Asia Currencies Rise, Led by Won, as Recovery Spurs Risk-Taking

By Lilian Karunungan and Patricia Lui

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Asian currencies rose, led by South Korea’s won and the Philippine peso, as gains in U.S. home sales and Brazil’s factory output stoked optimism a global economic recovery will boost appetite for emerging-market assets.

The won climbed for a second day as foreign investors bought more Korean stocks than they sold and the MSCI Asia- Pacific Index of shares advanced. Sales of previously owned U.S. homes increased 1 percent in December after sliding 16 percent in November, the National Association of Realtors said yesterday. Brazil’s output jumped a greater-than-expected 18.9 percent in December from a year earlier, government data showed.

“The tone in Asian currencies is a bit more supportive today as the recent macro data flow out of the U.S. has been more positive,” said Prakriti Sofat, a regional economist at Barclays Plc in Singapore. “We are seeing a bit of a breather after the recent sell-off.”

The won strengthened 0.9 percent to 1,149.25 per dollar as of the 3 p.m. close in Seoul, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It reached this year’s low of 1,174.90 two days ago. The peso climbed 0.8 percent to 46.025 and the Indonesian rupiah advanced 0.6 percent to 9,300.

The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index of equities rose 1.2 percent after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index yesterday capped its biggest two-day rally since October with a 1.3 percent advance. South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index of stocks gained 1.2 percent, paring this year’s loss to 4 percent.

Exporters Selling

“Global stock markets are gaining strength and it’s the same in Korea,” said Ko Yun Jin, a currency dealer at Kookmin Bank in Seoul. “Foreigners are buying stocks. Around the 1,160 level, there were a lot of exporters selling, so it was hard for the Korean won to weaken.”

Korean exports increased 47 percent from a year earlier in January, the biggest gain in more than 20 years, according to government data released this week. The government forecast a trade surplus for this month of about $2 billion, after imports last month exceeded overseas sales for the first time in a year.

Malaysia’s ringgit had its first gain in three days, boosted by speculation the central bank will raise interest rates as economic recoveries gather pace at home and abroad. The currency strengthened 0.3 percent to 3.4070 per dollar in Kuala Lumpur.

A trade ministry report on Feb. 5 will show Malaysia’s exports rose 11.8 percent in December, the most since September 2008, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists.

“The latest data are bringing back optimism in the market and are supportive of risk-taking,” said Tan Voon Ching, a foreign-exchange trader at OSK Investment Bank Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. “Recent talk of higher interest rates should also support the ringgit.”

Interest-Rate Outlook

Bank Negara Malaysia on Jan. 26 said borrowing costs cannot remain too low for too long to prevent “financial imbalances.” The central bank will raise its overnight rate by at least 25 basis points from a record-low 2 percent in the second quarter, according to five of 12 economists in a separate Bloomberg poll.

Elsewhere in Asia, the Taiwan dollar advanced 0.2 percent to NT$32 versus the greenback. The Singapore dollar gained 0.1 percent to S$1.4083 and the Thai baht rose 0.2 percent to 33.07. China’s yuan was little changed at 6.8267.

To contact the reporters on this story: Lilian Karunungan in Singapore at at lkarunungan@bloomberg.net; Patricia Lui at plui4@bloomberg.net

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Rubber Advances to One-Week High, Pares Gains as Oil Retreats

By Aya Takada

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Rubber climbed for a third day, advancing to the highest price in a week, before paring gains as crude oil declined.

Futures in Tokyo retreated after touching the highest level since Jan. 26 on signs of recovery in the global economy. Raw materials climbed after reports yesterday showed pending home sales in the U.S. strengthened in December and vehicle sales climbed 6.3 percent in January.

Oil fell after an industry report showed a larger-than- expected increase in crude stockpiles in the U.S., the world’s biggest energy consumer. Synthetic rubber is made from naphtha, distilled from petroleum.

“Rubber took a cue for direction from oil,” Hisaaki Tasaka, an analyst at Tokyo-based commodity broker ACE Koeki Co., said today by phone. “Rubber is still on an upward trend as economic growth is stimulating demand.”

Rubber for July delivery added as much as 1.8 percent to 287.5 yen a kilogram ($3,178 a metric ton) on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange and settled at 284.9 yen, a gain of 0.9 percent.

Crude oil for March delivery dropped as much as 0.6 percent to $76.78 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and last traded at $77.18. The contract jumped 3.8 percent to $77.23 yesterday, the biggest gain since Sept. 30.

Pending home sales in the U.S. rose 1 percent in December and were 11 percent higher than a year earlier, the National Association of Realtors said in Washington yesterday.

Car and truck sales in January grew to an annual rate of 10.8 million, 13 percent higher than a year earlier, researcher Autodata Corp. said yesterday. That beat the average estimate of 10.5 million among eight analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

May-delivery rubber on the Shanghai Futures Exchange gained 2.5 percent to settle at 23,525 yuan ($3,446) a ton. Prices fell to 22,250 yuan on Feb. 1, the lowest level since Dec. 16.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aya Takada in Tokyo atakada2@bloomberg.net

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Wheat Advances as Price Slump, Dollar Drop Attracts Importers

By Jae Hur

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Wheat climbed for a third day on speculation that last month’s slump and the dollar’s decline will increase demand from importers. Soybeans declined.

Wheat for March delivery gained as much as 0.8 percent to $4.9125 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. The grain tumbled 12 percent last month, the biggest monthly drop since June 2009, on slack demand for U.S. supplies amid increasing global inventories. The dollar has lost 0.6 percent against a basket of six major currencies since Jan. 29.

“The U.S. dollar pullback is behind the bounce,” said Toby Hassall, an analyst with CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. “In my view the fundamentals remain soft, particularly wheat and soybeans.”

Wheat has rallied 3.7 percent from $4.7150 a bushel on Jan. 29, the lowest level in more than three months, and was at $4.8875 at 3:33 p.m. Tokyo time after trading as low as $4.8575. The price jumped 2.6 percent yesterday, the most since Jan. 4.

Global output in the year that ends May 31 will total 676.1 million metric tons, after a record crop of 682.7 million tons the previous year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a Jan. 12 report. Stockpiles were forecast by the USDA to expand 19 percent to 195.6 million tons.

Japan will hold a tender tomorrow to buy 85,000 tons of milling wheat, including 65,000 tons of U.S. grain. Morocco is seeking to buy 103,000 tons of U.S. wheat in a tender that closes Feb. 16, the country’s grain-buying office said Feb. 2.

Corn Tender

South Korea’s Nonghyup Feed Inc. issued a tender to buy as much as 165,000 tons of corn for arrival between April and July, according to a copy of the company’s tender notice. The company also sought 55,000 tons of feed wheat for July delivery in the tender today.

Soybeans for March delivery slipped 0.2 percent to $9.24 a bushel while corn was little changed at $3.66 a bushel.

