European Stocks Drop as Ukraine Clashes With Russian Separatists

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European stocks declined, paring their third weekly gain, as Ukrainian forces clashed with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

Software AG slid 2.1 percent after first-quarter sales missed analysts�� estimates. Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc rallied the most since January 2012 after saying quarterly profit tripled and impairments fell. Deutsche Telekom AG, which owns two-thirds of T-Mobile US Inc., added 1.1 percent as people familiar with the matter said Sprint Corp. may bid for the American mobile-phone operator.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index retreated 0.2 percent to 337.76 at the close of trading, paring its advance this week to 1.3 percent. The benchmark briefly rose as much as 0.2 percent today as a report showed the U.S. economy created jobs at a faster-than-estimated rate last month. Western-European markets, with the exception of the U.K., Ireland and Denmark, were closed yesterday for the May Day holiday.

European equities fell as Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov said that forces loyal to the acting government in Kiev have killed, wounded or captured many pro-Russian separatists during an operation in the east of the country.

Copy Source : Bloomberg

Asian Stocks Advance for Second Day After U.S. Payrolls Surge

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Asian stocks rose for a second day amid low trading volumes after data showed U.S. payrolls climbed the most in two years last month and the jobless rate fell.

The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index gained 0.1 percent to 476.10 at 9:31 a.m. in Hong Kong, following three weeks of losses. Markets in Japan and South Korea are closed today and tomorrow for holidays.

Australia S&P/ASX 200 Index and Hong Kong Hang Seng Index were little changed. New Zealand NZX 50 Index slid 0.5 percent. Futures on the Standard & Poor 500 Index were little changed.

U.S. employers added 288,000 workers in April, marking the biggest upside surprise in the payrolls data since February 2012. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicted an increase of 218,000.

The jobless rate dropped to 6.3 percent, the lowest level since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

The HSBC Holdings Plc/Markit Economics Ltd. gauge of China manufacturing will probably confirm a final April reading of 48.4, up from a preliminary reading of 48.3, while still signaling contraction.

An official gauge of April factory output released last week came in at a lower-than-projected level of 50.4, from 50.3 in March.

Source : Bloomberg

U.S. Stocks Retreat as Ukraine Tensions Overshadow Jobs Report

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U.S. stocks fell, after an earlier rally sent the Standard & Poor��s 500 Index above its closing record, as concern about escalating tension in Ukraine overshadowed data showing payrolls rose the most in two years.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent to 1,881.07 at 4 p.m. in New York, after rallying 0.4 percent earlier to climb above its highest closing level reached April 2. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 46.3 points, or 0.3 percent, to 16,512.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index was little changed. Trading in S&P 500 stocks was 11 percent below the 30-day average at this time of day.

The United Nations Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at Russia��s request. Tensions rose in Ukraine as the country sent armored vehicles and artillery to retake Slovyansk, a stronghold for pro-separatist forces, defying President Vladimir Putin��s demand to pull back troops with Russia��s army massed across the border.

Source : Bloomberg

Most Asian Stocks Fall as Investors Await U.S. Payrolls Report

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Most Asian stocks fell as investors weighed corporate earnings before the release of U.S. non-farm payrolls today.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed at 137.99 as of 9:04 a.m, with two stocks falling for each that rose. The gauge is heading for its second weekly decline after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing increased less than economists projected. While a report yesterday showed jobless claims in the U.S. jumped to a nine-week high, employment data due today is expected to show an improving labor market.

Japans Topix index slipped 0.1 percent. South Korea��s Kospi index rose 0.2 percent as it reopened after a holiday. Australia��s S&P/ASX 200 Index lost 0.1 percent and New Zealand��s NZX 50 Index added 0.1 percent. Markets in mainland China are closed for a holiday, while Hong Kong, which has yet to start trading, reopens after the May Day holiday.

Companies from Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. to Sembcorp Marine Ltd. are due to release results today. Sony Corp., maker of Xperia smartphones and PlayStation consoles yesterday reported an annual loss that was larger than forecast, while Wynn Macau Ltd., controlled by billionaire Steve Wynn, posted first-quarter profit that beat analyst estimates.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index traded at 12.6 times estimated earnings yesterday, compared with 16 for the Standard & Poors 500 Index, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Copy Source: Bloomberg