LONDON -- Stocks are seeing further weakness in Europe today, hit by a slew of weak data from Asia and Germany. The largest EU economy reported an increase in unemployment for the fifth consecutive month, while Japan posted a worse-than-expected fall in retail sales, and manufacturer confidence in South Korea held at the lowest level in three years. Some hope was offered after Italy successfully sold 7.3 billion euros in 10-year bonds with a yield of 5.82% -- below the unsustainable level. Futures trading has the U.S. markets set for a similar performance today, with the S&P 500
Despite this weakness, there are some individual names putting in an even worse performance. Here are three American depositary receipts the S&P should beat today.
BHP Billiton
The mining giant is down 2.4% today, hit amid a broad sell-off in resource stocks after news emerged that copper consumption in China, the world's biggest user, is expected to expand this year at the slowest pace since1997. This not only puts pressure on copper producers but increases fears that broader commodity and mineral demand from the Asia giant will also lapse.
Banco Santander
The largest Spanish bank is suffering again today, down almost 2% as a broader risk-off attitude hits the country's banking sector. Concerns that smaller, unprofitable lenders may be shut down under the new terms of Spain's banking bailout keep pressure on the sector, despite the fact that Santander itself will not be closed. Earlier this week, analysts at Morgan Stanley said that an increase in the bank's U.K. unit's mortgage rates could see profit for Santander U.K. climb 12% in 2013.
ArcelorMittal
Amid the broader weakness in commodity and resource stocks today, Arcelor is down 1.7% after the China Metallurgical Mining Enterprise Association said China's iron ore output fell by around 10% this month. The organization said this was due to falling prices squeezing out costly producers, while steelmakers were able to use cheaper imports. This now brings about potential further increases in the price of iron ore, the key ingredient for steelmakers like Arcelor, increasing the company's cost base and reducing profit.
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