CME will see further rise, not in share prices but in profit
By Yasufumi Saito CME group Inc., the world’s largest futures-exchange operator, has been gaining impetus since summer as its contract volume rose due to the high volatility in interest rates and energy markets. Analysts expect a further rise in volume, revenues and earnings, but not in the stock as it’s fully priced.
Pork prices plunge, threatening “the greatest collapse”
By Yasufumi Saito The price of lean hogs—the name of butchered pork in commodity markets—has plummeted drastically from its peak last summer, reaching a record low due to a loss of equilibrium in supply and demand. Experts warn of “the greatest collapse” in pork prices if the trend continues.
Retail sales decline for three months straight
By Yasufumi Saito U.S. retail sales dropped unexpectedly for the third consecutive month in February, most likely due to consumer prudence and bad weather.
Tribune Publishing reports sharp drops in profits and sales in Q4
By Yasufumi Saito In its first report as a separate entity, Tribune Publishing Co. announced Wednesday drops in both fourth-quarter and full year profits and sales, mostly due to an advertising decline and its spinoff costs, and predicted further sales decline this year. The shares plummeted about 10 percent at one point, before rebounding to […]
New-home sales remain at a six-year high
By Yasufumi Saito U.S. new-home sales in January almost held the high level in more than six years, showing a modest upbeat in the housing market that exceeded Wall Street’s estimate.
10 things to know about the latest U.S. GDP report
By Yasufumi Saito The December quarter GDP, gross domestic product, released by the Commerce Department recently shows that the U.S. economy slackened a bit, but continued a healthy recovery step by step. It’s worth dissecting. A mixed layer of economic activities such as imports, government spending and most importantly, personal consumption resulted in the outcome. […]
CME’s earnings climb as it becomes more digital, global
By Yasufumi Saito CME Group Inc., the world’s largest futures-exchange operator, reported late Thursday a 59 percent growth in fourth-quarter earnings as trading volume grew internationally. The shares climbed more than 3 percent Friday.
CME to close most futures pits
By Yasufumi Saito One of the icons of capitalism is fading out as the world is more digitized. CME Group Inc., the world’s largest futures-exchange operator, announced Wednesday it will close most of its open-outcry futures trading pits this summer, due to the shift from floor trading to electronic transactions.
Archer Daniels Midland beats 4Q profit estimate, misses sales forecast
By Yasufumi Saito Archer Daniels Midland Co., a leading agricultural processer and food ingredient provider, reported Tuesday a mixed result for the fourth quarter. While profit beat Wall Street’s estimate, sales fell short of expectations.
U.S. consumer confidence surges to 7 1/2–year high
By Yasufumi Saito Greater chances of getting a job and lower gasoline prices are making Americans feel more comfortable about today’s economy like it was before the recession. U.S. consumer confidence jumped sharply in January to its strongest level since August 2007, according to a report Tuesday by The Conference Board, a non-profit business research […]