Corn and soybeans gained 1.7 percent yesterday, the most since Dec. 28, as equities and crude oil jumped, signaling more demand for fuel and livestock feed made from the crops.

Crude oil was little changed at $77.18 a barrel after gaining 3.8 percent yesterday, the biggest gain since Sept. 30. The Dollar Index was at 78.956 as of 3:40 p.m. Tokyo time, little changed from yesterday, when it fell 0.3 percent.

Asian stocks advanced as much as 1 percent, lifting the MSCI Asia Pacific Index for a second day, after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 1.3 percent yesterday as U.S. pending home sales increased 1 percent in December after a 16 percent drop in November, the National Association of Realtors said. Compared with a year earlier, pending sales climbed 11 percent.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jae Hur in Tokyo at jhur1@bloomberg.net

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Gold Climbs for a Third Day as Declining Dollar Boosts Demand

By Nicholas Larkin and Jae Hur

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Gold gained for a third day in London as the dollar extended a decline, boosting demand for the metal as an alternative investment.

The U.S. Dollar Index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback’s strength, fell for a third day before a report that may show U.S. service industries expanded at the fastest pace in more than a year in January. Gold, which climbed to a two-week high, typically moves inversely to the U.S. currency.

“The euro seems to be on the upside, and that’s beneficial for gold,” said Afshin Nabavi, a senior vice president at bullion refiner MKS Finance SA in Geneva. “Physical demand is exceptionally good,” and prices may climb toward $1,140 an ounce if they surpass $1,125, he said.

Gold for immediate delivery added as much as $10.65, or 1 percent, to $1,125.10 an ounce and traded at $1,121.60 at 10:01 a.m. local time. Bullion for April delivery was up 0.4 percent at $1,122.10 on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Comex unit.

“Price levels below $1,100 an ounce apparently attract buyers who consider this as a lucrative entry point,” Eugen Weinberg, a senior analyst with Commerzbank AG, wrote in a note to clients.

Gold climbed for a ninth year in 2009, reaching a record $1,226.56 an ounce on Dec. 3 as the dollar slumped on record-low interest rates and a surge in government stimulus spending. Spot prices fell in the prior three weeks as the dollar strengthened and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index of European shares slid the most in 11 months.

Pimco Forecast

The equity-market decline may worsen amid persistent U.S. joblessness and economic growth that trails economists’ forecasts, said Mohamed A. El-Erian, whose firm runs the world’s biggest mutual fund. Investors have wrongly priced in an “orderly” withdrawal of stimulus measures, a rebound in bank lending and coordinated government policy to restore growth, El- Erian, Pacific Investment Management Co.’s chief executive officer, wrote in a Bloomberg News column.

Bullion will average $1,135 an ounce this year, up from a previous forecast of $1,050, UBS AG said in a report yesterday. Newmont Mining Corp., the world’s second-largest gold producer by sales, reaffirmed its forecast for the metal to rise to $1,350 by the end of 2010.

“I feel pretty confident that as things move forward, we will see continued support for the gold price,” CEO Richard T. O’Brien said today at the company’s $2.9 billion Boddington operation, Australia’s biggest gold mine. “No question it will be volatile, but we will see support.”

Silver for immediate delivery gained 1 percent to $16.8775 an ounce in London. Platinum added 0.4 percent to $1,586.50 an ounce and palladium climbed 0.8 percent to $445.77 an ounce.

Platinum and palladium are mainly used in automotive pollution-control devices and jewelry. Vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 6.3 percent in January, Autodata Corp. said yesterday.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jae Hur in Tokyo at jhur1@bloomberg.net; Nicholas Larkin in London at nlarkin1@bloomberg.net

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U.K. Stocks Advance; Benchmark FTSE 100 Index Gains 0.3 Percent

By Andrew Rummer

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks rose for a fourth day after a report showed consumer confidence increased and shares of financial and basic-resources companies gained.

The FTSE 100 Index added 0.3 percent to 5,298.92 at 9:18 a.m. in London, having earlier lost as much as 0.3 percent.

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European Stocks Rebound; Stoxx 600 Index Gains 0.3 Percent

By Andrew Rummer

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks resumed their advance as gains by mining companies and automakers overshadowed worse- than-estimated earnings from Electrolux AB and Roche Holding AG.

The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index added 0.3 percent to 251.51 at 9:11 a.m. in London, having earlier fallen as much as 0.1 percent.

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Asian Stocks Gain for Second Day on Esprit Profit, Cnooc Output

By Jonathan Burgos and Shani Raja

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose, giving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index its first back-to-back advance in three weeks, as Esprit Holdings Ltd.’s better-than-estimated profit and Cnooc Ltd.’s output targets boosted earnings prospects in the region.

Esprit, the biggest Hong Kong-listed clothier, gained 7.9 percent. Cnooc, China’s No. 1 offshore oil explorer, jumped 9.4 percent in Hong Kong on plans to increase oil and gas production by as much as 28 percent this year. James Hardie Industries NV, the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., climbed 3.8 percent in Sydney after U.S. pending home sales rose. Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp., which develops computer systems, surged 6.9 percent after reporting a jump in profits.

“We’re getting more and more confirmation that the cyclical recovery is on track,” said Nader Naeimi, a Sydney- based strategist at AMP Capital Investors, which oversees about $90 billion globally. “The fundamentals continue to be supportive. Still, when the market becomes overbought, it also becomes very vulnerable to a change in sentiment.”

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1.3 percent to 119.13 as of 6 p.m. in Tokyo, taking its advance in the past two days to 2.5 percent. The measure last rose for two consecutive days on Jan. 14-15. The gauge sank 3 percent last month, the most since February last year, on concern central banks from China to India will tighten monetary policy to curb inflation.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped 2.2 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.4 percent as investors speculated losses that had made the gauge the world’s worst performer in 2010 were overdone. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.3 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex Index climbed 1.6 percent and the Kospi Index added 1.2 percent in Seoul.

James Hardie, Boral

Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.1 percent. The gauge climbed 1.3 percent in New York yesterday as pending home sales in the U.S. rose 1 percent in December after a 16 percent drop in November, the National Association of Realtors announced in Washington. Compared with a year earlier, pending sales climbed 11 percent.

James Hardie jumped 3.8 percent to A$7.96, while Boral Ltd., a building-materials company that gets 11 percent of its sales in the U.S., advanced 4.5 percent to A$5.60. Both stocks were upgraded to “buy” from “neutral” by UBS AG. Canon Inc., a camera maker that earns 28 percent of its revenue in the Americas, rose 1.4 percent to 3,660 yen.

“The U.S. housing report might help investors have a little more confidence in the economy than before,” said Kiyoshi Ishigane, a strategist in Tokyo at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co., which oversees about $65 billion. “People had expected difficulties in the recovery of the housing market.”

