International stocks trading in New York closed mixed on
Wednesday. The BNY Mellon index of American depositary receipts
edged down 0.09% to 147.57. The European index improved 0.05% to
145.53; the Asian index eased 0.13% to 153.42; the Latin American
index fell 1.24% to 227.18 and the emerging-markets index fell
0.53% to 270.08. Among the companies with shares that actively
traded were National Bank of Greece SA (NBG, ETE.AT) and VimpelCom
Ltd. (VIP).
German health-care products and services company Fresenius SE
& Co. KGaA (FSNUY, FRE.XE) on Wednesday reported a decline in
fourth-quarter net profit but raised its dividend for the year by
6% after strong full-year results driven by growth in its
hospital-operator division Helios. Shares rose 2.37% to $14.11.
National Bank of Greece's stocks fell Wednesday, a day after
eurozone finance ministers approved a four-moth extension to the
country's bailout as doubts lingered over the willingness of
Greece's left-wing government to follow its creditors' orders on
budget cuts and economic overhauls. The Greek government signaled
on Wednesday its continued defiance to the sale of state
assets--one of the key demands of its creditors. Shares fell nearly
8% to $1.73.
Telefónica SA (TEF, TEF.MC) on Wednesday reported a sharp drop
in fourth-quarter net profit, weighed down by charges at its
businesses in Venezuela, Germany and Italy. But the
telecommunications company, Spain's largest, said it was raising
its goals for the next two years, citing a narrowed focus on key
markets and shifting trends. Shares rose 1.82% to $15.64.
VimpelCom, Russia's third-largest mobile operator with a
presence in Italy and a number of emerging markets, said on
Wednesday its net loss decreased by 76% in the fourth quarter of
2014 mainly due to lower tax charges. Shares rose nearly 7% to
$5.13.
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