OREANDA-NEWS. February 24, 2012. The US indices closed slightly higher on Thursday. S&P 500 Index added 0.43% while Russell was up by 1.56% with Financials (+0.96%) and Telecommunications (+0.65%) as the leaders. Put/call ratio went up to 1.36 and 90-110% skew went up to 10.54%. Target results topped estimates while Sears profits missed.

Of 434 S&P 500 Index constituents the EPS of 296 and revenues of 246 companies beat expectations so far. In Europe 90 DJ Stoxx 600 companies topped expectations while 106 missed estimates.

Initial jobless claims declined to 351K vs consensus forecast of 355K, confirming declining trend.

FHFA home prices Index rose by 0.7% vs consensus forecast of a 0.1% rise.

Speculations on China local real estate market liberalization initiatives drove markets higher on Wednesday. HSBC Manufacturing Index went up to 49.7 from 48.8. Chinese indices rose on average by 1.12%.

Hang Seng lost 0.02%, Kospi – went down by 0.02%, Japanese Nikkei rose by 0.94%. S&P/ASX 200 added 0.04%.

GDP data for Germany & UK, US Uof Michigan Consumer Survey and New home sales will be in focus in the US today.

Earnings season will go on in the US with 8 S&P 500 companies and 11 DJ Stoxx 600 companies to report.