A.M. market numbers: October 27, 2009

| North American markets | International markets | Bonds | Currency | Commodities |

Asian stocks retreated Tuesday, following losses on Wall Street amid rising concerns the markets have gotten ahead of economic realities. European markets gained modestly.

Major Asian markets dropped by around 2 per cent or more, with shares in resource companies hit after a steep fall in commodity prices overnight. Oil recovered only modestly to trade near $79 a barrel, while the dollar was slightly weaker against the yen and euro following a sharp rise.

Investors unloaded shares in Asia after U.S. markets got pounded as the dollar strengthened and anxiety grew about the market overheating given the troubles still facing major Western economies and a number of financial companies.

Some analysts said the markets, up massively since March, could get more choppy even if they continued to advance.

As trading opened in Europe, markets in Britain, Germany and France were higher by about 0.2 per cent each as BP PLC, the continent’s second-largest oil company, said third-quarter profit fell less than expected to $5.3 billion from $8 billion a year earlier.

In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index lost 1.5 per cent, or 150.16 points, to 10,212.46 points. Hong Kong’s market, which was closed Monday, dropped 420.14, or 1.9 per cent, to 22,169.59.

China’s Shanghai market led Asia’s declines, tumbling 88.11, or 2.8 per cent, to 3,021.46. Australia’s market lost 1.6 per cent and India’s Sensex was 2 per cent lower.

South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.5 per cent to 1,649.53 a day after new figures showed the country’s economy, Asia’s fourth largest, expanded at its quickest pace in seven years in the last quarter.

In the U.S. overnight, the the Dow fell 104.22, or 1.1 per cent, to 9,867.96.

The broader Standard&Poor’s 500 index fell 12.65, or 1.2 per cent, to 1,066.95. The index, which is the basis for many mutual funds, is down 2.8 per cent from its recent peak a week ago.

Wall Street futures were down. Dow futures fell 3 points to 9,826.

Oil prices lingered below $79 a barrel Tuesday in Asia after three days of losses as investors eyed a volatile U.S. dollar. Benchmark crude for December delivery rose 4 cents to $78.72; the contract fell $1.82 overnight.

In currencies, the dollar weakened after rising overnight, trading at 91.89 yen from 92.21 yen. The euro gained to $1.4880 from $1.4861.

(The Canadian Press)

North American markets

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Dow Jones	9,867.96	-104.22 or -1.05%	+12.44%
S&P 500	1,066.95	-12.65 or -1.17%	+18.12%
NASDAQ	2,141.85	-12.62 or -0.59%	+35.82%
TSX Composite	11,234.88	-147.25 or -1.29%	+25.00%

International markets

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	Open	Change	YTD
Nikkei	10,212.46	-150.16 or -1.45%	+15.27%
Hang Seng	22,169.59	-420.14 or -1.86%	+54.09%
SENSEX	16,353.40	-387.10 or -2.31%	+69.51%
FTSE 100	5,213.60	+21.86% or +0.42%	+17.58%
CAC 40	3,758.87	+14.42% or +0.39%	+16.81%
DAX	5,662.17	+20.01% or +0.35%	+17.71%

Bonds

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Bonds	$Current	$Previous	%Yield
Cdn. 10-year bond	101.78	102.13	3.53
Cdn. 30-year bond	116.45	117.38	4.01
U.S. 10-year bond	100.69	101.09	3.54
U.S. 30-year bond	102.31	103.50	4.36

Currency

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BoC Close	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.9365	0.9372
US $	1.0678	1.0670

Euro Spot Rate	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.6293	0.6305
Euro	1.5891	1.5859

Commodities

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Gold	AM	PM
London Gold Fix ($US)	$1040.75	$1053.00

Oil	Open	Change
WTI Crude Future (US)	$79.18	+0.50% or +0.64%

(10/27/09)