Esprit, Cnooc

Esprit climbed 7.9 percent to HK$57.90 after the company reported net income of HK$2.7 billion ($348 million) for the six months ended December. The amount beat the HK$2.26 billion mean estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Cnooc gained 9.4 percent to HK$12.32 after saying it plans to produce between 275 million and 290 million barrels of oil equivalent as demand for fuel rises in China. Nine new production areas will come on stream this year off the Chinese coast, the company said.

China Oilfield Services Ltd., a unit of Cnooc’s state- controlled parent, climbed 10 percent to HK$10.86.

Idemitsu Kosan Co. surged 9.9 percent to 6,460 yen as a climb in New York oil futures yesterday increased the profitability of the company’s exploration business in the North Sea. Idemitsu and China Oilfield’s advances were the largest in the MSCI Asia Pacific Index today.

Best Performers

Crude oil futures rose 3.8 percent to $77.23 a barrel in New York yesterday as gains in equities signaled the U.S. economy is rebounding and fuel demand will climb. Gold futures added 1.2 percent. The London Metal Exchange Index of six metals including copper and zinc increased 1 percent.

Advances in commodity prices helped drive gauges of material producers and energy companies on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index up by at least 2.4 percent, the most of 10 industry groups. Optimism the global economic recovery will feed commodities demand has made the two industries the MSCI index’s best performers in the past year.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s largest mining company and Australia’s largest oil producer, increased 2.6 percent to A$41.50, while Rio Tinto Group, the world’s third-largest mining company, added 1.4 percent to A$72.

Technology shares, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index’s second- best performing industry group in the past 12 months, accounted for 15 percent of the gauge’s increase today.

Advanced Semiconductor

Itochu Techno-Solutions surged 6.9 percent to 2,975 yen after the company reported a 63 percent climb in net income for the nine months through December. Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc., the world’s largest chip packaging and testing company, jumped 6.9 percent to NT$25.70 in Taipei trading after Citigroup Inc. upgraded the stock to “hold” from “sell.”

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rallied 34 percent in 2009 as growth in the region helped the world economy emerge from the worst slowdown since World War II. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in the U.S. advanced 23 percent last year, while the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index climbed 28 percent in Europe.

Companies in MSCI’s Asian index trade at 1.55 times book value on average, compared with 2.2 times for the S&P 500 and 1.7 times for the Stoxx 600.

Investors have wrongly priced in an “orderly” withdrawal of stimulus measures, a rebound in bank lending and coordinated government policy to restore growth, Mohamed A. El-Erian, the chief executive officer of Pacific Investment Management Co. wrote in a Bloomberg News column. That means Wall Street projections for gains in 2010 may prove incorrect and prices will slump, he said.

Nissan, Toyota

Alumina Ltd. rose 1.5 percent to A$1.66 as Citigroup recommended investors buy shares of Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum maker. Alumina operates the Alcoa World Alumina & Chemical venture with Alcoa.

“The U.S. housing market is rebounding,” said Hiroichi Nishi, an equities manager at Nikko Cordial Securities Inc. in Tokyo. “The economy is definitely recovering. Exporters and commodity related shares will be the focus.”

Nissan Motor Co., which derives more than a third of its revenue from North America, gained 1.2 percent to 755 yen after saying vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 16 percent in January.

Toyota Motor Corp., which last month started the recall of more than 4 million vehicles, lost 5.7 percent to 3,400 yen. The company’s U.S. sales fell 16 percent last month to a 10-year low.

To contact the reporters for this story: Jonathan Burgos in Singapore at jburgos4@bloomberg.net; Shani Raja in Sydney at sraja4@bloomberg.net.

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RBA Shocks Markets & AUD Collapses

Daily Forex Fundamentals | Written by AC-Markets | Feb 02 10 11:05 GMT |

News and Events: The RBA stunned the market by holding their cash rate steady at 3.75% and not hiking another 25bp, as was widely expected (roughly 80%). The AUD immediately collapsed, as traders anticipated eroding yield spread. The AUDUSD shed nearly one and a half big figures, trading from 0.8927 to 0.8780. However, the RBA's accompanying statement clearly indicates that rates might go higher in the future. And that is what the traders are betting on, as near-term bank bill futures rallied by around 30bps. The RBA mentioned persistent concerns over global credit conditions, strong Aussie, growing sovereign credit risk and China's probable tightening as reasons for the temporary pause. The central bank also wanted to monitor the effect of the last three hikes, as information was still 'limited'. Deputy Governor Battellino stated in December that 'since information about the early impact of those changes is still limited, the Board judged it appropriate to hold a steady setting of monetary policy for the time being.' The fact that so many bright, well-trained analysts completely misread the intentions of this central bank highlighted the fact that monetary policy is far from being certain. This clearly calls into question one of the main FX tenets, that the Fed will lead the ECB in normalizing policy and therefore the current EURUSD depreciate is warranted (when combined with fears over struggling EU members). But back to the fate of the AUD, first we believe that the China tighten story is overdone and believe China / Asia will power on through 2010. And second, the economic data in Australia, including an unemployment rate that was peaking at 6.0%, will remain constructive, while inflation is running above its 2-3% inflation target band. Given our expectations explained above, we believe the RBA will be forced to raise rates by 25bp in March and end 2010 around 5.25%, which means the AUD sell-off was merely a knee-jerk reaction and the AUD should be well supported moving forward. For today, the lack of first tier data will keep FX markets range-bound with majors in major pairs in a consolidation mode, ahead of Thursday's BOE & ECB and Friday's critical NFP. Today Key Issues: 09:00 GBP PMI construction, index Jan 47.1 exp, 47.1 prior 10:00 EUR PPI, % m/m (y/y) Dec 0.0 (-3.1) exp 0.1 (-4.4) prior 15:00 USD Housing vacancy rate, % Q4 2.6 prior 00:00 USD USD Vehicle sales, mn Jan 11.2 exp 15:00 USD Pending home sales, % m/m (y/y) Dec 0.9 (11.2) exp The Risk Today: EurUsd Very little change in EURUSD's picture today, with consolidation likely to be the name of the game between 1.3855 and 1.4000 in the short term. Our bias remains to play this pair from the short side and sell smalls towards 1.4000, but given the considerable sell-off since the beginning of December and the impending risk event (ECB meeting and press conference on Thursday), expect some players to lighten up on risk in case of Trichet fireworks. Looking at the larger picture it is clear that the bear trend remains the dominant driver, and should we be lucky enough to get a bounce towards 1.4190, expect plenty of selling interest. The breakdown of the 12 month uptrend back in December has been extremely orderly, and the target of the bear flag pattern carved out in January around 1.3600 has still not been reached, suggesting further room for this move below. GbpUsd GBPUSD took a tumble down through the lower bound of the 2 week downtrend channel yesterday as frayed nerves ahead of Thursday's BoE took their toll and GBPUSD bears found buyers in short supply. The low of 1.5851 was within 20 pips of critical downside support and 30 Dec lows of 1.5833; but the pair bounced strongly to close back within the channel even after the post-ISM wave of USD strength. There is sufficient uncertainty in the predicted outcome of Thursday's BoE meeting to expect a choppy range between 1.5833 lows and the 1.6080 area of major supply between now andthe MPC decision, but if we do see any bounces toward 1.6080 we would look to re-short with a stop just above the 50-day moving average resistance (1.6147), and wait for a retest of 1.5833 and thereafter 1.5707. UsdJpy We got another massive upside surprise in US data yesterday with the ISM Manufacturing posting a whopping 58.4 in January; but frustratingly USDJPY is still failing to breach the stubborn 91.00 resistance that also thwarted the rally on Friday. USDJPY bulls can at least take some solace in the fact that we finally got a daily close above the 90.55 neckline that eluded us on Friday, but for now the sellers are still keen to short around this vibration channel of the down trend, now coming in around 90.80; backed up by the 38.2% fibonacci retracement of the sell-off from 93.77 to 89.14 (at 90.91). If we do finally exhaust the selling interest around 90.80-91.00 it would open up a visit to the upper bound of the 1 month downtrend channel at 91.35 which if surpassed would confirm 89.14 as the new higher low in the rally from 84.82. Not much scheduled on the economic release calendar today to provide much catalyst, but the coming session will be the deal-breaker as a further rally is contingent on the 1 week uptrend support holding (currently comes in at 90.30); if we are wrong and this breaks then a resumption of the longer term downtrend should be considered. UsdChf USDCHF is arguably one of the least exciting pairs right now, essentially moving on the same drivers as EURUSD but with less bang for your buck. The pair has been subdued since Friday's suspected SNB intervention; locked in a tight range between 1.0643 post-intervention highs and 1.0550 prior resistance turned support -the latter taking on a slightly greater significance today as it coincides with the recent 1 month uptrend. We still look for further USD strength and a break above 1.0643 to target major downtrend resistance around 1.0710; really only a break below 1.0250 would threaten our view that 0.9919 is the bottom for this downtrend EURUSD GBPUSD USDJPY USDCHF 1.4115 1.6110 93.77 1.0750 1.4090 1.6080 92.50 1.0710 1.4030 1.6020 91.90 1.0643 1.3943 1.5913 90.76 1.0560 1.3830 1.5875 89.36 1.0445 1.3790 1.5845 88.00 1.0400 1.3755 1.5770 87.37 1.0375 S: Strong, M: Minor, T: Trendline, K: Keylevel, P: Pivot ACM FOREX Disclaimer: This report has been prepared by AC Markets (thereof ACM) and is solely been published for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any currency or any other financial instrument. Views expressed in this report may be subject to change without prior notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by Salesperson or Traders of ACM at any given time. ACM is under no obligation to update or keep current the information herein, the report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment.

