That stock News

TOKYO – Asian stock markets rose Tuesday as tensions on the Korean peninsula eased a few notches.

Investors spent the previous day worried about possible North Korean retaliation against South Korean military drills on a frontline island that was shelled by the North last month.

Instead, Pyongyang backed off threats to strike back and reportedly offered concessions on its nuclear program.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.7 percent to 10,291.68 ahead of a policy decision by the central bank. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep monetary policy unchanged at the current super loose setting after a key survey last week showed deteriorating business sentiment.

Japanese exporters climbed, with Sony Corp. up 1.7 percent and Canon Inc. adding 1 percent. Shares of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. rose 0.6 percent after the Nikkei financial daily reported that the company is in talks with Chinese carmaker Chery Autuomobile Co. to establish a joint-venture factory.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index added 1.3 percent to 22,940.58. South Korea's Kospi advanced 0.9 percent to 2,038.87 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.9 percent at 4,776.80.

China's Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9 percent to 2,877.11. Markets in Taiwan, India, and Singapore also rose.

In New York Monday, low trading volumes and a lack of economic reports kept stocks confined to a narrow range Monday. Indexes finished mixed and bond yields were barely changed.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 13.78, or 0.1 percent, to 11,478.13. The broader Standard and Poor's 500-stock index rose 3.17, or 0.3 percent, to 1,247.08. The Nasdaq composite index gained 6.59, or 0.3 percent, to finish at 2,649.56.

In currencies, the dollar slipped to 83.69 yen from 83.78 yen late Monday. The euro rose to $1.3169 from $1.3126.

Benchmark oil for February delivery rose 19 cents at $89.56 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 77 cents to settle at $89.37 on Monday.

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NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stocks tacked on further gains to push the S&P 500 to a two-year high on Monday, continuing a steady upward march investors believe will continue in 2011.

Volume was light, as is expected through the rest of 2010. Investors stayed with sectors that have led a sharp December rally, including financials, energy and materials stocks. The S&P 500 is up 5.7 percent for the month and 11.8 percent for the year.

"We have seen this year-end rally refuse to give up any ground," said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice president at BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama.

The combination of improving economic data, additional stimulus from the Federal Reserve and the extension of tax cuts was keeping equities in demand, Hellwig said.

The financial sector (.GSPF), which has lagged the broader market, was up 0.4 percent as some investors bet the sector could be among the leaders next year after a strong December.

However, American Express (AXP.N) tumbled 3.4 percent to $42.50 after Stifel Nicolaus downgraded the stock to "hold" from "buy."

Boeing Co (BA.N) also kept gains in check. The stock was down 2.7 percent to $63.27 after the Seattle Times newspaper said a delivery delay could be announced for the plane maker's 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) dipped 13.78 points, or 0.12 percent, to 11,478.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) added 3.17 points, or 0.25 percent, to 1,247.08. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) rose 6.59 points, or 0.25 percent, to 2,649.56.

U.S. markets will be closed on Friday to observe the Christmas Day holiday on Saturday.

Energy shares led the way up as the price of oil rose nearly 1 percent in choppy trading. Chevron (CVX.N) added 0.4 percent to $88.88.

Amazon.com (AMZN.O) helped boost the Nasdaq on optimism the company will benefit from improved holiday spending. According to research firm comScore, U.S. online sales are up 12 percent to $27.5 billion so far this season compared with a year ago.

Shares of Amazon gained 3.2 percent to $183.29, while the S&P consumer discretionary sector (.GSPD) was up 0.6 percent.

Amex shares are down 7.8 percent since last Thursday when the Federal Reserve proposed limiting debit interchange fees at 12 cents per transaction.

Stifel said the company is increasingly exposed as a cut in fees "will significantly increase pressure on higher-cost payments alternatives like Amex."

Nick Kalivas, senior equity index analyst at MF Global in Chicago, said some of the optimism over the financial sector was sapped by last week's proposal.

"There was the feeling there could be some opportunities in the banks and I think the interchange (proposal) cooled that," said Kalivas.

