"Investors are also watching the outcome of March (U.S.) chain store sales data later (in the day)"
The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index dropped 166.59 points, or 1.27 percent, to 12,945.30 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. via SF Gate
Lehman Brothers liquidated three investment funds last quarter after their assets declined in value amid the larger credit crisis, the New York investment bank said in a regulatory filing Wednesday. via Crain's NY Business
U.S. stocks sprinted higher as Yahoo merger speculation along with positive analyst comments on Intel and Apple lifted technology shares. via Reuters Video
"It might be compensated by a large import next week."
Oil prices steadied near $111 a barrel Thursday after jumping to a new record in the previous session on an unexpected drop in U.S. crude inventories.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's inventory report, closely watched by the market, showed Wednesday that crude stocks fell 3.2 million barrels last week.
'The crude inventory draw was a big surprise to the market, which had actually expected an increase of 2 to 3 million barrels. It was a substantial drawdown,' said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. Read more
Analysis and Discussion with Kevin Rendino of BlackRock Inc. via ClipSyndicate
Stocks fluctuated Thursday as investors weighed mixed sales figures from major retailers and a drop in unemployment claims.
The Labor Department said initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 53,000 to 357,000 last week, a better-than-expected reading. Still, the four-week average of claims, which helps the market look past week-to-week volatility, rose last week to 378,250, a two-and-a-half-year high.
Because of the shaky economy, retailers have been hurting. Limited Brands Inc., Gap Inc., J.C. Penney Co., Kohl's Corp., Saks Inc. and Nordstrom Inc. all reported drops in March sales on Thursday. The news came a day after home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. warned its first-quarter profit would come in below the average analyst estimate. Read more
Bank of America Corp. is making some major changes to the health care benefits it provides to 150,000 employees. via Abc11tv.com
Tokyo stocks fell on Thursday with worries about a weakening global economy worrying investors. via Reuters Video
Euro zone interest rates will likely be left unchanged when European Central Bank governors mull monetary policy today against a backdrop of record inflation and slowing but still resilient growth. via RTE Business
"Volatile markets lead investors to seek information and guidance."
Larry Bellehumeur's investment advice isn't always that exciting, but he attracts curious onlookers - all part of a new wave of investors who have turned away from brokerage houses and mutual funds and rely ... via KOMO
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