U.S. equities decline as 2014 gets off to a less than inspiring start.

Global headline indices have started 2014 in a less than inspiring fashion after global headline indices returned gains gathered over the last week or so. Along with European shares, U.S. equities declined on January 2nd for the first time since 2008. The S&P 500 surged 30 percent in 2013, finishing the year at an all-time high for the first time since 1999. The Dow average climbed 27 percent in 2013 for its best performance since 1995.

Yesterday’s decline on the S&P 500 snapped a streak of five straight gains on the first trading session of January. The index had risen an average of almost 2 percent that day since 2009. Obviously, the overall performance in January will bear more significance. As January goes, so goes the year, has been right for 62 of the last 85 years, or 73 percent of the time.

Three rounds of Federal Reserve stimulus and better-than-forecast corporate earnings have helped the S&P rally as much as 173 percent from a 12-year low in 2009. The Fed announced plans in December to reduce the pace of bond buying amid faster-than-estimated economic growth.

Risers:

Next +10.26% Clothing retailer, Next PLC, is currently leading the FTSE 100, up significantly by 10.26% after raising its FY pretax profit forecast due to a bumper Christmas period. Strong online deliveries were the reason for the boost in sales over the festive period and the company has announced a special 50p per share dividend. The retailer, which owns over 500 stores, is expected to report a FY pretax profit of £684-700m. Next have commented on the news, saying “The step-up in Christmas trade was mainly down to improvements in our seasonal knitwear, nightwear and gift offer. In addition, increased confidence in online deliveries meant that more customers continued to trade with NEXT Directory right up to the weekend before Christmas.”

Green Compliance +4.00% Green Compliance has today announced that Richard Hodgson, its Financial Officer, is also to be appointed as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. The water and fire protection specialists has said Hodgson is to take on responsibility for both roles and still report to Chairman and Chief Exec, Bob Holt.

Johnson Service Group +3.29% Johnson Service Group has appointed Chris Sander their Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, they have announced today. Chris Sander joined the group in 1984 and has been Managing Director since 2008. The dry-cleaning specialist group has also revealed they expect full year pretax profit to be in line with market and management expectations.

Ukrproduct Group +2.27 Ukrproduct Group has today reported mixed news. The Ukrainian producer of branded dairy foods has revealed they expect 2013 EBITDA to be significantly lower than the previous year due to the increase in raw milk prices and also because of a shortage of raw milk supply in Ukraine. The company has however been keen to add they plan to report positive profitability throughout 2014.

Fallers:

Regal Petroleum -13.89% Oil and gas exploration group, Regal Petroleum, has said today production levels were affected by a shutdown of their gas processing facility. The AIM-listed company reported its Ukrainian gas and condensate production averaged at 162,246 meters cubed per day and 39 meters cubed per day – equivalent to 1258 barrels of oil per day. Their MEX-105 well was unsuccessful with a well stimulation programme and also their GOL-1 well, that was designed to eliminate water ingress into the well, was only partially successful and they have not been able to bring the well back into production.

NMC Health -2.02% Private sector health care provider, NMC Health, has today revealed its 2013 FY trading update. The company has said it expects results to be in line with expectations for the year ended 31 Dec 2013 and also capital expenditure, operational cash flow and net debt position to be in line with management expectations. FY results will be reported on 25 Feb 2014. Chief Executive Officer, Dr B.R. Shetty, has said: “I am pleased with NMC's growth over the past year in both our healthcare and distribution divisions. Management will continue to work towards increased efficiencies and operational gearing in existing operations and a smooth introduction of new assets.”

Wildhorse Energy -2.22% Wildhorse Energy’s share price has recently surged almost 72% since December 24, however the group has told investors today they know of no reason to account for the recent significant rise and know no information to explain the movement. The company has repeated that they are currently in on-going discussions with a third party; however they added these discussions are non-binding.

Fastnet Oil & Gas -6.36% Fastnet Oil & Gas has today confirmed that drilling will begin in H1 of 2014 at their FA-1 exploration well offshore Morocco. The drilling is expected to last for three months once begun and the company expects the block to contain the equivalent of 360 million barrels of oil.