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

Nikkei 225 17,300.86 +12.11 +0.07%

Hang Seng 23,349.64 -23.67 -0.10%

Shanghai Composite 2,452.62 +1.63 +0.07%

FTSE 100 6,678.9 -17.70 -0.26%

CAC 40 4,234.21 -31.98 -0.75%

Xetra DAX 9,483.97 +11.17 +0.12%

S&P 500 2,052.75 +4.03 +0.20%

NASDAQ Composite 4,701.87 +26.16 +0.56%

Dow Jones 17,719 +33.27 +0.19%

Most stock indices closed slightly lower due to the weaker-than-expected economic data from the Eurozone and China. Eurozone's consumer confidence index declined to -11.6 in November from -11 in October. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at -11.

Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing PMI fell to 50.4 in November from 50.6 in October, missing expectations for a rise to 50.9.

Eurozone's preliminary services PMI declined to 51.3 in November from 52.3 in October. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged.

Germany's preliminary manufacturing PMI decreased to 50.0 in November from 51.4 in October, missing forecasts of an increase to 51.5.

Germany's preliminary services PMI fell to 52.1 in November from 54.4 in October, missing expectations for a gain to 54.5.

France's preliminary manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.6 in November from 48.5 in October, missing forecasts of a rise to 48.9.

France's preliminary services PMI climbed to 48.8 in October from 48.3 in October, exceeding expectations for a gain to 48.6.

China's HSBC preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index dropped 50.0 in November from 50.4 in October, missing expectations for a decline to 50.2.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,678.9 -17.70 -0.26%

DAX 9,483.97 +11.17 +0.12%

CAC 40 4,234.21 -31.98 -0.75%

U.S. stock-index futures declined as data showed consumer prices were little changed while weaker manufacturing in the euro area and China added to signs of a deepening global economic slowdown.

Global markets:

Nikkei 17,300.86 +12.11 +0.07%

Hang Seng 23,349.64 -23.67 -0.10%

Shanghai Composite 2,452.62 +1.63 +0.07%

FTSE 6,651.64 -44.96 -0.67%

CAC 4,213.23 -52.96 -1.24%

DAX 9,407.14 -65.66 -0.69%

Crude oil $74.67 (+0.12%)

Gold $1190.20 (-0.30%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

American Express (AXP) initiated with a Mkt Perform at Bernstein

Apple (AAPL) reiterated at Overweight at Piper Jaffray, target raised from $120 to $135

Apple (AAPL) reiterated at Overweight at Morgan Stanley, target raised from $115 to $126

European stocks further declined after disappointing preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity in France, Germany and the Eurozone. Markets are awaiting the release of U.S. data on initial jobless claims, consumer price indices, existing home sales and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey later in today's session giving further indication of economic growth in the world's largest economy. The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.63% at 6,654.60 points, Germany's DAX 30 is down -0.71% trading at 9,405.25 points and France's CAC 40 lost -1.18% currently quoted at 4,215.73 points.

European stocks are quoted lower in early trading after disappointing preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity. French manufacturing PMI for November showed a sector deterioration reading 47.6 with a forecast of 48.9. German preliminary data showing a stall with the manufacturing PMI at 50.0 not meeting forecasts at 51.1 and the service PMI at 52.1, 2.4 points below forecasts. Eurozone's manufacturing PMI declined to 50.4 (forecast 50.9), services PMI fell to 51.3 (forecast 52.3).

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading lower at -0.41% at 6,668.98 points, Germany's DAX 30 is down -0.73% trading at 9,403.96 points and France's CAC 40 lost the most at -0.90% currently quoted at 4,227.69 points. Markets are awaiting the release of U.S. data on initial jobless claims, consumer price indices, existing home sales and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey later in today's session and Eurozone's consumer confidence.

The DOW Jones and S&P 500 were trading slightly negative in Wednesday's trading session after dovish minutes from the Federal Reserve retreating from previous sessions highs. The DOW Jones closed at 17,685.73, a loss of -0.01% and the S&P500 closed lower with a small loss of -0.15% at 2,048.72 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng trading +0.09% at 23,392.28 and China's Shanghai Composite +0.07% closing at 2,452.62 points were slightly positive despite a loss of momentum in China's economy as the preliminary HSBC Manufacturing PMI dropped to 50 and couldn't meet forecasts predicting 50.2.

Japan's Nikkei closed with a gain of +0.07% at 17,300.86 points not far from its seven-year high supported by a weakening yen.