Draghi comments boost global rally

COMMENTS FROM European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, speaking at a conference in London, that the ECB would do “whatever it takes – and believe me, it will be enough”, to support the euro, boosted global markets yesterday. Virtually all European bourses ending the session in positive territory and the US market getting off to a strong start from the opening bell.

DUBLIN

THE ISEQ partook of the global rally instigated by Mr Draghi’s remarks, closing up 2.3 per cent on the day. There was some stock-specific news, generated mostly by mergers and acquisitions-related announcements as markets opened.

Glanbia’s announcement that it has acquired US nutritional drinks company Asceptic Solutions for €50 million provided a boost to the stock, as it underlined the company’s commitment to the lucrative global nutritionals industry.

The Irish food company finished up 0.8 per cent on the day at €6.15, having hit highs of €6.217 earlier on in the session.

United Drug also opened the session with an acquisition announcement as it announced the purchase of Stuttgart-based Pharmexx, a sales and marketing outsourcing business, from Celesio. United Drug finished up a half a per cent on the day at €2.11.

DCC received a boost from news that the British Competition Commission had provisionally cleared its acquisitions of certain oil distribution assets previously owned by Total in Britain.

It was a strong performer on the day, finishing up 4.7 per cent at €19.80, though volume was relatively light.

CRH was a relative underperformer, compared to industry peers, adding only nine cents on the day to finish at €14.75.

LONDON

BRITISH STOCKS rebounded from a four-day decline yesterday, on the back of Mr Draghi’s comments. The FTSE 100 Index surged 1.4 per cent, its biggest rally since June 29th.

The gauge had tumbled 3.8 per cent over the past four days amid concern the euro zone’s sovereign-debt crisis is worsening and as a report showed the UK economy shrank for a third quarter.

In the UK, 12 companies in the FTSE 100 reported half-year earnings yesterday. Unilever gained 5.4 per cent after posting second-quarter sales that exceeded analysts’ estimates.

Rolls-Royce jumped 6.7 per cent after reporting first-half profit that beat projections. Royal Dutch Shell dropped 2.3 per cent after saying second-quarter net income fell more than predicted.

British Sky Broadcasting Group added 3.1 per cent to 706.5 pence as the UK’s largest pay-TV broadcaster posted a full-year operating profit that beat analyst projections and said it would buy back £500 million of shares.