The earnings reports have spin offs for stocks globally. The U.S. economy is the cornerstone of global growth and aspects of it are worrying.

The appeal of these investments is a high and steady yield, rather than their growth opportunities. There's a high element of demand for these assets at the moment.

As traditional revenue from newspapers slows and circulation declines, it's all about expanding your revenue streams to provide growth. You have to have a serious presence on the Internet.

If they want to use shares to buy a company, then if their shares fall it will make it harder for that takeover to proceed. The market's probably getting a bit of indigestion as regards to the size of the predatory move.

It was a good result considering the environment of higher costs being faced by miners.

Globally, steel shares are up as some people are pricing in potential takeovers. Consolidation will help shift the balance of power against the raw materials suppliers.