Trader Talk: An Analysis of the Markets this Morning

Good morning,

Markets are called to open flat this morning.

Microsoft

Microsoft Corp.’s customers flocked to game consoles and cloud software last quarter, helping Steve Ballmer deliver results that topped projections in his last months as chief executive officer.

Revenue climbed 14 percent to a record $24.5 billion in the fiscal second quarter, which ended Dec. 31, Microsoft said in a statement yesterday. Analysts had predicted on average $23.7 billion in sales, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Shares rose in late trading.

WHAT TO WATCH:

• Carney Signals BOE Guidance Debate as Low Rate Pledge Kept

• U.K. First-Time Homebuyers Rose to Highest Since 2006 Last Month

• Hungary Economic-Sentiment Index Advances to Highest Since 2002

• Sistema CEO Looks for Acquisitions While Considering IPO Plans

• Deutsche Bahn Seeks More ThyssenKrupp Compensation: Rheinische

• McKesson to Acquire Celesio in New Agreement After Failed Offer

• Toyota Beats GM in Sales, Sees 10 Million Vehicles This Year

• Codere Proposes to Creditors That Owners Keep Majority Stake

• Standard Chartered Plans to Double Private Bankers for Africa

• Deutsche Boerse Unit in $152 Million Iran Sanctions Accord

• Portugal Still to Decide on Bailout Exit Strategy: Albuquerque

• Billionaire Eurnekian Targets Greek Airports Following Crisis

• London Tube Cement Spill Snarls Victoria Line as Signals Flooded

• Ukraine Unrest Spreads as Lawmakers Summoned After Deadly Riots

EARNINGS All times CET:

• Close Brothers (CBG LN) 8am, 4Q sales/trading

• Royal Mail (RMG LN) 8am, 2Q sales/trading

• 3i (III LN) 8am, 3Q sales/IMS

• Ziggo (ZIGGO NA) 7am, FY earnings

Good day and happy trading!

Kristian Camenzuli