International stocks trading in New York were mixed on Thursday.
The BNY Mellon index of American depositary receipts edged down
0.2% to 145.99. The European index eased 0.2% to 143.55, the Asian
index edged up 0.2% to 152.50, the Latin American index fell 1.2%
to 226.41 and the emerging markets index declined 0.7% to 269.24.
Among the companies with shares that actively traded was Vale SA
(VALE, VALE5.FR, VALE5.BR, VALE3.BR).
Brazilian mining company Vale said it ramped up production of
iron ore and other key commodities in the fourth quarter, despite
sharply lower prices. The world's largest iron-ore producer said
its output of the steel-making ingredient rose 2.1% in the fourth
quarter from a year earlier to 82.97 million metric tons. That
brought Vale's 2014 iron-ore production to a record 319.22 million
tons, up 6.5% from the previous year and 7.2 million tons above
Vale's own guidance. Shares fell 3.6% to $7.69.
Sanofi SA (SNY) named Olivier Brandicourt as its new chief
executive, appointing a pharmaceutical veteran to lead one of the
world's largest drug and vaccine makers as it faces stiff
competition and prepares to launch crucial new products. Mr.
Brandicourt's appointment ends months of speculation over who would
take the reins at the French drug maker after the abrupt ouster of
Christopher Viehbacher in October. Shares rose 1.7% to $50.10.
Write to Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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