Food and beverage company Sara Lee Corp (SLE.N) has been in talks to sell itself to Brazilian meat producer JBS (JBSS3.SA), but the two companies are at odds over price, a source said. Sara Lee shares rose 2.5 percent to $17.69.

About 6.37 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, well below last year's estimated daily average of 9.65 billion.

Declining stocks slightly outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by 1,534 to 1,482, while on the Nasdaq, decliners beat advancers 1,383 to 1,273.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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LONDON (AFP) – Stocks rose in quiet deals on Monday, with many traders away for the Christmas holidays, but British Airways shares were hit by freezing weather and travel chaos at London Heathrow airport.

The FTSE 100 added 0.51 percent to 5,901.70 points

"We seem to be drifting slowly higher, but I think unless we convincingly break 5,900 points in the FTSE, we may see the rally fizzle out as the impact the snow disruption is having starts to hit the economy," said Spread Co. trader Rajesh Patel.

British Airways shares, meanwhile, dived 1.15 percent to 267.1 pence as investors fretted about the financial impact of severe travel disruption.

Hundreds of Christmas travellers faced a third day stranded at Heathrow airport on Monday as icy conditions sparked a fresh round of flight delays and cancellations.

"British Airways had a cool start to the week thanks to the snow disruptions, but utilities and energy companies such as Centrica, National Grid and Scottish & Southern Energy had a warm glow about them thanks to the demand brought on by the cold snap," added Patel.

Over the weekend, heavy snow and thick ice all but closed Heathrow, the busiest international passenger air hub in the world, and forced holidaymakers to set up camp at the airport on Saturday night.

"The latest and heavier dose of severe weather is bad news for the UK economy," noted IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer.

"There will be a hit to the revenues and profits of the airlines, freight companies and other transport providers as airports are periodically shut and the transport system is gridlocked."

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LONDON (AFP) – London shares ended lower on Friday as Moody's slashed its credit rating on Ireland and new figures on Spanish debt were released.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.16 percent at 5,871.75 points.

Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) was the most traded stock, seeing 292 million shares switch owners, followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland which saw 233 million units change hands.

Software firm Autonomy Corp Group was the top blue-chip performer, adding 78 pence -- or 5.32 percent -- to end at 1,543 followed by Man Group, which rose 6.50 pence -- or 2.26 percent -- to finish at 294.

Drugs company Astrazeneca brought up the rear, shedding 212 pence -- or 6.72 percent -- to end at 2941, followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland which was down 2.3 pence -- or 5.73 percent -- at 37.82.

Meanwhile, the pound fell against the dollar and the euro.

At 17:06 GMT, sterling was trading at 1.548 dollars, down from 1.560 the same time on Thursday, while the currency fell to 1.176 euros from 1.181 over the same period.

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Shares of Gain Capital Holdings are falling in their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The stock is selling for $8.70 in midday trading, down 30 cents from its initial public offering price of $9.

The Bedminster, N.J., company is an online foreign exchange trading platform for retail customers. Its IPO of 9 million shares generated gross proceeds of $81 million. But it was priced below a range of $13 to $15 per share that the company expected.

Gain Capital offered 407,692 shares and selling stockholders offered about 8.6 million. Underwriters also have an option to buy more than 1.3 million additional shares to cover excess demand.

The stock trades under the ticker symbol "GCAP."

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LONDON (AFP) – London shares ended in the red on Thursday as debt concerns continued to plague investor sentiments.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.2 percent at 5,881.12 points.

Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) was the most traded stock, seeing 83 million shares switch owners, followed by Vodafone which saw 66.3 million units change hands.

Serco Group was the top blue-chip performer, adding 23.50 pence -- or 4.10 percent -- to end at 597, followed by GKN, which rose 6.30 pence -- or 3.04 percent -- to finish at 213.8.

Antofagasta brought up the rear, shedding 32 pence -- or 2.05 percent -- to end at 1528, followed by Fresnillo which was down 30 pence -- or 1.93 percent -- at 1525.

Meanwhile, the pound rose against the dollar and the euro.

At 17:05 GMT, sterling was trading at 1.5601 dollars, climbing from 1.5544 from the same time on Wednesday, while the currency reached 1.1814 euros, ascending from 1.1764 over the same period.

