Daily Stock Reports
- American Public Media
- Wall Street Journal
- Bloomberg News
- BBC - World Business News
- TheStreet.com
- Market Place
- Marketwatch
- Rueters
- CNN
- NPR
Oil prices claw back ground
(AFP)
10 Mar 2010, 6:18 am
AFP - World oil prices firmed on Wednesday before the eagerly-awaited weekly snapshot on US energy inventories in leading consumer the United States.
Brown-Forman 3Q profit falls on higher expenses
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 6:10 am
AP - The maker of Jack Daniel's whiskey and Korbel champagne says its fiscal third-quarter profit slipped, pinched by higher expenses. Real Estate's Link to the Small Business Credit Crunch
(BusinessWeek)
10 Mar 2010, 6:08 am
BusinessWeek - It's no secret that small businesses in the U.S. face difficulties accessing credit. According to a survey of a random sample of 751 small businesses conducted by Gallup at the end of 2009 for the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, 44% of small businesses seeking credit in 2009 received only some or none of the money they sought. This level of credit access compares poorly with mid-2000, when nine of every 10 companies seeking credit received it. While there is broad agreement that a small business credit problem exists, there is less consensus about its causes. ... Swiss Re puts Chile quake insurance cost at $4-7BN
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 6:00 am
AP - Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Wednesday that the strong earthquake in Chile last month will cost the insurance industry $4-7 billion, an estimate shared by its Germany-based rival Munich Re AG. GDP to slow in Q1, Fed rates on hold to Q3
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 5:54 am
Reuters - After a growth spurt at the end of 2009, the U.S. economy will slow in the months ahead, keeping the Federal Reserve from raising borrowing costs until the final three months of the year, a Reuters poll showed. 
Shell Stops Gas Sales to Iran
10 Mar 2010, 5:50 am
The Anglo-Dutch oil major said it is no longer selling gasoline to Iran, the latest company to make such a move during threats of tougher sanctions against the Islamic republic. Home loan demand nudge higher in latest week
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 5:42 am
Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications nudged up last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
Portugal sells $1.34 billion worth of bonds
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 5:31 am
AP - The head of Portugal's debt agency says a euro990 million ($1.34 billion) bond auction was oversubscribed, suggesting the government's austerity plan has eased market concerns about the country's high debts. European stocks edge ahead as investors await data
(AFP)
10 Mar 2010, 5:24 am
AFP - Europe's leading stock markets nudged higher on Wednesday as traders awaited key US economic data and assessed the latest batch of company results.
OPEC raises 2010 oil demand forecast
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 5:17 am
AP - OPEC has raised its projections for oil demand growth this year by 100,000 barrels per day, but stresses that gains could be eroded if the U.S. government scales back on stimulus efforts before the country's economy fully recovers. Stock futures inch higher ahead of opening
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 5:05 am
AP - Investors are continuing to search for direction Wednesday, after two days of relatively flat trading. Stock futures edged higher.
Ahead of the Bell: February budget deficit
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 4:19 am
AP - Economists believe that the federal budget deficit through the first five months of the budget year is running at a record-breaking pace, with the February imbalance likely to climb to the highest level this fiscal year. China Exports Show Tentative Recovery
10 Mar 2010, 4:15 am
China's exports expanded strongly for the third straight month in February, though they slipped slightly from January, showing the recovery remains tentative. Dutch fine Fortis for false information
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 4:13 am
AP - Belgian insurer Fortis Holding said Wednesday that Dutch regulators fined it euro576,000 ($781,000) for giving incorrect information about the financial situation of Fortis bank, months before it nearly collapsed and sought government rescue. Greek strike to shut down services Thursday
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 4:07 am
AP - Greek unions say nationwide strikes will shut down all public services, closing schools, customs and tax offices, halting public transport and grounding flights for 24 hours.
China Mobile to Buy 20% of Pudong Bank
10 Mar 2010, 3:47 am
China Mobile said it agreed to buy a 20% stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank for $5.83 billion as the mobile operator seeks to expand into mobile payment services. German January exports up 0.2 percent on year
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 3:33 am
AP - Official data shows German January exports improved 0.2 percent compared with January 2009 but declined a sharp 6.3 percent from December. Stock futures signal higher open; Facet eyed
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 3:14 am
Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.07 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.09 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.25 percent.