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European Shadows Of Optimism On Good Data Or A Needed Correction?!

Daily Forex Fundamentals | Written by ecPulse.com | Feb 02 10 11:07 GMT |

The day starts like any other in Europe today, with the jitters and anxiety still prevalent within markets overshadowed by a stream of sound economic fundamentals. The incoming data is not topnotch today from Europe, yet the general sentiment is taking over following yesterday's big manufacturing surprise from Europe and the United States. Starting the day was a rebound in German retail sales in December, capping the holiday sales with a gain amid gloomy celebrations highlighting a recessionary year all through. Sales rebounded with 0.8% gain following a lower revision to November's drop to 1.7%. The volatility in markets can surely be resembled by their interpretation of economic data, which recently has been based on a very volatile short term basis overshadowing the longer term trends. This shallow analysis of the data merely explains the periodic sentiment slumps that are being seen, echoed in panic sell-offs across markets. In assessing the trends, once will see that a monthly rise in retail sales is sufficient enough to say the economic recovery has not lost its steam, which was coupled today with rising prices at factory gates in the Euro Block. December Producer Prices gained 0.1% following 0.2% revised rise in November beating the flat estimates. While on the year the drop eased to 2.9% from -4.4% in November. Anchored pipeline pressures Well, here is the case, inflationary data are surely being watched thoroughly nowadays, which was triggered mainly in the latter months of the year when speculation grew over the ECB to withdraw measures and start hiking rates. Well, they did indeed take the first step in ending some of the liquidity measures starting December, but again, if we focus on Trichet's testimony if I may call, after every meeting, his reiterates the Governing Council's stance regarding subdued price developments and anchored inflationary pressures. For one, that is very true for the time being, with the rising slack in economic activity, the high unemployment and the slowing government spending on the back of swelling deficits, the picture sounds about right. Our central assessment for medium term inflationary trend develop from the unorthodox easing measures adopted by the ECB and other central banks to ease the credit crunch and snitch the economy out of its recession, and so far, the extra liquidity has not spurred inflation! Two main factors linger to that central projection; one is the inability of central banks and governments to withdraw stimulus measures in time as the economy remains weak. While the second is the reversal of the support to the banking sector in an ironic inflationary trap as banks refrain from limiting their excessive risk taking measures and settle with their revitalized balance sheets on the back of government sponsored bailouts! Well, the first is the main fear, as the second so far is under heavy scrutiny thanks to already announced plans by governments and central banks to rein on excessive risks by banks and their capability to maneuver, like the Obama proposal, Darling's windfall tax on bonuses and Basel committee recommendations! Nevertheless, the market can not help but image a flawless market once again and positive optimism over current conditions and the outlook for the global economy! A clear testimony to that is the United Kingdom itself; the economy lingered for six consecutive quarters in recession and when the economy did expand in the fourth quarter it was by a slim 0.1% that even missed median estimates for 0.4%! Take for instance the construction data today, the construction PMI from UK reported continued enhancement in the sector as the performance improved in January to 48.6 from 47.1 which coupled with rising property values for the past couple of months was taken as a testimony to the improvement and the bottoming out of the sector's depression! Hate to break it to you dear reader, just the sector remains in contraction with the reading below 50, house prices were in fact rising, just the pace of closed sales, mortgage approvals, and property loans where not at the same pace hinting that the decline in supply did in fact have a great role in supporting prices! Let's talk facts! I am not a pessimist dear reader, I am a realist. If we want to talk facts and figures, well as a rational spectator of this economic fiesta I surely will not say that we are resting ashore until the latter half of this year, and maybe the last month of the year. That is reality, an exodus of the recession will not be a quarterly, two or three GDP expansion, it will exiting of expansionary monetary measures, trending down of jobless, rising in baseline inflation, and PRUDENT FISCAL POLICIES! All we have seen now was promises and no rationalized work on the move. As for the jitters of the market, well let us face it, markets are still moving on rumors and reversing on facts and that is pure 101 market hesitation in terms of economic realities; national statistics are clearly not the same as corporate endeavors! We are going to look beyond the economic data today and we are going to focus on the current sentiment in the market; which is the economic recovery is loosing momentum! I am placing my bets on two main events this week, where the first is with tomorrow's EC issuance of recommendations on Greece's budget program. Let us face it, all the figures from the euro zone where silenced against the growing speculation of Greece's deficit build up to 12.7% of the GDP the highest in the EU and the fear that Greece will drop the euro and others will be forced to follow suit –which I might say is absurd- has tarnished the euro strongly and we expect will continue towards testing the $1.37 barrier! As for the other fact of the week, well it need's no introduction, as its Thursday's rate fiesta. The BoE's stance on the APF program and Trichet's insight on the deficit and the exiting of another lending facility by the end of this quarter are to take the heat in Europe. We are advising you dear reader to not be victimized by the cliché in the market or be captivated by headlines! The market is READJUSTING and to be a smart one you need to understand where the bottom is and what is the new trend going to be! So place your bets on the winning horse and be sure that the volatility and the market rollercoaster is far from over and the joyride is about to start. Put your dancing shoes on for the risk limit to our assessment will only be the euro below $1.36!!! Ecpulse disclaimer: The content of ecPulse.com and any page in the website contain information for investors/traders and is not a recommendation to buy or sell currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies, nor an offer to buy or sell currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies. The information provided reflects the writers' opinions that deemed reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. ecPulse is not liable for any losses or damages, monetary or otherwise that result. I recommend that anyone trades currencies, stocks, gold, silver & energies should do so with caution and consult with a broker before doing so. Prior performance may not be indicative of future performance. Currencies, stocks gold, silver &energies presented should be considered speculative with a high degree of volatility and risk

