On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:
Japanese retail sales fell in March at the fastest annual pace since 1998 and could remain weak for some time as last month's earthquake, radiation leaks from a damaged nuclear reactor and fears of electricity shortages weigh on consumer sentiment.
The U.S. dollar plumbed a near 3-year low against other major currencies on Wednesday before a Federal Reserve decision where it is expected to reinforce its ultra-easy policy stance while stocks in Asia's developed markets rose, tracking a strong close on Wall Street.
First quarter results from Ericsson look set to benefit from a recovery in the global network gear market that could help soften any impact on its supply chain from the earthquake in Japan.
Amazon.com gave a confident revenue forecast that suggested its aggressive expansion into new businesses is paying off, soothing concerns about its slimmed-down profit margin.
The Japan disaster and aftermath are cutting into the sales and profits of U.S. companies that serve Japanese consumers, from Coca Cola to Coach Inc and 3M Co , even though shoppers are showing some resilience.
Amazon.com gave a confident revenue forecast that suggested its aggressive expansion into new businesses is paying off, soothing concerns about its slimmed-down profit margin.
Solid earnings from Ford, 3M Co and United Parcel Service lifted stocks on Tuesday, but the rally to around three-year highs may face a hurdle as the Federal Reserve begins a policy meeting.
Coach Inc reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as sales at its North American stores soared, but the upscale handbag maker warned that the disasters in Japan would dent results.
United Parcel Service reported a quarterly profit that beat estimates as price hikes stuck, and the world's largest package delivery company raised its 2011 forecast for record results.
Industrial and consumer goods conglomerate 3M Co reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by sales to emerging markets, and raised its full-year profit forecast.
Coca-Cola Co's quarterly results slightly missed Wall Street estimates, as the Japan earthquake and the timing of marketing expenses overshadowed strong sales volume, and its shares fell 2.3 percent.
The euro zone's overall budget gap fell last year but deficits in Greece and Portugal were higher than expected, underlining the challenges presented by their austerity programs.
Silver and gold tumbled on Tuesday as investors sold on uncertainty about the direction of monetary policy in the United States, but a softer dollar helped support prices and sentiment.
Coca-Cola Co's quarterly profit missed Wall Street estimates by a penny, hurt by lost revenue in Japan, and its shares fell 1.4 percent in premarket trading.
Ford Motor Co reported its best first-quarter profit in 13 years, driven by strong sales in its home market and demand for more fuel efficient vehicles.
UBS appeared to put the financial crisis behind it, with money pouring back into its core wealth management arm in the first quarter, although its investment bank struggled to regain momentum.
At 0909 GMT (5:09 a.m. ET) futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq futures were 0.1 to 0.3 percent higher.
Silver tumbled before finding a footing on Tuesday, dragging prices of gold and oil with it and subduing European shares, although investors were wary of taking strong positions ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Unveiling its first ever tablet PCs, S1 and S2; Sony has effectively launched a salvo into the ongoing tablet wars.
UBS reported a big rise in client inflows in the first quarter on Tuesday, attracting the most money for its wealth management arm since the financial crisis began.
Japan's Canon Inc <7751.T> reported a 5 percent fall in quarterly operating profit and slashed its annual outlook to below market expectations as it tries to deal with a quake-hit supply chain that it said was months away from being fixed.
