By Corrie Driebusch
International companies trading in New York closed higher
Thursday, in line with the broader market, as speculation swirled
about the outcome of the election in Greece this weekend.
The Bank of New York index of ADRs rose 0.6% to 114.80.
European banks rose amid chatter of "secret" opinion polls
suggesting the New Democracy party will be victorious, and a
pro-bailout government will be formed.
In addition, Reuters reported late Thursday that central banks
are preparing coordinated efforts to provide liquidity if necessary
after the Greek elections.
Credit Agricole SA (CRARY, ACA.FR) added 4.9% to $1.92 and
Societe Generale SA (SCGLY, GLE.FR) climbed 1.7% to $4.23.
Shares in Switzerland's Credit Suisse Group AG (CS, CSGN.VX)
plunged 9.4% to $17.97, however, after the Swiss National Bank said
Swiss banks must keep strengthening their capital base.
The European index climbed 0.7% to 106.45.
Greek stocks surged ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled
for the weekend.
Shares of National Bank of Greece SA (NBG, ETE.AT) soared 31% to
$1.61. Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. SA (CCH, EEEK.AT) rose 7.9%
to $16.99 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA (HLTOY,
HTO.AT) ended up 18% at $0.97.
The Asian index gained 0.5% to 113.56.
JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (JASO) plans to repurchase roughly
$100 million, or more than half, of its American depositary shares
outstanding before the end of September. Shares jumped 13% to
$1.06.
Taiwanese panel maker AU Optronics Corp. (AUO, 2409.TW) said
Thursday its plant at Taoyuan County in northern Taiwan is likely
to resume operations in three to five days after being struck by
several earthquakes on Wednesday. The company said in a statement
the earthquake didn't have a significant impact on operations and
that it is still assessing the financial damage.
Shares added 1.6% to $3.94.
The Latin American index ended up 0.4% at 304.48 and the
emerging markets index rose 0.2% to 262.01.
Mexico's antitrust commission, reversing an earlier decision,
said Thursday that broadcast and media concern Grupo Televisa SAB
(TV, TLEVISA.MX) can take a 50% stake in mobile-phone operator
Grupo Iusacell, but conditioned the joint venture to a number of
issues involving television advertising, programming and corporate
governance. The conditions, if accepted by the broadcaster, would
mark Televisa's entry into the coveted mobile-phone market.
Shares of Grupo Televisa gained 2.5% to $20.10.
Write to Corrie Driebusch at corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com