OECD: gov'ts must cut deficits, boost regulation
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 3:04 am
AP - Rich countries must strengthen financial market regulation and bring down their oversized government deficits, two of the biggest new challenges to have arisen from the global economic crisis, the OECD said Wednesday. Airlines Offer to Cede Airport Slots
10 Mar 2010, 2:30 am
The European Commission said British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have offered to give away take-off and landing slots at London and New York airports to get EU clearance for their airline alliance. BA, American, Iberia to cede airport slots
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 2:03 am
AP - EU regulators say British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia are offering to give away take-off and landing slots at London and New York airports to soothe European Union antitrust concerns. Infosys says outsourcing deal pipeline improving
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 2:00 am
Reuters - Infosys Technologies, India's No. 2 software services exporter, is seeing a rise in outsourcing deal flows due to a recovery in the global economy, a top official said on Wednesday.
Munich Re's Net Profit Soars
10 Mar 2010, 1:57 am
Munich Re said fourth-quarter net profit surged due to lower claims for natural disasters, an improved investment result and higher premium income. Investors Tap Into Deathbed Bond Deals
10 Mar 2010, 1:35 am
Billions of dollars in corporate bonds sold to retail investors come with an unusual provision that could be used to generate a fast profit. There's just one catch: Investors must team up to buy the bonds with someone who is about to die. FTSE 100 shares slip in early trade
(AFP)
10 Mar 2010, 1:32 am
AFP - Leading shares nudged lower at the start of trade on Wednesday amid continuing uncertainty over Europe's economic outlook.
China plans new trade office as global disputes grow: sources
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 1:25 am
Reuters - China is setting up a new agency to help streamline its trade negotiating bureaucracy as the world's third-largest economy faces a growing number of commercial disputes. UK's Brown warns of new economic woes
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 1:24 am
AP - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warns that the U.K. may suffer another economic downturn, including a possible dip back into recession. Highlights of Senate jobless aid bill
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 1:19 am
AP - Highlights of Senate legislation extending unemployment insurance and expired tax breaks: Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 1:19 am
AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.
Nationalized UK bank Northern Rock back in profit
(AP)
10 Mar 2010, 1:04 am
AP - Nationalized mortgage lender Northern Rock said Wednesday that it returned to profit in the second half of 2009 as interest income rose and losses on loans fell. Strong China trade data make case for firmer yuan
(Reuters)
10 Mar 2010, 12:12 am
Reuters - Chinese exports and imports grew faster than expected in February, underlining the momentum behind the world's third-largest economy and reinforcing the case for a rise in the yuan. GM Daewoo vows to return to black this year
(AFP)
9 Mar 2010, 11:57 pm
AFP - GM Daewoo, the South Korean unit of struggling US auto giant General Motors, said Wednesday it intends to return to profit this year and currently needs no further financial support from creditors.
UK PM Brown warns of bumpy economic road ahead
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 11:06 pm
Reuters - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sees risks to the economic recovery and says it is not the moment to change course as he prepares for an election by June. Curbing derivatives might hurt, not help, Greece
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 10:09 pm
AP - Derivatives have become a dirty word.
Cable Companies Petition FCC
9 Mar 2010, 9:49 pm
Cable operators are petitioning the FCC to prohibit broadcasters from yanking channels during fee negotiations, as happened in the recent Cablevision-Disney dispute over ABC. Lindsay Lohan Sues Over TV Ad
9 Mar 2010, 9:40 pm
Actress Lindsay Lohan has sued an arm of E*Trade Financial, alleging the company misappropriated her name and personality in a recent TV ad. US to expose trade barriers in new report
(AFP)
9 Mar 2010, 9:38 pm
AFP - The United States said it would expose "troublesome" foreign trade barriers in a strategy to prise open markets for doubling American exports to ease an unemployment crisis at home.
Asian stocks near 6-week highs, cool to China data
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 9:11 pm
Reuters - Asian stocks hovered near six-week highs on Wednesday as Chinese data showed exports and imports in February were better than expected, while the euro and the pound suffered on renewed concerns about Europe's fiscal problems.