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NEW YORK – Shares of trucking company Swift Transportation Co. are sliding in their debut on the New York Stock Exchange.

The stock of Phoenix-based Swift lost 4 cents to $10.96 in afternoon trading. Swift priced 73.3 million shares in an initial public offering at $11 apiece, below its estimated range of $13 to $15 each.

Swift is the biggest truckload carrier in North America, and operates 16,200 tractors, most of them company-owned. It is run by founder and CEO Jerry Moyes, who took it private in 2007.

Trucking companies have been struggling during the recession. Swift booked a net loss of $77.1 million through the first nine months of this year, but the company said the freight market is improving.

The stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol "SWFT."

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TOKYO – Asian shares were mixed Friday as markets struggled to find direction despite encouraging news about the U.S. economy.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average slipped 0.1 percent to 10,300.86 amid concerns the market may have risen too far recently. The Nikkei has gained about 5 percent over the last month.

The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.2 percent to 2,891.83 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.2 percent to 4,774.7.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index added 0.2 percent to 22,711.43 and South Korea's Kospi rose 0.7 percent to 2,023.96. Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand also advanced.

In Tokyo, shares of Sharp Corp. rose 2.9 percent. The Nikkei financial daily reported before the market opened that the company plans to open a new plant to build LCD panels for smartphones, mainly for Apple's iPhone.

In Australia, miners fell on lackluster metals prices. BHP Billiton Ltd. lost 0.5 percent, while rival Rio Tinto Ltd. was down more than 1 percent.

In New York Thursday, a small drop in unemployment claims helped push stocks higher. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at their highest levels of the year.

The Labor Department said first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to 420,000, the third drop in four weeks.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 41.78, or 0.4 percent, to 11,499.25. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7.64, or 0.6 percent, to 1,242.87. The Nasdaq composite rose 20.09, or 0.8, to 2,637.31.

In currencies, the dollar fell to 83.88 yen from 83.92 yen late Thursday. The euro rose to $1.3285 from $1.3243.

Benchmark oil for January delivery was up 52 cents at $88.22 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract lost 92 cents to settle at $87.70 on Thursday.

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LONDON (AFP) – The European single currency and stock markets fell sharply on Wednesday after Moody's rating agency placed Spain on review for a possible downgrade, refocusing attention on the eurozone debt crisis.

The euro plunged as low as 1.3286 dollars in early morning deals, compared with 1.3375 dollars late in New York on Tuesday.

And the shared eurozone unit tumbled to a record low point against Switzerland's safe-haven currency, hitting 1.2759 Swiss francs.

"News that Moody's has put Spain's debt rating on review has knocked the euro," said Rabobank analyst Jane Foley.

"The news plays on fears that contagion could extend to the Spanish bond market, though it does not enlighten the market much further with respect to the underlying issues with respect to Spain."

The Madrid stock market dived 2.01 percent, Frankfurt dropped 0.72 percent, London shed 0.37 percent and Paris fell 0.84 percent.

Moody's announced it could cut Spain's credit rating again because of heavy debt refinancing needs for the year ahead, banking problems and high-spending regions.

"Moody's believes that the ... downside risks warrant putting Spain's rating under review for downgrade," top Spain analyst Kathrin Muehlbronner said in a statement.

"However, Moody's also wants to stress that it continues to view Spain as a much stronger credit than other stressed eurozone countries ... Moody's review will therefore most likely conclude that Spain's rating will remain in the Aa range."

The agency cut Spain's sovereign debt rating from Aaa to Aa1 in September, adding to the pressures on Madrid and the wider eurozone.

In response, the Spanish government said it aimed to convince Moody's over the next three months to abandon the threatened downgrade.

Wednesday's grim news comes one day after Standard & Poor's lowered its outlook for Belgium from stable to negative.

"The euro tested back below 1.33 dollars after Moody's said it may downgrade Spain's credit rating, reminding the markets that S&P had done the same with Belgium 24 hours before," said analyst Ilya Spivak at trading website Daily FX.

