International stocks trading in New York closed higher
Wednesday, with the Bank of New York index of American depositary
receipts adding 1% to 151.29. The European index rose 0.9% to
151.22, the Asian index climbed 1.2% to 142.54, the Latin American
index added 0.9% to 283.87, and the emerging-markets index rose
0.7% to 277.51. Among the companies with shares that actively
traded were Credit Suisse Group AG (CS, CSGN.VX) and ASML Holding
NV (ASML, ASML.AE).
Credit Suisse's investment-banking business weighed on profit in
the first quarter, forcing Switzerland's second-largest bank by
assets to lean heavily on its roots in private banking. The company
delivered a disappointing profit figure for the quarter. Shares
fell 1.7% to $31.22.
Semiconductor-equipment maker ASML said Wednesday that
first-quarter net profit more than doubled as it sold more systems.
However, the company cut its first-half guidance slightly to
reflect lower demand from some of its clients. Shares declined 3.4%
to $82.23.
Insurer Aviva PLC (AV, AV.LN) announced measures to simplify its
life-insurance joint ventures in Italy. The company has reached
agreements with UBI Banca and UniCredit SpA (UCG.MI) to restructure
the joint ventures and will make a $41.8 million payment as part of
the restructuring. Shares added 2.5% to $17.03.
Syngenta AG (SYT, SYNN.VX) reported first-quarter sales that
broadly met expectations and were helped by a strong start to the
European season and growth in emerging markets. Shares of the Swiss
company, which makes agricultural products designed to increase
crop productivity, rose 1.9% to $77.72.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV (PAC, GAP.MX) said
the allegations by a shareholder that the company deceived
shareholders by crafting an agenda for the ordinary and
extraordinary shareholders' meeting that prevents shareholders from
exercising their right to vote at the meeting in an informed and
meaningful manner are baseless. Shares added 2.5% to $59.22.
GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK, GSK.LN) is investigating claims its
employees bribed doctors in Jordan and Lebanon by offering perks
such as flexible travel arrangements and free samples that doctors
could sell on, according to emails reviewed by The Wall Street
Journal. Shares still rose 1% to $52.82.
Barclays PLC (BCS, BARC.LN) settled a legal dispute with one of
Africa's largest money-transfer companies after the British bank
was accused of unfairly trying to shut down its bank account.
Shares added 2.2% to $16.07.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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