represent the next big shift in technology. More than 130 million smart wearable devices are predicted to ship by 2018.

That sums up today’s highlights! It’s a busy day on the markets so make sure you keep up to date with all the events via our Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn pages.

We hope you have a profitable day on the markets!

Just A Minute!

Here’s today’s ‘Just A Minute’ bringing you a 60 second summary of what’s happening in the markets:

Main Trading Events Of The Day: USD Existing Home Sales @ 15.00 GMT

Earnings Reports: N/A

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING TODAY

U.S. New Home Building Plunges As Existing Home Sales Due To Disappoint

U.S. new home construction - housing starts - recorded their biggest drop in almost three years in January, probably weighed down by harsh weather, but the third month of declines in permits pointed to some underlying weakness in the housing market. The Commerce Department said starts plunged 16% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 880,000 units, the lowest level since September. The percentage drop was the largest since February 2011. Starts for December were revised up to a 1.05 million-unit pace from the previously reported 999,000-unit rate. Economists had expected starts to fall to a 950,000-unit rate in January. Freezing temperatures have been blamed for the sharp slowdown in hiring in December and January although there is evidence that the economy was already losing momentum towards the end of the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, January’s existing home sales are due to be reported today are expected to show a decline of 3.5 percent to 4.7 million. Stocks rallied Thursday and bonds fell, as investors ignored a weak report from the Philadelphia Fed, which showed a plunge in new orders and a surprise contraction in manufacturing activity. Analysts believe that there is a choppy picture in the very short term but housing is basically in good, solid shape from an intermediate point of view, and that with fairly moderate mortgage rates – assuming the economy starts to come back in the spring, a lot of the pent up demand for housing may get stronger as hiring picks up.

China’s Stocks Fall as Yuan Weakens

China’s stocks fell the most in six weeks, while the yuan headed for its biggest weekly slide since 2011 as a manufacturing slowdown fuelled concerns the economic expansion is weakening. Analysts believe the market is worried that the government may tolerate a bigger decline in economic growth amid the restructuring of the economy. The yuan dropped 0.3 percent today to 6.0837 per dollar, extending this week’s loss to 0.8 percent. The currency fell 0.1 percent to 6.089.

In the meantime, as finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of 20 (G20) gather ahead of a weekend meeting in Sydney, the world’s rich nations pushed back against emerging market complaints about the spillover effects of their monetary policies, saying that they had to get their own houses in order and get on with the agenda of lifting global growth. Emerging nations want the U.S. Federal Reserve to calibrate its winding down of stimulus so as to mitigate the impact on their economies. Developed members reply that the troubles in the emerging world are mostly homegrown and domestic interest rates have to be set with domestic recoveries in mind. That was a sentiment very much echoed by the finance ministers of Japan, Britain and Germany. The head of the U.S. Treasury called on China, Japan and Europe to make domestic demand the engine room of growth.

Google Announces Project Tango, A Smartphone That Can Map The World Around It

Google has just announced, under a new initiative called Project Tango, a prototype Android smartphone that can learn and map the world around it. Google says that the phone will learn the dimension of rooms and spaces just by being moved around inside of them. Walking around your bedroom, for example, would help the phone learn the shape of your home. Google hopes that by creating a robust map of the world, the phone could eventually give precise directions to any given point that needs to be reached. The goal of Project Tango is to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion. Google has 200 devices that it’s preparing to give out to developers who want to build mapping tools, games, and new algorithms that take advantage of the phone’s sensors, and it expects to send them all out by March 14th. Google stresses that the technology is still in early stages, but it still sees it as on the way to reaching millions of people down the road. Watch out for a major rollout in the future!

That sums up today’s highlights! We hope you have a profitable day on the markets.

Google Gets Smarter And So Should You

Welcome to your future home of app-controlled devices! Google’s recent purchase of Nest Labs brings the world of smart home devices one step closer to reality. Following the announcement of this acquisition, Google stock rose 0.53%. Google’s recent string of purchases contribute to its single vision of connecting previously unrelated items to control and monitor all aspects of everyday life. It is estimated that the global market for connected home products could be worth $40 bln in the next five to seven years and the potential for growth in this market is phenomenal. In his latest article, Oren Laurent gives an overview into how the industry as a whole offers several great investment opportunities. Read more…

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