European markets --- Mike (slow)
Asian markets --- Gene (slow)
>> for a look at likely market movers in the asia-pacific region, we have this from our tokyo bureau. [no audio]
>> we’ll, we couldn’t get that one going. we’ll try to get gene back for you in a few moments. we’ll go over to london and see if mike barton is available. he filed a report on what’s likely to happen in europe next week.
>> the busiest week so far with nine companys in the dow jones top 50 reporting. a total weight of about 1/4 of the indegs. on monday, third quarter results in the first half, profit more than doubled. michelin expanded in asia and increased sales of high performance and truck replacement tires, which are more profitable than standard tires. the chief executive said he expects a rise in full-year earnings while the second half won’t be as positive as the first. he said higher raw material prices will dent the french-based company’s operating profit margin in the second half. turning to spain, bbva may say net income climbed 17%, helped by acquisitions and consumer banking earnings.under chairman francisco gonzalez, the company made about $5.2 billion in acquisitions in mexico and the southern u.s. this year. bbva is focusing on few kuhle funds, mortgages and credit cards to help boost profit. business confidence is expected to decline in october. the ifo institute reported a drop in december as oil prices threaten to temper export growth. earlier this week, it was said growth would slow this year as consumers hesitate to increase spending. for bloomberg news in london, i’m mark barton.
>> for a look at likely market movers now in the asia pacific region, we do have gene reporting.
>> profits rose in the fiscal second hero with a little help with “spiderman 2.” helps offset sony’s slimmer margins in the technology. microelectronics may say profits more than doubled. tsmc reports tuesday. u.m.c. reports wednesday. the nikkei had its biggest drop in two years in the second quarter. japan’s largest brokerage is the worst performing stock of 17 securities companies trading in coke owe this year, it reports on thursday. honda’s second quarter profit probably rous rose in asia and europe. they sold more sport ewe tilly vehicles in the u.s. in july, honda raised its four-year earnings forecast by almost 7%. results are out wednesday. singapore airlines may report higher second-quarter profits, as travel demand increased during the northern hemisphere’s summer holiday season. rising cargo demand also helped asia’s most profitable carrier. earnings are out thursday. on the economic front, japanese industrial production probably rose for a second month in september. manufacturers are building up inventories, expecting strong year-end demand for digital cameras and flat spanl screens. production probably fell and may weaken in coming months. figure are out thursday. the following day, september unemployment figures. japan’s jobless rate probably fell to 4.7% as rising exports prompted companies to hire more workers as lower than expected rainfall hurts crops and threatens economic growth. india’s central bank is expected to keep rates a at 31-year low on tuesday. new zealand, expected to raise rates for a sixth time this year. the central bank governor is expected to increase the benchmark to a four-year high of 6.5% to slow the economy and curb inflation. the announcement comes thursday. that’s a look at the week ahead. now back to you.
>> lazard’s biggest shareholder is backing dabivet. he said he would sell its stuck for eurzareo goes public week. wasserstein says he will not end before his contract runs out in 2006 no matter what. it’s world series time and the fox sports president says this world series may be up with of the highest rated ever.