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Forex Technical Analysis

Daily Forex Technicals | Written by DeltaStock Inc. | Feb 02 10 10:30 GMT |

EUR/USD Current level-1.3922 EUR/USD is in a downtrend, after peaking at 1.5146 (Nov.25,2009). Technical indicators are neutral, and trading is situated below the 50- and 200-Day SMA, currently projected at 1.4793 and 1.4169. The break above 1.3920 signals, that the pair has entered a larger corrective phase ans will target 1.40+ sentiment level, before drowning to 1.3740 support. Resistance Support intraday intraweek intraday intraweek 1.3920 1.3990 1.4260 1.5146 1.3851 1.3740 1.3740 1.30+ USD/JPY Current level - 90.56 The overall downtrend has been renewed with the recent break below 87.12. Trading is situated below the 50- and 200-day SMA, currently projected at 89.50 and 93.54. We saw on more test in the 90.90 resistance area and the pair is still struggling below that zone. Only a break below 89.79 will initiate a downtrend for 88.36, en route to 87.35. The intraday bias is positive, well supported at 90.45. Resistance Support intraday intraweek intraday intraweek 90.80 91.90 93.40 95.60 89.60 88.35 87.12 83.45 GBP/USD Current level- 1.5920 The pair is in a downtrend after peaking at 1.7042. Trading is situated between the 50- and 200-day SMA, currently projected at 1.6454 and 1.5258. The pair has entered a larger consolidation pattern in the 1.5833-1.6070 zone. Intraday expect 1.5880 to support the pair for a rise towards 1.6050. Resistance Support intraday intraweek intraday intraweek 1.5980 1.6070 1.6280 1.7042 1.5880 1.5833 1.5833 1.5352 DeltaStock Inc. - Online Forex & Securities Broker www.deltastock.com RISK DISCLAIMER: These analyses are for information purposes only. They DO NOT post a BUY or SELL recommendation for any of the financial instruments herein analyzed. The information is obtained from generally accessible data sources. The forecasts made are based on technical analysis. However, Delta Stock’s Analyst Dept. also takes into consideration a number of fundamental and macroeconomic factors, which we believe impact the price moves of the observed instruments. Delta Stock Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions in these materials, nor shall it be liable for damages arising out of any person's reliance upon the information on this page. Delta Stock Inc. shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, losses or unrealized gains that may result. Any information is subject to change without notice.

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Euro to Drop to 8-Month Low in ‘Correction’: Technical Analysis

By Candice Zachariahs

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The euro may face a “correction” that will drive the currency to its lowest level since May after closing below support at $1.3981, Citigroup Inc. said.

Europe’s common currency closed at $1.3863 on Jan. 29, below its 55-week moving average and close to the 200-week moving average of $1.3859. The European currency “typically corrects” by 10 percent before resuming gains, the bank said, citing losses in 1994 and 2004 that preceded U.S. interest-rate increases. The euro lost as much as 9 percent between Feb. 18, 2004, and April 26, 2004. The Federal Reserve in June 2004 raised benchmark borrowing costs for the first time since 2000.

“A 10 percent correction down in the euro from the November high takes the pair to $1.3630 where further support levels converge,” Citigroup technical analysts led by Tom Fitzpatrick in New York wrote in a note to clients yesterday. “Overall further short-term weakness down to the $1.36-plus area would not be surprising.”

The euro traded at $1.3926 as of 9:56 a.m. in Tokyo from $1.3931 yesterday and last traded below $1.37 on May 20. The euro will find buyers in the $1.36 area which includes its 55- month moving average of $1.3589 and the December 2004 high of $1.3666, the bank said.

“We would still be biased to call the move down from the November high a correction down rather than a trend,” the analysts wrote. The euro touched $1.5144 on Nov. 25, the most since August 2008.

Support levels are areas on a chart where orders to buy a currency may be clustered. In technical analysis, investors and analysts study charts of trading patterns and prices to forecast price changes in a security, commodity, currency or index.

To contact the reporter on this story: Candice Zachariahs in Sydney at czachariahs2@bloomberg.net

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Bank of America, Microsoft, Exxon May Face Obama Tax Increases

By Mark Drajem

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp. and Microsoft Corp. would be among companies paying $400 billion in additional taxes under President Barack Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget.

Obama wants to impose a fee on 50 of the biggest financial companies, costing $90 billion to firms such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America. His budget also proposes ending tax breaks for oil companies led by Exxon, the largest U.S. company, and taxing overseas profits for companies such as Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker.

The tax increases undermine Obama’s goal of doubling exports and creating jobs, said John Castellani, president of the Business Roundtable, a Washington-based group representing the chief executive officers of companies such as Exxon and Microsoft.

“Now, more than ever, we simply cannot afford to gamble away economic recovery and job creation on risky tax increases,” Castellani said in a statement.

The budget, sent to Congress yesterday, is for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. It reflects the administration’s struggle to boost the economy and job growth while tightening the government’s belt to reduce deficits in the years ahead. It is subject to approval, and modification, by Congress.

Other companies may come out ahead. Fairfield, Connecticut- based General Electric Co., a maker of nuclear and renewable energy equipment, would benefit under spending proposals to boost development of energy-efficient technology. Insurer Amerigroup Corp. would gain from an extension of Medicaid funding to the states.