Haiti Relief Races Against Rain
9 Mar 2010, 8:50 pm
Hundreds of thousands of residents of Port-au-Prince's tent cities remain to be relocated before hard rains begin next month. High-Grade Bond Sales Pick Up
9 Mar 2010, 8:03 pm
Highly rated companies offered about $12 billion in new bonds after a $12 billion day Monday, as they take advantage of low borrowing costs and investor appetite. Businesses Buy Ads vs. Health Overhaul
9 Mar 2010, 8:03 pm
Some big U.S. business groups announced a multimillion-dollar TV ad campaign aimed at defeating the Democrats' health-care legislation. ILFC Debt Draws Strong Demand
9 Mar 2010, 7:58 pm
A $1.3 billion loan offering from International Lease Finance Corp. has met with strong investor demand, which will enable the aircraft-leasing unit of AIG raise fresh funds to repay some of its maturing debt. In Ireland, a Blueprint for Euro Zone
9 Mar 2010, 7:49 pm
Debt-laden Ireland is winning applause for adopting severe measures that Greece has put off, but pay cuts and tax hikes have put public servants in some unusual binds. Home Buyers Check Out Apps
9 Mar 2010, 7:42 pm
Just in time for the spring house-hunting season, smart-phone applications that provide information to home buyers are proliferating. BofA Ends Overdraft Fees on Debit Buys
9 Mar 2010, 7:30 pm
Bank of America plans to announce that it is eliminating $35 overdraft fees on debit-card purchases as the bank tries to stay ahead of a sweeping round of regulations. In This Afghanistan, the Blood Is Fake
9 Mar 2010, 7:26 pm
Afghan battle scenes with Hollywood-style special effects are staged by a company in San Diego to help U.S. soldiers prepare for deployments. Letterman Producer Pleads Guilty
9 Mar 2010, 7:13 pm
Robert Halderman, a former CBS news producer, admitted he tried to extort $2 million from late-night talk-show host David Letterman. Black & Decker CEO to Get Big Payday
9 Mar 2010, 6:51 pm
If his company merges with Stanley Works, Black & Decker's CEO is in line for a pay package that could be worth over $89 million after three years. Asia Mixed; Aurox Rises on Merger Talks
9 Mar 2010, 6:39 pm
Asian stock markets were mixed Wednesday, with stocks drifting as investors looked to cues later in the week. In Australia, Aurox Resources powered higher on news of a merger with Atlas Iron. Ex-Clinton Aide Looks to Death Row
9 Mar 2010, 5:43 pm
Betsey Wright, an outspoken death-penalty opponent charged with trying to smuggle contraband to a death-row inmate, will ask a state court to allow a videotaped deposition of the man before he is executed. SEC chief economist leaving
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 5:25 pm
AP - The chief economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who is an expert on the financial instruments that figured largely in the 2008 crisis, is leaving his position for the private sector. Build America Bonds Pay Off on Wall Street
9 Mar 2010, 5:10 pm
Bond underwriters handling the Obama administration-backed Build America bonds have collected more than $1 billion in fees so far. RBS Boosts Banking Staff in U.S.
9 Mar 2010, 5:02 pm
RBS's U.S. global banking and markets unit increased staff levels by 4% last year and plans to continue hiring, in an illustration of how insulated its transatlantic business has been from a departure of employees in the U.K. Studio Creditors' Plan B
9 Mar 2010, 5:01 pm
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer creditors are signaling that they would rather convert their debt to equity than sell for an unsatisfactory price. More Wore Wires in Galleon Case
9 Mar 2010, 5:00 pm
Prosecutors equipped several cooperating witnesses with recording devices to try to obtain information about targets in the Galleon insider-trading probe. Boston Beer 4th-qtr profit more than doubles
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:44 pm
AP - Boston Beer Co.'s fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as it shipped out more beer and its profit margin grew and write-downs fell, the company said Tuesday after the market closed. Texas Instruments CEO pay up 2 percent to $9.8M
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:27 pm
AP - Chip maker Texas Instruments Inc.'s CEO's compensation edged up in 2009, according to calculations by the Associated Press, a recession year that proved difficult for the chipmaker. Summary Box: Gains slow after big year for stocks
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:10 pm
AP - A YEAR LATER: The Dow Jones industrial average is up 61.4 percent since it closed at a 12-year low of 6,547 on March 9, 2009. On paper, U.S. stocks have gained about $5.7 trillion but are still down about $5.5 trillion from the peak in October 2007. How the major stock indexes fared on Tuesday
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:03 pm
AP - Financial companies led stocks higher Tuesday on the one-year anniversary of the market's hitting a 12-year low. The gain in bank stocks came as traders reacted to rumors that the government might prohibit the trades known as short sales in the stocks of companies it owns. Such a move would be aimed at preventing sharp drops in stocks including Citigroup Inc. and American International Group Inc. Kroger, Ruby Tuesday, UAL are big movers
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 3:58 pm
AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: Bristol-Myers CEO's 2009 compensation down 22 pct
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 3:42 pm
AP - The Associated Press has found the chief executive of drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. saw his 2009 compensation fall by 22 percent amid the recession. Cisco unveils system for super-fast Internet
(AFP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:55 pm
AFP - Cisco Systems on Tuesday unveiled super-fast Internet hardware that promises to boost US competitiveness and bolster economic recovery by moving mountains of data at astounding speeds.
