The release of the first quarter figures came as a pleasant surprise to investors who are anticipating a better than expected earnings season. According to Mark Cambrea, VP of Finance at Rome Based Palatine Financial, “The strong results from Intel are a good sign for investors. The Asian stock markets have responded positively to the Intel numbers, and we see them as an indicator of strong recovery.”
Singapore's benchmark stock index led gainers in the wake of Intel’s report, advancing 1.1 percent after the government said the economy grew an annualized 32 percent in the first quarter. South Korea's index jumped 1 percent, Australia climbed 0.7 percent, Malaysia added 0.2, Japan bumped up 0.1 percent, while Indonesia and Hong Kong didn’t experience much of a change. China’s stock index was the only looser dropping 0.2 percent. Indian and Thai markets were closed due to national holidays, but expect similar positive results when they reopen.
Cambria also cited a survey by Bank of America Merrill Lynch that reports more fund managers are becoming optimistic about global economic growth this year. “American consumers are recovering and international investors are becoming more optimistic,”
