Career News 24/7: 10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell, February 7, 2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell, February 7, 2012

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

Asian markets were mixed in overnight trading, with China's Shanghai SE Composite shedding 1.7 percent. European shares are mostly lower while U.S. futures point to a negative open.
Time is running out in Greece, which must secure its second bailout package of €130 billion, or $171 billion, to avoid default. Today Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos is expected to call politicians to discuss the implementation and details of the cuts leaders have already agreed to in principle. Here's who gets hurt if Greece defaults >
U.S. regulators are on the verge of proposing new regulations for the $2.7 trillion money-market fund industry over the coming two weeks, the Wall Street Journal's Andrew Ackerman and Kirsten Grind report. The new rules would require the short-term money instrument funds to reserve capital through one of three ways, including stock or debt offerings. However, fund managers are vastly opposed to the new regulations.
German industrial production fell 2.9 percent in December, an unexpected loss as most economists saw the country posting flat production. It also marks the largest drop in two years, accelerating November's 0.6 percent decline. All sectors saw lower activity, with investment goods down 3.6 percent, and construction activity off 6.4 percent.
India's economy is forecast to grow by 6.9 percent for the year ending in March, below economist expectations for a 7.0 percent rise. If growth declines to 6.9 percent, it would be the slowest expansionary rate in three years. India has had difficulty battling high inflation this year, and its central bank has been focused on trying to tame that number. This is what will happen in emerging markets this year.
Glencore, one of the world's biggest commodity trading houses, agreed to buy mining company Xstrata for £39.1 billion, or $62 billion. That number is much lower than earlier estimates that pegged the deal at £50 billion. The transaction will be completed entirely with stock, and the combined company will have annual sales over $209 billion. Meet the mysterious commodity brokerage firms that control prices of the world's goods >
Toyota raised its annual profit forecast to ¥200 billion, or $2.6 billion, from ¥180 billion. However that figure is substantially below analyst estimates for ¥285.4 billion. The Japanese automaker said cost cuts helped protect profitability, as the yen's surge cut profitability by ¥200 billion.
Australia's largest investment bank, Macquarie, slashed its full-year profit guidance 25 percent as trading revenues remain weak. A drop of 25 percent would mean earnings of slightly more than $765 million. The bank noted improvement in its fixed income and currency division, but that capital markets and its annuity business remained severely impacted.
U.S. economic announcements begin at 10:00 a.m., with JOLTs Job Openings and economic sentiment. Job openings are seen expanding to 3.25 million from 3.16 million. Meanwhile, optimism as measured by Investor's Business Daily is seen jumping to 48.6 from 47.5. A level above 50 indicates a positive outlook.
Earnings season continues with major reports out from Coca-Cola and Walt Disney. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expect earnings per share of $0.77 and $0.71 for Coke and Disney, respectively. The House of Mouse will be watched closely to see how advertising is holding up at the start of 2012. Click here to see what we've already learned this earnings season >