** US & ASIAN WRAP **
** US MARKETS **
Dow -0,35%; Nasdaq -0,86%; S&P -0,6%; Soxx -0,2%; Russel2k -1,28%; DJAIG 0,52%;
10yr Bond -0,01%; 10yr Yield 4,71%; Crude future 62,4; Gold 552,77
| Telecom 0,13%| Energy -0,19%| ConsStaples -0,38%| ConsDisc -0,51%| Technology
-0,54%| Industrials -0,55%| Healthcare -0,71%| Financials -0,9%| Utilities
-0,97%| Materials -1,21%
** ASIAN MARKETS **
Nikkei -0,78%; Kospi -2,01%; HSI -0,53%; Taiwan -1,03%; China 0,07%; India
-0,07%; Thailand -0,34%; Australia 0,45%
** HEADLINES **
- GM to Increase SUV Production After Sales Exceed Company’s Expectations
- Sanofi, Bristol Myers Shares May Advance After Plavix Patent Settlement
- Dollar May Strengthen on Speculation U.S. Interest Rates Will Keep Rising
- Sun Microsystems Starts Pay-Per-Use Computing Service Online in the U.S.
- Microsoft to Delay Release of Next Windows Program to Consumers Until 2007
- Nike Profit Rises 19 Percent as New Air Max 360, Kobe Shoe Lift U.S. Sales
- Bernanke Says Congress Should Review Loophole Allowing Bank-Commerce Mixes
- Kookmin Plans to Buy $6.2 Billion Korea Exchange Stake in Biggest Takeover
- Asian Stocks Drop, Led by Samsung Electronics on Microsoft Windows Delay
- Indonesia’s Bumi Will Start Talks with Sasol for $3 Billion Coal Plant
- Nissan Earnings to Be `Very Strong’ in Next Year’s Second Half, Ghosn Says
- Seiko Epson Predicts 10 Percent Drop in Inkjet Printer Shipments Next Year
- Samsung, Hynix Shares Fall After Microsoft Delays New Version of Windows
** US AFTER HOURS **
- Nike (after hours -0.72%) released earnings of $1.24 per share. Total revenues
rose 9% year/year to $3.6 bln (consensus $3.53 bln). Co reported worldwide
futures order growth for athletic footwear and apparel growth, excluding
currency effects, of 5.4% vs. expected growth of 7-8% for March 06 through July
06, totaling $5.4 bln. By region, futures orders for the U.S. increased 6% vs.
+6-9% street expectation; Europe (including the Middle East and Africa) declined
2% vs. +0-2% street expectations; Asia Pacific grew 5% vs. 6-9% street
expectations; and the Americas increased 10% vs. 14-16% street expectations.
- Sanofi-Aventis (+6% after hours) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (+8% after hours)
announced that they have reached an agreement subject to certain conditions with
Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. to settle the patent infringement lawsuit pending
between the parties. The trial in the lawsuit had previously been scheduled to
begin in June 2006. As a result of the agreement, the Court has now suspended
the trial date pending the possible finalization of the proposed settlement.
** IN PLAY TODAY **
Morgan Stanley and Fedex reported before the US opening bell. Adobe will post
quartely results after the market close.