ADR Shares End Mixed Following U.S. Housing, Consumer Confidence Data

   By Tess Stynes 
 

International companies trading in New York closed mixed on Tuesday as positive U.S. data on the housing front offset a disappointing consumer confidence report.

The Bank of New York index of ADRs fell 0.11% to 148.37. The Asian index, was the only one to post an increase, up 0.15% to 149. A reading of U.S. consumer confidence data for November showed a decline, while economists had expected an increase. Earlier Tuesday, data showed that housing permits rose to the highest level in more than five years, while the S&P/Case-Shiller 20 City home-price index for September rose 13.3%, slightly exceeding expectations.

The European index eased 0.8% to 144.41. Rio Tinto PLC (RIO, RIO.LN) shares were lower after the company scrapped plans to convert the Gove alumina refinery in Australia to run on natural gas, a move it had hoped would sharply reduce costs. Shares fell 1.9 % to $50.18.

Electricite de France (EDF.FR) said Tuesday it will sell its entire 4.01% stake in utility Veolia Environnement SA (VE, VIE.FR). The French power company always said it saw Veolia as a financial investment rather than an eventual partner. The power company began pulling away from Veolia two years ago amid a dispute over control of Dalkia, a joint venture specialized in local energy services. Veolia shares were down 1% at $16.40.

The emerging-markets index edged down 0.16% to 276.76 and the Latin American index declined 1.04% to 288. The Brazilian government showed reluctance to allow state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR, PETR3.BR, PETR4.BR) to raise local fuel prices. Shares fell 6.1% to $15.97.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Argentina would pay Repsol SA (REPYY, REP.MC) $5 billion in Argentine government bonds to compensate the Spanish oil company for expropriating its controlling stake in Argentina's largest oil-and-gas producer YPF SA (YPF, YPFD.BA) last year. Repsol shares rose 4.6% to $26.05. YPF shares were up 10% at $29.37.

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