Tax Credits

Aside from the levy on banks, which was first proposed last month, Obama offered scaled-back versions yesterday of tax increases he advanced in his first budget plan a year ago.

“Compared to last year, this was surprisingly tame,” Andrew Parmentier, managing partner of the Washington-based research firm Height Analytics, said in a report to clients. “The market was largely uninterested.”

The budget calls for the elimination of $36.5 billion over the next decade in tax credits for oil and gas companies such as Exxon, Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips. The administration dropped other proposals from last year, easing the impact on energy producers, said Kevin Book of Washington-based managing director for analysis firm Clearview Energy Partners LLC.

After complaints from Microsoft of Redmond, Washington, and Peoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc., the administration also scaled back a proposed tax increase on overseas income. It would yield $122.2 billion in revenue, not the $210 billion estimated a year ago. Congress didn’t enact the proposal last year.

Microsoft, Pfizer, Caterpillar

Representatives for Microsoft, drugmaker Pfizer Inc. and Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of bulldozers, have said the tax increase would undermine their competitiveness with overseas rivals, and could lead them to set up operations offshore instead of in the U.S.

“It makes U.S. jobs more expensive,” Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer said in an interview in June.

Lockheed Martin Corp. could benefit from increased defense spending, and Boeing Co. from a $2 billion weather satellite system.

A program of loan guarantees for nuclear-power makers and renewable energy could assist manufacturers such as GE. The world’s biggest maker of freight locomotives could also win from an increase in spending for high-speed rail.

Energy Department

The Energy Department proposed $48 billion in loan guarantees to finance projects aimed at cutting U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases tied to global warming, including help for nuclear-power plant developers, such as Atlanta-based Southern Co.

Automakers would get $11.4 billion in loans for “clean” technology, a 115 percent increase over Obama’s 2010 plan. Ford Motor Co., Tesla Motors Inc. and Nissan Motor Co. all have received aid under that program.

Obama’s spending plan would also extend emergency funding the federal government provided for Medicaid, the government’s health program for the poor, in last year’s U.S. stimulus package. Those programs are administered in some states by Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Virginia Beach, Virginia-based Amerigroup.

Companies including White Plains, New York-based ITT Corp. would benefit from the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to boost spending for so-called NextGen equipment overhauls by almost a third, to $1.1 billion. ITT won a contract in 2007 to build and maintain ground stations that enable the FAA to use satellites to guide planes.

Not an Edict

All of these proposals must now run the gauntlet in Congress, which didn’t take up many of the tax increases Obama proposed last year.

“Investors should not mistake this (or any other) budget request for an edict,” Book said. “Congress still controls final spending decisions, and election years can widen ideological differences between a thrifty White House and lawmakers hoping to win reelection.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net.

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Australian Dollar Slides as Central Bank Keeps Rate Unchanged

By Paul Dobson and Yasuhiko Seki

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The Australian dollar slid after the nation’s central bank unexpectedly avoided raising interest rates, prompting traders to favor other higher-yielding currencies such as the Norwegian krone and South African rand.

The Aussie fell against all 16 of its most-traded peers monitored by Bloomberg, dropping to the lowest level in almost six weeks versus the U.S. dollar. Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens left the overnight cash rate target at 3.75 percent, confounding the prediction for a quarter-point increase from all 20 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

“The foreign-exchange market is definitely seeking yield following the Australian rate decision,” said Paul Robson, a senior currency strategist in London at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc.

Australia’s currency slid 1.3 percent to 88.03 U.S. cents as of 10:24 a.m. in London, after weakening to 87.81 cents, the lowest level since Dec. 23. It fell 1.1 percent to 79.89 yen.

The dollar traded at $1.3946 per euro, from $1.3931 in New York yesterday, when it rose to $1.3853, the strongest since July 8. The U.S. currency was at 90.77 yen, from 90.61, and the yen traded at 126.62 per euro, from 126.24.

The RBA’s Stevens became the first central banker among the Group of 20 nations to raise borrowing costs last year, boosting them three times. Officials in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe kept their benchmark rates at record lows. The difference in rates helped make the Australian dollar the top performer versus its U.S. counterpart from Sept. 1 though yesterday.

Rate ‘Surprise’

“It’s a surprise they didn’t hike today,” said Lee Hardman, a currency strategist in London at Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. The decision “should help ease some of the downward pressure on the U.S. dollar” because “the market last year got ahead of itself expecting other central banks to tighten more aggressively than the Federal Reserve,” he said.

The Aussie will probably depreciate to 85 U.S. cents as markets begin to bet on rate increases by the Fed, UBS AG said. The Swiss bank advised investors sell the Aussie against Norway’s krone before the Norges Bank meets tomorrow. The “risk clearly” is that the Oslo-based central bank surprises by raising borrowing costs, said Mansoor Mohi-uddin, chief currency strategist at UBS in Singapore.

The Norwegian central bank will keep its main rate unchanged at 1.75 percent, according to all 16 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

ECB Meets

The European Central Bank meets the following day and will also keep its main rate unchanged, at 1 percent, according to all 55 economists in a separate Bloomberg survey. The Fed’s target rate for overnight loans between banks is a range of zero to 0.25 percent.

The rand strengthened 0.5 percent to 7.4588. The South African central bank’s main interest rate is 7 percent.

Traders had put the odds of an increase in Australia’s rate at 74 percent, according to contracts traded on the Sydney Futures Exchange.

Borrowing costs in Australia will be “adjusted further” to keep inflation within the central bank’s target range of 2 percent to 3 percent “if economic conditions evolve broadly as expected,” Stevens said in a statement today.

To contact the reporters on this story: Paul Dobson in London at pdobson2@bloomberg.net; Yasuhiko Seki in Tokyo at yseki5@bloomberg.net

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Oil May Pull Back After Rising Above $78: Technical Analysis

By Yee Kai Pin

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil may pull back below $73 a barrel even if the market retraces two weeks of losses and climbs back above $78, National Australia Bank Ltd. said.

Oil, which fell in January in its first monthly decline since July, is “on the defensive” after technical support marked by two short-term moving averages was breached, said Gordon Manning, a Sydney-based technical analyst at Australia’s fourth-largest bank. While prices are rebounding, the risk remains skewed to the downside, he said.

“Enough pressure’s come out of the market, but I’m not convinced that the bounce will have much in it,” Manning said today in a telephone interview. “I could see oil getting back to $78 to $79. That wouldn’t surprise me, but any rally is going to conk out.”

Crude oil futures lost 8.2 percent in January, the most since December 2008, amid concern the recovery in global fuel demand would slow. The contract for March delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange was at $74.76 a barrel in electronic trading, up 33 cents, at 1:09 p.m. Singapore time, after data yesterday showed manufacturing expanded in the U.S. and Europe.

Futures reached $72.43 a barrel on Jan. 29, the lowest in more than five weeks, after chart readings slipped below the 21- day and 30-day moving averages. Should oil hold off from those lows over the first half of this month, the chances for a sustained recovery will be improved, he suggested.