The developments have rattled investors ahead of a European summit on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, where EU leaders will seek to hammer out proposals for a permanent rescue mechanism for debt-ridden nations.

Later on Wednesday, Ireland's parliament will vote on a 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) EU-IMF bailout, which comes hot on the heels of the rescue of debt-plagued Greece in May.

Asian equities meanwhile reacted sluggishly on Wednesday to overnight gains in New York, with Tokyo held back by a downturn in Japanese business confidence.

Wall Street climbed higher on Tuesday after a decision by the US Federal Reserve to maintain near-zero interest rates and a 600-billion-dollar asset purchase programme.

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BG Group
￡ 1.303
Questor says HOLD

According to the estimates of resources for these fields, three floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) ships which are at the two sites are expected to recover the total gross reserves of approximately 2 2bn barrels equivalent oil (Sen). Part of the BG Group is about 600 m net special educational needs.

The first FPSO Tupi field has a production capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and to the standards m cubic 177 feet per day (mmscfd). Production began in October.

The company also observes that producing hydrocarbon reservoirs, characteristics should be cheap, with the cost of $5 per barrel in capital and the operating costs of $9 per barrel. With oil prices looks set to increase over the next few years – or at least remain at high levels - it is very cheap.

The shares are trading on earnings from December 2010 multiple times 17.4 with just 0 9pc yield dividend. Actions have been first recommended to ￡ 10 January 5 and they are compared with the FTSE 100 up 26pc 32pc.

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LONDON (AFP) – London shares finished lower on Wednesday after two days of gains despite US futures coming off lows on Wall Street.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares ended 0.24 percent down at 5,794.53.

Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) was the most traded stock, seeing 156 million shares switch owners, followed by Vodafone which saw 72.2 million units change hands.

Medical devices company Smith and Nephew was the top blue-chip performer, adding 55 pence -- or 9.06 percent -- to end at 662, followed by security group G4S, which rose 11.3 pence -- or 4.75 percent -- to finish at 249.4.

Real estate group Capital Shopping Centres brought up the rear, shedding 21.8 pence -- or 5.34 percent -- to end at 386.2, followed by silver miner Fresnillo which was down 78 pence -- or 4.86 percent -- at 1,527.

Meanwhile, the pound rose against the euro while staying flat against the euro.

At 17:04 GMT, sterling was trading at 1.579 dollars, unchanged from the same time on Tuesday, while the currency reached 1.193 euros, up from 1.187 over the same period.

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TOKYO – Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday, with a softer yen giving exporters a lift in Tokyo.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.9 percent to 10,232.19 as the dollar climbed above the 83-yen line. Investors bought exporters including car and electronics makers.

South Korea's Kospi added 0.2 percent to 10,232.19, and New Zealand's benchmark rose 0.5 percent to 3,296.84.

Meanwhile, Australian shares lost ground, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.2 percent to 4,718.4.

In New York Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 3 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 11,359.16. It had been up as many as 89 points before turning lower in the afternoon as enthusiasm over a deal to extend U.S. tax cuts faded.

The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.6, or 0.05 percent, to 1,223.75. The Nasdaq composite index rose 3.6, or 0.1 percent, to 2,598.49.

In currencies, the dollar rose to 83.65 yen from 83.45 yen late Tuesday. The euro rose to $1.3268 from $1.3259.

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TOKYO – Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday, with a softer yen giving exporters a lift in Tokyo.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.9 percent to 10,232.19 as the dollar climbed above the 83-yen line. Investors bought exporters including car and electronics makers.

South Korea's Kospi added 0.2 percent to 10,232.19, and New Zealand's benchmark rose 0.5 percent to 3,296.84.

Meanwhile, Australian shares lost ground, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.2 percent to 4,718.4.

In New York Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 3 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 11,359.16. It had been up as many as 89 points before turning lower in the afternoon as enthusiasm over a deal to extend U.S. tax cuts faded.

The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.6, or 0.05 percent, to 1,223.75. The Nasdaq composite index rose 3.6, or 0.1 percent, to 2,598.49.

In currencies, the dollar rose to 83.65 yen from 83.45 yen late Tuesday. The euro rose to $1.3268 from $1.3259.

