Market Currents

• Wednesday, December 16, 2009

• 09:08 AM Philip Morris (PM), Japan Tobacco and British American Tobacco (BTI), which have long looked to Japan as a cigarette tax haven, could soon get burned. As soon as Friday, the government may unveil a tax that could add ¥40-60 in taxes to every pack of cigarettes. Japan Tobacco has a 65% share of the Japanese market; Philip Morris has 25%; and BAT the remaining 10%. Comment!

• Friday, November 28, 2008

• 09:13 AM Premarket losers: IFX -14.5%. CHK -13%. FRO -12.5%. PBR -8.5%. MT -8%. BTI -7%. RIO -6%. UBS -6%. TOT -5%. SAP -5%. Comment!

• Wednesday, October 29, 2008

• 07:54 AM Early premarket losers: GLW -12%. BTI -5%. GFI -3%. STM -2%. INTC -2%. NOK -2%. GSK -2%. Comment!