“If within two weeks’ time we’re still around these levels and haven’t broken to new lows, I would think there’s a chance we’re going into a bigger ‘sideways’ period -- with risks to the upside coming back,” Manning said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Yee Kai Pin in Singapore at kyee13@bloomberg.net

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AngloGold Chief Cutifani Sees Gold at $1,000-$1,200 This Year

By Carli Lourens

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutifani said the metal may trade between $1,000 and $1,200 an ounce this year.

At levels below $1,000, several producers would struggle as total costs to produce the metal are around $800 or $900 an ounce, he told reporters in Cape Town late yesterday. AngloGold is the world’s third-biggest producer of the metal.

To contact the reporter on this story: Carli Lourens in Johannesburg at clourens@bloomberg.net.

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Godrej Plans to Triple Palm Oil Output as Indian Demand Surges

By Thomas Kutty Abraham

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Godrej Agrovet Ltd., India’s biggest palm oil producer, plans to triple domestic output as demand for cooking oil surges, a company executive said.

Godrej will invest 1 billion rupees ($22 million) in the next five years building refineries to process production from more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of palm trees, Managing Director B.S. Yadav said in an interview in Mumbai yesterday. That may boost the Mumbai-based company’s output to more than 75,000 metric tons, he said.

India surpassed China as the biggest buyer of palm oil last year as rising incomes increased demand for fried and processed food. The country imports almost all its palm oil requirements. Palm represents 80 percent of all cooking oil purchases, which will jump 34 percent to a record 9.4 million tons this year, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India.

“If the government ramps up oil-palm cultivation, they can substantially reduce the import bill,” Yadav said. “We certainly hope to play a part in that growth story.”

Imports will climb this year after drought across half of the country damaged crops and pushed food inflation near to an 11-year high. Shipments will also increase after an import-tax waiver lowered costs, the association said last month.

Monsoon-sown oilseed production may drop 9 percent this season to 13.7 million tons, according to the Central Organization for Oil Industry and Trade, the country’s biggest group of processors.

Government Subsidy

India’s government subsidizes as much as 60 percent of the cost of growing oil palms in a bid to reduce purchases from Indonesia and Malaysia, the biggest producers.

Increasing demand will maintain India’s reliance on imports for the next few years, Yadav said. Boosting the national crop to 1 million hectares would do a lot to cut them, he said.

“It’s a business model that works for the government, the farmer and the companies,” he said.

The company, a unit of Godrej Industries Ltd., has about 36,000 hectares of oil palms in the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Goa, producing 25,000 tons of raw oil annually. The producer plans new plantations in Orissa in east India and Mizoram in the northeast and will consider acquisitions, to help increase the share of sales from palm oil to 10 percent in five years from 7 percent now, Yadav said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Kutty Abraham in Mumbai at tabraham4@bloomberg.net;

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U.S. Stocks Gain as Manufacturing Beats Estimates, Exxon Rises

By Nikolaj Gammeltoft and Rita Nazareth

Feb. 1 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks rose, driving a rebound in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index from a three-month low, after measures of manufacturing and income increased more than economists estimated and Exxon Mobil Corp. beat forecasts.

Exxon gained 2.7 percent as profit fell less than estimated because of higher oil prices and output, giving energy companies the second-biggest rally in the S&P 500 behind commodity producers. Coal company Consol Energy Inc. climbed more than 7 percent after the Commerce Department said income advanced 0.4 percent in December and factory output expanded at the fastest rate since 2004. Banks pared gains after demand for business and household loans slipped over the past three months.

The S&P 500 rose 1.4 percent to 1,089.19 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 118.20 points, or 1.2 percent, to 10,185.53. The advance reversed a decline in the MSCI World Index of equities in 23 developed markets, which added 1 percent to break an eight-day losing streak.

“The trend of the market is up,” said David Dreman, chairman and chief investment officer at Dreman Value Management LLC, which has about $5 billion under management. “There’s still good value to be picked up and we’re getting close to 100 percent invested in stocks.”

While the S&P has surged 61 percent since March 9, it completed a third straight weekly loss on Jan. 29 after Qualcomm Inc., Motorola Inc. and Microsoft Corp. tempered enthusiasm about an earning-reporting season in which 80 percent of index members have topped the average analyst profit estimate since Jan. 11, according to Bloomberg data.

“Phenomenal corporate profits are driving stocks up,” said Wayne Wilbanks, chief investment officer at Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas in Norfolk, Virginia, which manages $1.4 billion. “That’s why we won’t get more than a 10 percent correction because the corporate earnings numbers are simply too good.”

Most Since 2004

Manufacturing expanded in January at the fastest pace since August 2004. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to 58.4, higher than the median economist forecast of 55.5, figures from the group showed. Readings greater than 50 signal expansion. Orders, production and employment increased.

The U.S. factories report followed surveys showing China, the world’s third-biggest economy, sustained its manufacturing expansion in January as export orders jumped and inflation pressures grew.

U.S. Commerce Department data showed U.S. personal income rose 0.4 percent in December, more than the 0.3 percent economist forecast. U.S. gross domestic product grew 5.7 percent at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, the government said on Jan. 29.

“I like the manufacturing number -- it stops the near-term sell-off in the market and it supports Friday’s GDP data,” said Scott Armiger, who helps manage about $2 billion at Christiana Bank & Trust in Greenville, Delaware. “We’re optimistic companies will do better earnings-wise this year, but the question is still whether we’re going to get stronger growth from the U.S. consumer.”

Producers of metals, chemicals and agricultural commodities climbed 3.7 percent for the biggest gain among 10 industries. Energy companies in the S&P 500 rose 3 percent as Exxon rallied.

Higher Output

Exxon added 2.7 percent to $66.18. The largest U.S. company by market value posted a smaller decline in fourth-quarter profit than analysts estimated as gains in oil prices and output cushioned the impact of slumping demand for diesel and gasoline.

Chevron Corp. added 2 percent to $73.58.

The data on manufacturing also boosted coal companies. Massey Energy Co. climbed 7.9 percent to $41.58 for the biggest gain in the S&P 500. Consol Energy Inc. rose 7.2 percent to $49.97. Peabody Energy Corp. advanced 4.9 percent to $44.19.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. advanced 7.8 percent to $43.07 for the second-biggest gain in the benchmark index for U.S. equities. North America’s largest iron-ore producer had its fourth-quarter earnings estimate raised to 39 cents a share, from 17 cents, by FBR Capital Markets.

CME Group Inc. added 1.5 percent to $291.22. The world’s largest futures market is in talks to buy the News Corp. stock- index business that owns the Dow Jones Industrial Average for up to $700 million, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Falling Revenue

Financial institutions climbed 1.6 percent, paring an earlier gain of 1.9 percent. The Federal Reserve said loan demand slipped last quarter, according to a quarterly survey of Senior Loan Officers, while fewer banks tightened standards.