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HOUSTON – Shares of Targa Resources Corp. are surging in their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The stock climbed more than 10 percent, or $2.30, to $24.30 in Tuesday morning trading. The Houston company priced its initial public offering at $22 per share, higher than the range of $19 to $21 that it expected.

Targa owns general and limited partner interests in natural gas company Targa Resources Partners LP. The company is selling about 16.4 million shares, up from an original plan of 13.8 million shares. Underwriters have a 30-day option to buy another 2.5 million shares.

Targa has said in Securities and Exchange Commission filings that all shares will be sold by its existing stockholders, and it will not receive proceeds from the offering.

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LONDON (AFP) – London shares finished up Tuesday on the back of solid performances in the basic resources sector, building on gains made a day earlier.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 0.66 percent at 5,808.45 points.

Lloyds Banking Group (LGB) was the most traded stock, seeing 152 million shares switch owners, followed by Vodafone which saw 108 million units change hands.

African Barrick was the top blue-chip performer, adding 34.5 pence -- or 6.1 percent -- to end at 600 pence, followed by Resolution which rose 11.4 pence -- or 5.3 percent -- to finish at 226.4 pence.

ICAP led the fallers, shedding 1.7 percent -- or 9 pence -- to end at 519 pence, followed by Aggreko which was down 25 pence -- or 1.6 percent -- at 1538 pence.

Meanwhile, the pound rose against the dollar and the euro.

At 17:04 GMT, sterling was trading at 1.579, up from 1.568 dollars at the same time on Monday, while the currency stood at 1.187 euros, up from 1.181 over the same period.

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BEIJING – Global stocks were mixed Monday after U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed might buy more bonds, while a stronger yen weighed on Japanese exporters.

Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.1 percent to 10,167.23. Exporters including automakers lost ground after a disappointing U.S. jobs report Friday weakened the dollar, which would make Japanese exports more expensive abroad.

China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.5 percent to 2,587.17.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 lost 0.4 percent to 5,745.32, while Germany's DAX gained 0.2 percent to 6,962.84. France's CAC40 was unchanged at 3,750.43.

South Korea's Kospi fell 0.2 percent to 1,953.64, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped .12 percent to 4,688.6. Benchmarks in New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan advanced.

Asian investors were encouraged after Bernanke said the U.S. central bank is prepared to buy even more than $600 billion in Treasury bonds over the next eight months if necessary to boost economic growth. That might trigger an influx of money into the markets of developing Asian economies as investors seek better returns.

Hopes for such a move "will have a good impact, at least in sentiment, because there would be further `hot money' that will chase tangible assets," said Peter Lai, investment manager for DBS Vickers in Hong Kong.

In New York on Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average spent much of the day in the red but closed up 0.2 percent, to close at 11,382.09 — not far from its post-recession high.

The U.S. Labor Department reported November unemployment climbed to a seven-month high of 9.8 percent. Employers added just 39,000 jobs, far below what economists had forecast.

In currencies, the dollar was trading at 82.83 yen from 82.61 yen late Friday. It had hovered around the 84-yen line for most of last week before the U.S. jobs data was released. The euro stood at $1.3357 from $1.3380.

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LONDON (AFP) – The London stock exchange slumped on Friday as investors reacted to disappointing jobs data from the United States.

The FTSE 100 index lost 0.39 percent at 5,745.32 points.

Lloyds Banking Group (LGB) was the most traded stock, seeing 130 million shares switch owners, followed by Royal Bank of Scotland which saw 98.8 million units change hands.

Fresnillo was the top blue-chip performer, adding 60 pence -- or 3.98 percent -- to end at 1568 pence, followed by Johnson Matthey which rose 59 pence -- or 3.16 percent -- to finish at 1926 pence.

Man Group led the fallers, shedding 9.60 percent -- or 3.33 pence -- to end at 279.1 pence, followed by Sage Group which was down 9.20 pence -- or 3.18 percent -- at 279.8 pence.

Meanwhile, the pound rose against the dollar but lost to the euro.