SEC chief economist leaving
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:55 pm
AP - The chief economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who is an expert on the financial instruments that figured largely in the 2008 crisis, is leaving his position for the private sector. SEC sues ex-NY loan trader over alleged kickbacks
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 2:49 pm
Reuters - A former stock loan trader at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Corp in New York received well over $100,000 of cash kickbacks by steering orders to other brokerage firms, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday. Kroger 4Q profit falls 27 percent; margins shrink
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:31 pm
AP - The Kroger Co. is sacrificing some profits to court financially strapped shoppers who are buying more groceries at lower prices, counting on them to keep coming back when better economic days finally arrive.
Northgate Minerals posts loss on charges
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:28 pm
AP - Northgate Minerals Corp., a Canadian copper and gold mining company, said Tuesday it reversed a profit and posted a fourth-quarter net loss largely because of an $83.5 million impairment charge. Steel Dynamics issues weak 1Q earnings outlook
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:24 pm
AP - Steel Dynamics Inc. on Tuesday issued a first-quarter earnings outlook that mostly fell below analysts' estimates, citing weakness in its structural steel and fabrication operations. Correction: Cooper earnings stories
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 1:30 pm
AP - In headlines for a March 4 story and headlines and a story March 5 about Cooper Companies Inc., The Associated Press reported erroneously the fiscal period for the company's earnings. The company reported fiscal results for the first quarter, not the fourth quarter. The March 5 story was datelined New York. Jobless aid, tax breaks clear hurdle in Senate
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 1:22 pm
Reuters - Democratic efforts to spur job creation advanced in Congress Tuesday as a $149 billion package of tax breaks and unemployment aid cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate. U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 1:15 pm
Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday. U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 1:15 pm
Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday. Kroger 4Q earnings at glance
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 12:53 pm
AP - Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. reported fourth quarter and annual earnings Tuesday: United Technologies cuts CEO compensation
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 11:09 am
AP - United Technologies Corp. cut CEO Louis Chenevert's compensation nearly 19 percent last year, according to a document it filed with federal regulators. The company praised his performance but said the recession hurt the conglomerate, especially its aerospace business. FTSE shares inch lower
(AFP)
9 Mar 2010, 10:40 am
AFP - The FTSE 100 stock exchange slipped fractionally on Tuesday after a bout of cautious trading due to uncertainty over Europe's economic outlook and poor earnings reports, analysts said.
A look at global economic developments
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 10:30 am
AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday: A look at global economic developments
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 10:30 am
AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday: Consumer confidence lowest since March 2009: IBD
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 8:02 am
Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence fell in March to its lowest level in a year, as high unemployment and the ways in which the government is using taxpayer money draw mounting apprehension in households, a research group said on Tuesday. Fed's Evans says labor market weakness pervasive
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 7:47 am
Reuters - Weak U.S. labor markets are likely to justify easy money policies for quite a while longer, a top Federal Reserve official said on Tuesday. Management Education on the Fly
(BusinessWeek)
9 Mar 2010, 6:08 am
BusinessWeek - Who got us into this mess? It's not just greedy mortgage lenders and irresponsible economists who are responsible for the current financial crisis. Leaders, so called, have played a role too, by not managing their companies and so being detached from what was going on in them. And behind much of this has been an educational process that encouraged such detachment. As I've argued at length in my book, Managers not MBAs, the MBA is fine education -- but in the functions of business, not the exercise of managing. ... The Soundtrack to My First Semester
(BusinessWeek)
9 Mar 2010, 6:08 am
BusinessWeek - A first semester in business school is probably best summed up through some sort of interpretive dance.Refusing to be confined to words only, I am supplementing this entry with music."My B-school Playlist" (downloadable here) is a song collection recapping my first semester. 1) Jordin Sparks, Battlefield Business school is the most intense thing I have done -- and that includes fleeing a war-torn country. The pace of classes is brutal and the amount of learning intense. As a career-switcher, I've had to add researching companies and pursuing informational interviews to my plate. ... Business Schools Revamp the Application
(BusinessWeek)
9 Mar 2010, 6:08 am
BusinessWeek - Change is a dominant feature of business schools. Curricula change, new courses are added or dropped every year, professors come and go, and entire programs are born, evolve, or die. But until recently one thing that hasn't changed much in many years is the application process: A paper application, set deadlines, interviews, and recommendations are still its component parts. Today, though, that process is beginning to undergo a transformation. Some applications have become more inclusive by accepting GRE and IELTS scores, in addition to the more traditional GMAT and TOEFL scores. ... Stock futures fall on 1-year anniversary of low
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:51 am
AP - Stock futures are falling, a year after the stock market hit bottom.
