United States markets were slightly higher in early trading on Friday as investors pored over the latest earnings news.þþKEEPING SCORE The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.09 percent and the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was up 0.19 percent. The Nasdaq composite index was flat.þþEARNINGS NEWS General Electric stock rose the most in the Dow after the industrial conglomerate reported earnings that were better than analysts were expecting. Shares of the casino operator Wynn Resorts plunged 8 percent after the company said new gambling regulations in Macau continued to hurt its business.þþEUROPEAN MARKETS In Germany, the DAX rose 0.2 percent and in France, the CAC 40 was up 0.3 percent. The FTSE 100 gained 0.5 percent in Britain.þþFED FOCUS Stocks around the world have enjoyed one of their best weeks in months. Traders have viewed a disappointing run of United States economic data as meaning that the Federal Reserve would not raise its main interest rate for the first time in more than nine years in December. Figures Thursday showing minimal inflation pressures served to reinforce that view.þþANALYST’S TAKE “There are significant doubts emerging that the Federal Reserve will even be able to consider raising rates this year,” said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.þþASIA’S DAY The Nikkei 225 ended up 1.1 percent in Japan, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 0.7 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index added 1.6 percent in China. The Kospi was down 0.2 percent in South Korea.þþBANK OF JAPAN Japanese shares were buoyed further by expectations that the country’s central bank will come up with more stimulus measures this month or next month. That helped send the Nikkei higher.þþENERGY Benchmark United States crude gained 2 percent to $47 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, used to price international oils, rose 23 cents to $49.96.þþCURRENCIES The euro fell 0.2 percent to $1.1347 while the dollar rose 0.1 percent to 119.07 yen.þ
Source: NY Times