At 17:04 GMT, sterling was trading at 1. 5732, down from 1.5600 dollars at the same time on Thursday, while the currency stood at 1.764 euros, up from 1.1810 over the same period.

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Mouchel? s bank consortium? Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyd's? hired Deloitte accountants, raising concerns about the company? s financial situation

In a statement, the company Board stated that "as part of… refinancing Deloitte discussions was named by banks lending Mouchel with the consent of the company to carry out a review of the limited scope".

Mouchel added that it expects that "to be completed by the time of its interim results in March 2011 and its banks refinancing remain favourable".

The statement came after The Daily Telegraph revealed that the consortium of banks – Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyd Mouchel's - loans had hired accountants, Deloitte, raising concerns about the financial situation of the company.

Passage through the lenders come after a string of Mouchel and the collapse of Connaught and the Republic of Korea, companies that were also profit warnings depending on Government contracts and affected by reductions in public sector spending.

Mouchel has approximately 180 m ￡ bank debt and the facilities of the Bank, but is currently in talks with its banks in refinancing.

Deloitte will conduct a review "targeted" rather than "full" in advance of the Mouchel refinancing. The review will focus on how severe drop in the company - which he relied - public contracts will affect the future cash flows.

David Tilston, Director of finance at Mouchel, is supposed to be "very confident" that the company will complete its refinancing by its interim results in March 2011.

Mouchel crumpled sharing 11? to 66 percent.

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BEIJING – Most Asian stock markets fell Wednesday amid worries about Europe's debt problems, Korean tensions and disappointing growth in Australia.

Oil prices rose above $84 a barrel amid the release of surveys showing China's manufacturing boom accelerated in November.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index was down less than 0.1 percent to 9,935.86, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost 0.4 percent to 22,927.99, and the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.3 percent to 2,812.31.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.3 percent at 4,570.4 after data showed the country's gross domestic product expanded just 0.2 percent in the third quarter from the previous three months.

"Trading is sluggish today. Investors are on the sidelines waiting to see what happens in Korea and the European debt situation," said Linus Yip, a strategist in Hong Kong for First Shanghai Securities.

In China, investors were watching for a possible rate hike to cool inflation, which might slow rapid growth and rein in liquidity that is helping to support share prices.

"At this point, it's a psychological effect on the market," though a rate hike would be "not so damaging," Yip said. "Overall, for mainland China and the Hong Kong market, the outlook is still positive."

Among a handful of gainers, South Korea's Kospi rose 0.7 percent to 1,918.59 as jitters over sporadic skirmishes between the two Koreas eased. Market benchmarks in Taiwan and Bombay also were up.

Meanwhile, surveys released Wednesday showed China's manufacturing recovery accelerated in November. China is a major importer of oil and other raw materials, and stronger manufacturing could help to boost global demand.

The state-affiliated China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said its purchasing managers index, or PMI, rose to 55.2 last month from 54.7 in October and 53.8 in September on a 100-point scale where numbers above 50 indicate rising activity.

A competing index, the HSBC China Manufacturing PMI rose to an eight-month high of 55.3 percent in November, up from 54.8 percent in October.

In New York on Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 46.47, or 0.4 percent, to close at 11,006.02.

The Dow was down earlier but recovered some of its losses after President Barack Obama and Republican lawmakers promised to seek a compromise before the end of the year on extending tax cuts adopted during the presidency of George W. Bush.

Some comfort emerged with the news that consumer confidence in the U.S. ratcheted up in November ahead of the crucial Christmas buying season, another sign that the recovery in the world's largest economy is picking up pace.

The Conference Board reported that its main U.S. consumer confidence index rose to a five-month high of 54.1, from a revised 49.9 in October. Analysts were expecting a far more modest rise to 52.

Sentiment dragged as investors sold off government bonds from Spain, Portugal and Italy. The bailout of Ireland's banks has failed to assuage worries that other weak European economies will also need to be rescued.

The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.6 percent, to 1,180.55 and the Nasdaq composite index dropped 1.1 percent, to 2,498.23.

Benchmark oil for January delivery rose 7 cents to $84.18 a barrel at midday Kuala Lumpur time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.62 to settle at $84.11 on Tuesday.

