Stock indices traded higher on speculation the European Central Bank (ECB) will add further stimulus measures. Analysts expect that the ECB President Mario Draghi will announce on Thursday a 550 billion-euro bond-buying programme.

European stocks also benefited from the better-than-expected ZEW economic sentiment index from the Eurozone. Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index increased to 48.4 in January from 34.9 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 40.1.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index rose to 45.2 in January from 31.8 in December, beating expectations for a gain to 37.6.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,620.1 +34.57 +0.52%

DAX 10,257.13 +14.78 +0.14%

CAC 40 4,446.02 +51.09 +1.16%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecasts for global growth. It expects the world economy to expand 3.5% in 2015, down from an earlier projected 3.8% rise, and 3.7% in 2016, down from an earlier projected 4.0% gain.

The IMF expects that an economic slowdown in most major economies will outweigh the boost from lower oil prices.

The IMF estimates that Eurozone's economy will expand 1.2% this year and 1.4% in 2016.

U.S. stock-index futures advanced as China's economy grew more than forecast and investors speculated the European Central Bank will boost stimulus.

Global markets:

Nikkei 17,366.3 +352.01 +2.07%

Hang Seng 23,951.16 +212.67 +0.90%

Shanghai Composite 3,173.93 +57.58 +1.85%

FTSE 6,634.31 +48.78 +0.74%

CAC 4,454.59 +59.66 +1.36%

DAX 10,261.97 +19.62 +0.19%

Crude oil $47.21 (-3.04%)

Gold $1286.30 (+0.74%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Intel (INTC) downgraded to Mkt Underperform from Mkt Perform at JMP Securities

Yandex N.V.(YNDX) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman, target lowered from $29.30 to $14.80

Other:

Bank of America (BAC) added to Conviction Buy list at Goldman

Home Depot (HD) reiterated at Outperform at Credit Suisse, target raised from $100 to $120

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) earned $1.27 per share in the fourth quarter, beating analysts' estimate of $1.25. Revenue in the fourth quarter decreased 0.6% year-over-year to $18.25 billion, missing analysts' estimate of $18.53 billion.

The company forecast $6.12-$6.27 per share in 2015 (analysts' estimate: $6.15 per share).

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) shares increased to $103.25 (-0.76%) prior to the opening bell.

January 20

Prior to the opening bell:

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Analysts' forecast: EPS $1.25, revenue $18528.16 million.

After close of trading:

IBM. Analysts' forecast: EPS $5.42, revenue $24796.50 млн.

January 21

Prior to the opening bell:

UnitedHealth (UNH). Analysts' forecast: EPS $1.50, revenue $33146.29 million.

After close of trading:

American Express (AXP). Analysts' forecast: EPS $1.39, revenue $8560.31 million.

eBay (EBAY). Analysts' forecast: EPS $0.89, revenue $4935.04 million.

January 22

Prior to the opening bell:

Travelers (TRV). Analysts' forecast: EPS $2.52, revenue $5999.82 million.

Verizon (VZ). Analysts' forecast: EPS $0.74, revenue $32645.86 million.

January 23

Prior to the opening bell:

General Electric (GE). Analysts' forecast: EPS $0.55, revenue $42121.49 million.

McDonald's (MCD). Analysts' forecast: EPS $1.23, revenue $6715.17 million.

Honeywell (HON). Analysts' forecast: EPS $1.42, revenue $10174.59 million.

Stock indices traded higher as speculation the European Central Bank (ECB) will add further stimulus measures still supports. Analysts expect that the ECB President Mario Draghi will announce on Thursday a 550 billion-euro bond-buying programme.

European stocks also benefited from the better-than-expected ZEW economic sentiment index from the Eurozone. Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index increased to 48.4 in January from 34.9 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 40.1.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index rose to 45.2 in January from 31.8 in December, beating expectations for a gain to 37.6.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,630.12 +44.59 +0.68%

DAX 10,255.01 +12.66 +0.12%

CAC 40 4,442.07 +47.14 +1.07%

Bloomberg

HSBC Cuts GDP Outlook for 13 Oil Exporters as Price Plunges

The plunge in oil prices prompted HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) to cut this year's economic outlook for 13 crude exporters across central, eastern Europe and the Middle East, while singling out Turkey as the biggest winner from the slump.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-19/hsbc-cuts-gdp-outlook-for-13-oil-exporters-from-russia-to-u-a-e.html

Reuters

Europe shares follow Asia higher on China growth relief

(Reuters) - Shares in Europe and Asia rose on Tuesday and the dollar strengthened after China said its economy had not slowed as much as many in markets had feared.

However, the International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for global growth in 2015 by three-tenths of a percent to 3.5 percent and called on governments and central banks to pursue accommodative monetary policies and reforms.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/20/us-markets-global-idUSKBN0KR10W20150120

The New York Times

On to Plan B as Oil Work Stalls in Texas

MIDLAND, Tex. - With oil prices plummeting by more than 50 percent since June, the gleeful mood of recent years has turned glum here in West Texas as the frenzy of shale oil drilling has come to a screeching halt.

Every day, oil companies are decommissioning rigs and announcing layoffs. Small companies that lease equipment have fallen behind in their payments.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/business/energy-environment/in-texas-hunkering-down-for-the-oil-bust.html?_r=0

U.S. markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday.

Europe's stock indices followed Asian stocks and traded higher. Speculation the European Central Bank (ECB) will add further stimulus measures and better-than-expected ZEW economic sentiment index from the Eurozone supports European stocks.

UK's FTSE 100 index was up 0.33% to 6,607.38 points. Germany's DAX 30 increased 0.23% to 10,265.55 points, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.74% to 4,427.33.

Analysts expect that the ECB President Mario Draghi will announce on Thursday a 550 billion-euro bond-buying programme.

Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index increased to 48.4 in January from 34.9 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 40.1.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index rose to 45.2 in January from 31.8 in December, beating expectations for a gain to 37.6.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng increased 0.90% to 23,951.16, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.85% to 3,173.93. Asian stocks benefited from Chinese economic data. Chinese economic data weighed on the kiwi. Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 7.3% in the fourth quarter, beating forecasts of a 7.2% gain, after a 7.3% increase in the third quarter.

China's economy expanded 7.4% in 2014 (2013: +7.7%), the slowest growth since 1990.

China's industrial production climbed 7.9% in December, exceeding expectations for a 7.4% increase, after a 7.2% gain in November.

Japan's Nikkei gained 2.07% to 17,366.3 due to a weaker yen and better-than-expected Chinese GDP. The yen weakened against the greenback ahead of policy meetings at the Bank of Japan and the ECB.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

S&P/ASX 200 5,309.14 +9.90 +0.19%

SHANGHAI COMP 3,116.44 -260.05 -7.70%

HANG SENG 23,729.87 -373.65 -1.55%

FTSE 100 6,585.53 +35.26 +0.54%

CAC 40 4,394.93 +15.31 +0.35%

Xetra DAX 10,242.35 +74.58 +0.73%