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| Version 15 | Version 16 |
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| Shares volatile on economy fears | Shares volatile on economy fears |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Wall Street shares gained ground in rocky trading on the expectation that further rate cuts this week could prop up the ailing US economy. | Wall Street shares gained ground in rocky trading on the expectation that further rate cuts this week could prop up the ailing US economy. |
| The benchmark Dow Jones index gained 1.45% or 176.7 points to 12,384, while the broader S&P 500 was also ahead. | The benchmark Dow Jones index gained 1.45% or 176.7 points to 12,384, while the broader S&P 500 was also ahead. |
| But worries over economic growth in Europe and fears over the health of the banking sector after a fraud at Societe Generale hit shares in the region. | But worries over economic growth in Europe and fears over the health of the banking sector after a fraud at Societe Generale hit shares in the region. |
| The UK's FTSE 100 closed 1.3% lower, while France's Cac was down 0.6%. | The UK's FTSE 100 closed 1.3% lower, while France's Cac was down 0.6%. |
| Germany's Dax index meanwhile reversed earlier losses to finish at almost the same level as at Friday's close, up 0.03% at 6,818.85. | Germany's Dax index meanwhile reversed earlier losses to finish at almost the same level as at Friday's close, up 0.03% at 6,818.85. |
| Analysts said investors were cautious ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday, at which the central bank is expected to cut rates. | Analysts said investors were cautious ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday, at which the central bank is expected to cut rates. |
| The market appears to have hit bottom last week but it's still not in a position to keep rising Koichi Ogawa, Daiwa SB Investments | The market appears to have hit bottom last week but it's still not in a position to keep rising Koichi Ogawa, Daiwa SB Investments |
| Confidence over a sharp interest rate cut from the current level of 3.5% increased after a government report showed new US home sales had slumped at a record pace in 2007. | |
| The hope is that lower interest rates will help banks offer lower lending costs to businesses and consumers and revive economic activity. | The hope is that lower interest rates will help banks offer lower lending costs to businesses and consumers and revive economic activity. |
| "The Fed is focused on public confidence," said Bruce McCain, head of the investment strategy team for Cleveland-based Key Private Bank. | "The Fed is focused on public confidence," said Bruce McCain, head of the investment strategy team for Cleveland-based Key Private Bank. |
| The technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 1% at 2,349, while the S&P 500 index added 1.75% at 1,353.9 | The technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 1% at 2,349, while the S&P 500 index added 1.75% at 1,353.9 |
| But earlier, gloomy sentiment hung over Asian stock markets. | But earlier, gloomy sentiment hung over Asian stock markets. |
| In Japan, the Nikkei 225 had finished down 4%. | In Japan, the Nikkei 225 had finished down 4%. |
| Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed down 4.3%, while Mumbai's Sensex finished 1.1% lower. | Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed down 4.3%, while Mumbai's Sensex finished 1.1% lower. |
| 'No appetite' | 'No appetite' |
| Analysts said despite the falls in some markets, the mood seemed calmer after last week's sharp ups and downs. | Analysts said despite the falls in some markets, the mood seemed calmer after last week's sharp ups and downs. |
| Last week began with big stock market falls on growing worries over the US economy, only for them to recover later in the week through a $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan agreed between the US Congress and the Bush administration. | Last week began with big stock market falls on growing worries over the US economy, only for them to recover later in the week through a $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan agreed between the US Congress and the Bush administration. |
| "Investors don't have the appetite to buy stocks now," said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities in Hong Kong. | "Investors don't have the appetite to buy stocks now," said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities in Hong Kong. |
| "The market appears to have hit bottom last week but it's still not in a position to keep rising, considering various events pending such as the Fed rate decision," said Koichi Ogawa, chief portfolio manager at Daiwa SB Investments in Tokyo. | "The market appears to have hit bottom last week but it's still not in a position to keep rising, considering various events pending such as the Fed rate decision," said Koichi Ogawa, chief portfolio manager at Daiwa SB Investments in Tokyo. |
| Uncertainty | Uncertainty |
| Many analysts are expecting a sharp cut in US interest rates when the Fed, the US's central bank, makes its next scheduled decision on Wednesday. | Many analysts are expecting a sharp cut in US interest rates when the Fed, the US's central bank, makes its next scheduled decision on Wednesday. |
| Last week it reduced rates to 3.5% from 4.25% in an emergency move. | Last week it reduced rates to 3.5% from 4.25% in an emergency move. |
| Analysts are also waiting for any further economic details in President Bush's State of the Union address late on Monday. | Analysts are also waiting for any further economic details in President Bush's State of the Union address late on Monday. |
| "There's a lot of uncertainty out there: uncertainty over the US economy, uncertainty over China's economy," said Rob Hart, an analyst with Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong. | "There's a lot of uncertainty out there: uncertainty over the US economy, uncertainty over China's economy," said Rob Hart, an analyst with Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong. |
| "People are also worried about contagion in Europe," he added. | "People are also worried about contagion in Europe," he added. |
| "If the US slows down, will it trigger a slowdown in Europe?" | "If the US slows down, will it trigger a slowdown in Europe?" |