European stocks fall as markets mark dark anniversary
(AFP)
9 Mar 2010, 4:41 am
AFP - Europe's leading stock markets dropped in morning trade on Tuesday as investors reacted to poor earnings news on the grim anniversary of global indices striking multi-year low points.
Stock futures signal dip; Texas Instruments eyed
(Reuters)
9 Mar 2010, 4:10 am
Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.36 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.26 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.23 percent at 1049 GMT (5:49 a.m. ET).
Audi '09 net income down 39 pct to $1.8 billion
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 2:31 am
AP - German carmaker Audi AG says its 2009 net income fell 39 percent to euro1.35 billion ($1.8 billion) as the economic downturn cut demand for its cars. Severstal posts $162 mln net loss in Q4
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 1:57 am
AP - Russia's largest steelmaker Severstal on Tuesday posted a $162 million net loss in the fourth quarter of 2009 but signalled confidence in the year ahead. Deutsche Post Q4 net loss narrows to $385 million
(AP)
9 Mar 2010, 12:53 am
AP - German mail and logistics company Deutsche Post AG says its net loss for the fourth quarter narrowed to euro283 million ($385 million) largely because of a cost savings program. H&R Block 3Q profit rises despite fewer returns
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 7:20 pm
AP - H&R Block Inc. on Monday said its fiscal third quarter profit rose 7 percent, as lower costs offset a revenue drop that stemmed from handling fewer returns. Asian markets listless a day after gains
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 6:22 pm
AP - Asian stock markets were little changed early Tuesday, taking a breather after gains Monday fueled by a better-than-expected jobs report from the U.S.
Casey's General Stores profit up in 3rd qtr
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 5:13 pm
AP - Casey's General Stores reported Monday that its profit grew 23 percent in the third quarter, though bad weather hampered business. Alamo Group reaps 4Q profit from recent purchase
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 4:56 pm
AP - Alamo Group Inc. harvested a fourth-quarter profit as the mowing equipment manufacturer's agricultural division got a boost from a recently completed acquisition. Flamel posts larger 4Q loss, higher revenue
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 4:54 pm
AP - French drug developer Flamel Technologies SA posted a larger net loss Monday as higher revenue wasn't enough to make up for higher expenses. Summary Box: Stocks end day of quiet trading mixed
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 4:41 pm
AP - MODEST MOVES: Stocks ended mixed after insurer American International Group Inc. reached a deal to sell one of its major foreign divisions to MetLife Inc. for $15.5 billion. Investors see buyouts as a sign of confidence in the economy. How the major stock indexes fared on Monday
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 4:16 pm
AP - Stocks ended mixed after a new round of mergers and acquisitions raised some hope for the economy. Financial shares rose after insurer American International Group Inc. reached a deal to sell one of its major foreign divisions to MetLife Inc. for $15.5 billion. Meanwhile, health care stocks fell after President Barack Obama called for passage of health care legislation. Earnings roundup: H&R Block, Yingli Green Energy
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 3:48 pm
AP - Among the earnings stories for Monday, March 8, from AP Financial News: AIG, McDonald's, IMAX, Yahoo are big movers
(AP)
8 Mar 2010, 3:26 pm
AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: FTSE 100 inches higher
(AFP)
8 Mar 2010, 10:39 am
AFP - The FTSE 100 stock exchange inched higher on Monday as a rally brought on by better-than-expected US jobs data petered out due to uncertainty about Europe's economic outlook.