Stocks 12/24/2006

Stocks

U.S.
U.S. Stocks Have Worst Weekly Drop in Five Months as Economic Growth Slows U.S. stocks suffered their biggest weekly decline in five months after growth in the world's largest economy weakened, factory production dropped and prices paid by companies surged.
Amylin, Eli Lilly, Emcore, Openwave Systems, Siga: U.S. Equity Preview The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges on Dec. 26. Markets will be shut on Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. This preview includes news that broke after exchanges closed. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.
Canadian Stocks Have Weekly Drop as Commodities Fall; Alcan Shares Decline Canadian stocks had a second straight weekly decline, paring the Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index's gain for the year to 13 percent, on concern that a cooling U.S. economy will curb demand for Canadian exports.
Latin Stocks Drop in Week on U.S. Rates, Commodities; America Movil Slips Latin American stocks fell, heading for the first weekly decline in three, as prospects faded for a cut in U.S. interest rates next year that would boost emerging market securities.
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Insiders Cash Out After Shares Soar on Drug Report Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a four- year-old drug company with no marketed products, on Dec. 7 reported a successful study of an experimental schizophrenia drug. Its shares jumped 69 percent, the most ever.

Europe
European Stocks End Their Rally on Speculation About U.S. Growth, Profit European stocks fell this week, stalling a year-end rally, on speculation a weakening U.S. economy may hurt companies' profits.
Israeli Shares Decline, Following Retreat in U.S. Market; Teva Paces Drop Israeli shares fell following declines in U.S. equities last week after a report on American manufacturing prompted concern the economy is slowing. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. paced the retreat.
Iceland Ratings Lowered by Standard & Poor's; Stocks, Bonds, Krona Tumble Iceland had its credit ratings cut by Standard & Poor's because of government plans to increase spending before the next election. Bonds, stocks and the krona dropped.
Qatar's DSM Benchmark Index Advances, Led by Industries Qatar: Arab Stocks Qatar's main index rose for the fourth day, posting the biggest fluctuation among Arab equity markets. Industries Qatar, the largest publicly traded company in the Persian Gulf monarchy, led the advance.

Asia
Asian Stocks Rise for Sixth Week, Led by Toyota, Exporters; Thailand Drops Asian stocks rose for a sixth week, the longest winning stretch in almost a year. Toyota Motor Corp. led gains as the yen fell to its lowest against the dollar in a month, raising the value of overseas sales.
Kenwood, Matsushita, NEC, Nippon Oil, Fuji Heavy: Japanese Equity Preview The following stocks may move in Japanese markets on Dec. 25. Prices are as of the close of trading in Japan on Dec. 22. Statements were released after the end of trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses.
Singapore's Stocks Rise for Seventh Week: Hyflux, United Overseas Advance Singapore's Straits Times Index rose, climbing for a seventh straight week. Hyflux Ltd. advanced after saying it will sell the city-state's first seawater desalination plant to a business trust.
Guangshen Railway Shares Surge on China Debut After Demand Exceeds Supply Shares of Guangshen Railway Co., China's second-biggest publicly traded rail operator, rose as much as 81 percent on their first day of trading in Shanghai after investors ordered about 44 times the stock on offer.