In currencies, the dollar fell to 83.48 from 83.92 late Monday. The euro slid to $1.3008 from $1.3039.

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But rather than covet after goods, how about owning a small part of the companies behind them instead of this? Luxury products are an excellent way to tap into new markets history, as the growing middle classes in India, the Russia and China seek the trappings of a rich lifestyle.

Sales of luxury goods have risen sharply in emerging markets - and Asian tourists make up a large part of European sales ainsi.Il currently has 89 billionaires in China - the second largest number in any country after United States - and this number is growing.

Below, we look at ten of luxury goods companies and you give their ratings according to brokers to buy, sell or to hold or Bloomberg.

PRICE 1040p
MARKET LSE (UK)

Burberry reports record profits half last week - proving that for fashion house at least, the recession is indeed more.

Profit before taxes increased by 50pc ￡ 118 million and total revenues increased by 21pc, within six months at the end of septembre.En because of the good news, Burberry hit until its dividend by 43pc 5 percent.

Stock prices increased over 130 percent since American Angela Ahrendts CEO in 2006, making Burberry the third most successful listed retailer in the UK for the past five years.

New market developments sales and digital can be credited for this increase - sales in China, the India and the Brazil increased by 46pc for six months - and will fuel more WINS in the future.

BUY 3, HOLD 19, SELL 3

PRICES p 638
LSE MARKET

Another typical British brand, Mulberry leather goods retailer saw the price of its shares by 963pc 60 percent rise in the past 17 mois.Créée in 1971 in Somerset - which always reside headquarters - the majority of bags and clothing, shoes and jewellery, now are still generally in Great Britain.

Most popular with Asian consumers as a way to buy in the style of life "English country peer", revenues increased by ￡ 58.6 the year to March 2009 ￡ 72 m.1 m from the fiscal year ending in March of this year.

Accordingly, the dividend payment was raised p 2 per share at 2.2%.

BUY SELL 2, HOLD 0 0

PRICE €120
On the market by (France)

The channel almost every brand of luxury belongs to a group mega - Mo?t Hennessy Louis Vuitton or LVMH.Dans part fashion umbrella LVMH homes nestle side of watches, perfume manufacturers, manufacturers of wines, spirits and jewellers.

Among the most comprehensive names: Donna Karan, Mo?t & Chandon, Givenchy, De Beers and TAG Heuer.

Henk Potts, Barclays Wealth, equity analyst said: "We consider LVMH as a core holding in the sector of luxury due to its strong management team brands of high quality goods and growth potential gains in addition to its recent acquisition of a stake in Hermes".

M. Potts said that investors British should not be made if a stock is listed overseas. ""Many brokers only execution including Barclays, securities brokers help you buy stocks listed overseas", he said.

BUY 23, HOLD 10, SELL 2

PRICE €59
MARKET DAX (Germany)

BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke - or as it is commonly - known has motor brands BMW, Rolls Royce and MINI.Cotées DAX, which consists of 30 largest companies blue chip the Germany traded, BMW is the world leader in the sale of premium car.

In 2009, BMW sold 1.1 million units compared to the peak of 1.3 million in 2007 - before the credit crisis.

Things look, however, and manufacturers of luxury cars are as if they the worst of the recession behind eux.Les BMW global sales rose by 13pc in the first six months of this year seulement.M.Potts said: "BMW holds a strong position to luxury, space through the roll-out of the new series of five."

BUY 28, HOLD 12, SELL 4

PRICE Sfr56
MARKET Casements (Switzerland)

You may have not heard that parent group but there is a good chance you've dreamed of owning their brands.

Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Panerai and Montblanc are all part of the group Richemont.Le group, which is listed on stock exchange Switzerland, announced last week that he nearly doubled its profit before taxes within six months at the end of September compared to the previous year, increasing from EUR 416 million to 742 million euros.

Global 37pc sales increased during this period - but sales in the Asia-Pacific rose even more with a 50pc increase.

"We have done great in all European markets except one small,"said Chief Financial Officer Gary Saage.""

"Fifty percent of sales was still travellers who [does not live] in Western Europe – but people are returning to us too."

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