Gannett Co. posted the biggest decline in the S&P 500, falling 7 percent to $15.02. The largest U.S. newspaper publisher reported declining revenue and a fourth-quarter profit that was helped by job cuts. New York Times Co. fell 3.3 percent to $12.49.

Amazon.com Inc. had the second-biggest decline in the S&P 500, slipping 5.2 percent to $118.87. The world’s largest Internet retailer said it will start selling Macmillan books on its Web site again and give in to the publisher’s demands to charge more for titles on the Kindle digital reader.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nikolaj Gammeltoft in New York at ngammeltoft@bloomberg.net; Rita Nazareth in New York at rnazareth@bloomberg.net.

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Asian Stocks Rise as U.S. Manufacturing Expands; Toyota Climbs

By Jonathan Burgos and Shani Raja

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks climbed, driving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index up the most in more than two weeks, after U.S. manufacturing expanded more than estimated and Australia unexpectedly refrained from raising interest rates.

Canon Inc., a camera maker that gets about 28 percent of revenue from the Americas, added 2.7 percent in Tokyo. Toyota Motor Corp. gained 4.5 percent after the automaker said it will resume some production operations that were halted. Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. climbed 7.2 percent in Tokyo after raising its profit forecast. Westfield Group, the world’s largest owner of shopping malls by value, climbed 4.5 percent in Sydney after announcing a dividend payment.

“Markets overall were as oversold as they had been for some months and a bounce was expected,” Prasad Patkar, who helps manage about $1.5 billion at Platypus Asset Management in Sydney. “The world is a markedly better place, in an economic sense, than it was 12 months ago so there is good reason to believe the market will stay bid.”

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1 percent to 117.39 as of 5:29 p.m. in Tokyo, the biggest advance since Jan. 14. The gauge sank 3 percent last month, the most since February last year, on concern central banks from China to India will tighten monetary policy to curb inflation.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 1.8 percent, the biggest advance among Asia Pacific benchmark indexes, after the country’s central bank kept the overnight cash rate target at 3.75 percent after three increases.

Nikkei Advances

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 1.6 percent. DeNA Co., a Japanese operator of auction and shopping Web sites, soared 19 percent after reporting higher sales. Office equipment maker Brother Industries Ltd. climbed 8.9 percent as it raised its profit forecast.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.2 percent as concern the government will curb lending spurred declines by developers and overshadowed gains by commodity producers. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.1 percent.

Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.3 percent. The gauge added 1.4 percent in New York yesterday after measures of manufacturing and incomes increased more than economists estimated.

The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to 58.4, exceeding the highest estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. Readings greater than 50 signal expansion. Incomes climbed 0.4 percent, also more than expected, according to the Commerce Department in Washington.

Pedal Repairs

Canon added 2.7 percent to 3,610 yen. Sony Corp., which gets about 24 percent of sales from the U.S., gained 3.1 percent to 3,155 yen.

Toyota, which gets about 31 percent of sales from North America, climbed 4.5 percent to 3,605 yen after saying its dealers will begin fixing flawed gas-pedals that caused the car maker to recall over 5 million vehicles and that its North American assembly operations will resume on Feb. 8. The stock slumped 18 percent through yesterday since the company announced the initial recall on Jan. 21.

Yesterday’s U.S. data added to signs global growth is accelerating. Two surveys released yesterday showed the Chinese economy sustained its manufacturing expansion in January as export orders jumped and inflation pressure grew. China’s economy expanded 10.7 percent in the fourth quarter while consumer prices rose a higher-than-estimated 1.9 percent in December from a year earlier, government data on Jan. 21 showed.

Mining Stocks Climb

A gauge of material producers on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1.9 percent as the U.S. manufacturing data boosted the prospects for commodities demand. The materials gauge is the MSCI Asia Pacific’s second-best performer in the past 12 months.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s largest mining company, rose 3.2 percent to A$40.46. Rio Tinto Group, the world’s No. 3 mining company, advanced 5.3 percent to A$71.01. Mitsubishi Corp., a Japanese trading house which gets about 40 percent of sales from metals and energy, rose 5.1 percent to 2,249 yen. Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., China’s biggest producer of the metal, gained 1.7 percent to HK$15.82 in Hong Kong.

“The better-than-expected U.S. data are a positive for the market,” said Fumiyuki Nakanishi, a senior strategist at Tokyo- based SMBC Friend Securities Co. “Commodities are also swinging back.”

Mitsui Mining surged 5.1 percent to 247 yen. The company doubled its net income forecast for the year ending March 31 to 8 billion yen ($89 million), saying higher zinc prices are boosting sales.

Unexpected Decision

In Sydney, Westfield climbed 4.5 percent to A$12.90 after reporting a dividend for the six months to Dec. 31 of 47 Australian cents a share.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia rose 1.1 percent to A$53.55, while Telstra Corp., the nation’s biggest phone company, added 1.8 percent to A$3.38 as today’s rate decision confounded the forecast of all 20 economists in a Bloomberg News survey for a quarter-point increase.

“This is a big relief and reduces the serious risk of a policy blunder,” said Platypus Asset’s Patkar.

Concerns that central banks will take steps to prevent regional economies from overheating has brought the average price of the MSCI Asia Pacific Index’s companies down to 1.54 times book value from 1.65 times on Jan. 15, when the index settled at a 17-month high.

China last month required banks to raise their reserve ratios and asked some banks to curb lending. The Reserve Bank of India increased the reserve ratio for banks on Jan. 29, while the Philippines boosted the rate it charges for lending money to banks from yesterday.

‘Buying Opportunity’

“Recent declines provide a good buying opportunity,” Wang Tao, president of the Technical Analysis Society of Singapore, told Bloomberg Television. The MSCI Asia Pacific’s 200-day moving average could provide a strong support for the gauge, he said. The index’s 200-day moving average is presently at 112.21, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 34 percent last year, the most since 2003, on optimism growth in Asia, led by China and India, will help drag the global economy out of its worst recession since World War II. The MSCI World Index climbed 27 percent in 2009.

DeNA surged 19 percent to 625,000 yen after saying sales for the nine months ended Dec. 31 rose 7.1 percent. Brother Industries gained 8.9 percent to 1,100 yen. The company reported a 19 percent increase in net income for the nine-months ended Dec. 31 and raised its full-year forecast by 16 percent.

To contact the reporters for this story: Jonathan Burgos in Singapore at jburgos4@bloomberg.net; Shani Raja in Sydney at sraja4@bloomberg.net.

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European Stocks Advance; Stoxx 600 Index Increases 0.2 Percent

By Andrew Rummer

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks advanced for a third day, the longest stretch of gains in three weeks, as basic- resources producers climbed.

The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index added 0.2 percent to 249 at 9:49 a.m. in London, having previously dropped as much as 0.5 pecent.

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