Morning News: Microsoft, Amazon, Zynga, Newell Rubbermaid, Legg Mason

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Stocks that are expected to trade actively in U.S. markets on Friday include: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA), Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL), Legg Mason Inc (NYSE:LM).market news Morning News

Market Level

U.S.:  DJIA 15509.21 (0.62%), S&P 500 1,752.07 (0.33%), NASDAQ 3,928.96 (0.56%).

Europe: FTSE 6,711.69 (-0.02%), DAX 8,971.11 (-0.11%), CAC 40 4,262.09 (-0.32%).

Asia Pacific: NIKKEI 14088.19 (-2.75%), SHANGHAI 2,132.96 (-1.45%), HSI 22698.34(-0.60%), ASX 200 5,386.35 (0.25%), KOSPI 2034.39 (-0.60%).

Commodities: Oil 97.44 (0.34%), NAT GAS 3.603 (-0.72%), Gold 1,343.30 (-0.52%), Silver 22.465 (-1.56%), Wheat 701.50 (0.72%), Corn 441.75 (0.34%).

Currency: EUR/USD 1.3795 (-0.03%), GBP/USD 1.6191 (-0.06%), USD/JPY 97.23 (-0.04%).

10 year Treasury bond: 2.514 (-0.012).

Market & Economic Update

U.S. market awaits data: U.S. stock-index futures were almost flat on Friday, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index near record high, as investors anxiously wait for the data on consumer confidence  and durable-goods orders. At 10:54 a.m. in London, the S&P 500 (SPX) futures for December were down 0.1% to 1,747.3.

European market stable: Shares on the European exchange were stable on Friday after many companies’ earnings were affected by an adverse exchange rate, thereby arousing investors to lock in profits at the end of third straight week of market gain. At 1002 GMT, FTSEurofirst 300 lost 0.1% to 1,285.25 points, which is 10 points the below the 5-year highs touched a few days back.

Asian markets down: Nikkei suffered its biggest one day loss in 2-1/2 after months on Friday, due to the yen’s appreciation against the dollar, and as fear gripped investors that heavy conditions in China could stop the world’s second largest economy. Nikkei fell 2.8 percent to 14,088.19, its lowest closing level since Oct. 9. On Friday, shares on the Hong Kong exchange were the lowest in seven weeks due to fear of tighter money conditions in China. The Hang Seng Index was down at 0.6% at 22,698.3 points, its lowest close since Sept. 6.

Stocks in News

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

After Thursday’s closing session, Microsoft reported the fiscal first quarter profit, which jumped to 62 cents a share from 53 cents a share a year before. The software conglomerate’s shares increased over 5% in after hours trading.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

On late Thursday, Amazon reported its third quarter net loss of 9 cents a share from a loss of 60 cents a share a year before while revenue saw an increase of 24% to $17.09 billion. Shares of Amazon climbed to 7.8% in after hours trading.

Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA)

Zynga posted a loss of $68,000 in the third quarter, in comparison to a loss of $52.7 million a year ago. The gaming firm reported a loss of 7 cents a share on a per share basis. Excluding some items, the social game maker lost 2 cents a share in the quarter, beating the analysts’ expectation of a loss of 4 cents a share. Shares of Zynga decreased over 9% in after hours trading.

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL)

Newell Rubbermaid will post its quarterly earnings today. Analysts expect the company to post earnings of $0.49 per share on revenues of $1.50 billion. Newell Rubbermaid has provided a guidance of $1.80-1.84 EPS.

Legg Mason Inc (NYSE:LM)

Legg Mason will be reporting its second quarter results today. On average, analysts expect the company to post a profit 93 cents a share compared to 75 cents per share a year ago.

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