International stocks trading in New York closed mixed Wednesday,
with the Bank of New York index of American depositary receipts
rising 0.2% to 154.15. The European index added 0.3% to 155.20, the
Asian index fell 0.6% to 141.15, the Latin American index added 1%
to 295.71 and the emerging markets index rose 0.2% to 281.11. Among
the companies with shares that actively traded were Delhaize Group
(DEG, DELB.BT) and ING Groep NV (ING, INGA.AE).
Delhaize's first-quarter net profit rose more than 50% thanks to
lower exceptional charges and despite competition squeezing
operating. Shares jumped 5.1% to $19.08.
ING posted its first quarterly loss for over four years as the
Dutch bank was hit by charges related to the final phase of its
overhaul. The Netherlands' largest bank of assets reported that its
bottom line was hit by a loss on its stake in Voya Financial Inc.,
the U.S. insurer ING floated last year. Shares of ING edged up 0.4%
to $14.20.
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (BUD, ABI.BT) reported a surge in
revenue during the first quarter, but weakness in the U.S., AB
InBev's largest market, clouded the brewing giant's outlook. The
maker of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, said shaky results in
the U.S. during the quarter were mainly the result of the unusually
cold winter, which kept consumers away from bars and restaurants.
Shares still rose 1.8% to $108.32.
Siemens AG's (SI, SIE.XE) chief executive detailed a strategic
revamp designed to strengthen the company's competitiveness after
it reported a rise in second-quarter net profit. The engineering
conglomerate said it plans significant cost cuts and expects
synergies from the acquisition of Rolls-Royce's energy business,
part of a package of measures unveiled late Tuesday. Shares rose
2.4% to $133.75.
Vodafone Group PLC (VOD, VOD.LN), seeking to resolve a
multibillion-dollar tax dispute with India, has served an
international arbitration notice to the South Asian country's
government. Shares edged up 0.5% to $38.15.
French utility Veolia Environnement SA (VE, VIE.FR) said that
2014 started well and reaffirmed its targets for the year, with
first-quarter earnings supported by a mild winter that benefited
its waste and water businesses. Shares still feel 2.5% to
$18.10.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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