Share Trading News Page 2

As reported by the BBC, the owner Foxconn, Hon Hai Group, has announced plans to invest 133 billion yen ($1.6 billipn; £1 billion) in electronics maker Sharp. The deal is expected to boost Sharp's LCD sector, which has been experiencing losses. The tie-in comes as the firm confronts stiff competition from Taiwanese and Chinese companies....

As reported by Reuters, market shares in BP increased less than many analysts had expected after the oil giant finalised a settlement worth around $7.8 billion with firms and individuals hit by the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. Investors said the legal settlement was generally lived up to expectations, but the reduced legal...

As reported by the BBC, US insurance giant AIG, who was bailed out in 2008 by the US government, is auctioning off shares worth $6 billion of the Hong Kong-based AIA Group, in order to help repay its debt to the US government. AIG is selling 1.7 billion shares for a price range of 27.15-27.50 HK dollars per share, say Bloomberg and...

As reported by the BBC, shares in clothing company Gap went up 7% after reporting strong sales for February. Abnormally warm weather has persuaded American shoppers and the company said its spring items have been selling very well. With sales growing 12%, the firm’s Banana Republic chain also had a particularly strong month. After a...

As reported by the BBC, Apple's stock market value finished above $500 billion for the first time, solidifying its position as the globe’s most valuable company. Only six American firms have ever reached a value of over $500 billion. In 2007, oil giant Exxon was worth this much, while Microsoft was temporarily worth $600 billion in...

As reported by the BBC, India's Essar Energy shares have dropped by over 10% following the company’s reports of a post-tax loss for 2011. The firm saw a loss of $568 million for the calendar year, in comparison to its 2010 profit of $248 million. The company said 2011 had seen many challenges, with weaker refining margins and a lower...

As reported by the BBC, Billabong shares have gone up by over 60% as the firm announced a restructuring scheme after TPG Capital offered a takeover bid from. Billabong’s shares surged as much as A$2.93 (up from A$1.79) at the Australia Securities Exchange. The firm will sell off a stake of its Nixon brand, shut down unprofitable stores...

Carmaker Toyota has raised its annual profits forecast, stating its recovery is on target following the blow of the Japanese tsunami, the strong yen and Thai floods. The company made a 80.9 billion yen profit ($1.05 billion; £660 million) between October - December, a drop of 13.5%. However, it raised its yearly profit forecast to 200...

Australia’s largest investment bank Macquarie Group has said it anticipates that full year profits will fall by 25 per cent because a weak market is affecting its business, reports the BBC. Its investment and trading banking operations were the most severely hit, said the company in a statement. The bank’s shares dropped five per cent...