Press Releases

Distributed: June 19, 2009

Alerts Login

View in Other Languages 8320 8226 8204 8051 7434 7331 

Sydney, June 19, 2009 (ABN Newswire) - US market closed higher overnight, supported by a series of relatively encouraging economic data. Total US jobless claims dropped for the first time since January. The index of US leading economic indicators rose 1.2 per cent in May and a regional factory gauge climbed more than forecast in June, raising hopes that the worst recession in five decades may soon end.

The Australian shares were lower for a fourth consecutive day as traders continued to sell-off mining stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 0.3 per cent, or 12 points lower, to 3892.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 0.4 per cent, or 16.8 points, at 3887.4.

Key Economic Facts and Figures

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) data showed that Australians' credit card balances fell for the first time since records began 14 years ago. Consumers collectively spent A$17.376 billion, or 7.5 per cent less, on their credit cards in April than in the previous month.

RBA's monthly bulletin says the major banks' average net interest margin (NIM) for their Australian operations was nine basis points higher than in the previous half in the half year to March 2009. The NIM currently averages 2.27 per cent, which is a little above the level before the onset of the financial market turbulence in mid 2007.

M&A News

Legend International Holdings said it will increase its cash offer for each North Australian Diamonds (ASX:NAD) share from 1.2 cents to 1.5 cents, lifting the value of the offer from A$23.8 million to nearly A$30 million. North Australian directors have recommended its shareholders take no action on the offer, saying it will review the increased offer and make a recommendation in due course.

YTC Resources (ASX:YTC), 25.75% owned by China's Yunnan Tin Group (SHE:000960), will buy CBH Resources (ASX:CBH) interests in Hera and Nymagee mineral tenements in western New South Wales for A$12 million. CBH said the sale of Hera provided CBH with an immediate financial return. The two companies have formed a strategic partnership to explore new Australian resource opportunities for China.

Important Corporate News

Chinese Government-backed Minmetals launched its new Australian-based company Minerals and Metals Group (MMG) after acquiring most of OZ Minerals' (ASX:OZL) assets for $US1.35 billion. The company said MMG had not decided whether to list on the Australian Securities Exchange.

BC Iron (ASX:BCI), an Australian-based iron ore exploration and mine development company, has agreed to place 8.5 million new shares to institutional and sophisticated investors at A$1.10 per share to raise A$9.4 million. BC Iron will also undertake a non renounceable entitlements issue to eligible shareholders of 11.46 million new shares. The Hong Kong listed Regent Pacific Group (HKG:0575) will be a cornerstone investor to the placement and entitlement issue.

iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF) Australia's largest listed health information technology company today announced that Klinikum Saarbrucken will become the fifth early adopter site in Germany for its Lorenzo next-generation solution, as part of a EUR1.08 million (A$1.9 million) deal for a hospital information system.

Polaris Metals (ASX:POL) has just confirmed the presence of channel iron deposit ("CID") at Caliwinga visually estimated to be up to 25m thick, with assays up to 58.8% Fe, and low in silica, alumina and phosphorus. At Weelumurra, iron deposits were identified with assays up to 64% Fe. An independent specialist interpretation of Landsat imagery in 2008 suggested significant channel iron deposit target potential of 200-250Mt.

Contact

Michelle Liang
Asia Business News Asia Bureau
Tel: +61-2-9247-4344
Email: michelle.liang@abnnewswire.net

  Related Companies

>>>            BC Iron Limited
>>>         CBH Resources Limited
>>>              iSOFT Group Limited
>>>        North Australian Diamonds Ltd
>>>           Oz Minerals Limited
>>>        Polaris Metals NL
>>>            Regent Pacific Group Ltd
>>>              YTC Resources Limited
>>>        Yunnan Tin Co., Ltd.

  Related Industry Topics:

Metals | Financial General | Health & Pharm General | Mining | Australian Economy | 

  This Page Viewed:  (Last 7 Days: 160) (Last 30 Days: 560) (Since Published: 74340) 

83200 82260 82040 80510 74340 73310  (475660)

Events & Exhibitions

Site Search

 
 ENGLISH   All Languages

Upcoming WebCasts

Mr Mark Paton CEO
Cue Energy Resources
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mr Alan Hopkins CEO
Pan Asia Corporation
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mr Barry Dawes
Martin Place Securities
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Dr Andrea Grant CEO
Living Cell Technologies
Monday, July 02, 2012


BC Iron Limited
2011.01.21  13:30 Australian Market Report of January 21, 2011: Prairie Downs Metals (ASX:PDZ) Report High Grade Zinc-Lead-Silver Mineralisation
2010.10.26  13:30 Australian Market Report of October 26, 2010: Territory Uranium Company Limited (ASX:TUC) Exciting Rare Earth Discovery In The Northern Territory
2010.05.20  13:30 Australian Market Report of May 20, 2010: Citigold (ASX:CTO) Signs LOI with Henan Jinqu
2010.04.20  13:30 Australian Market Report of April 20, 2010: Goldman News Digested
2009.11.10  13:00 Australian Market Report of November 10: Rally to Continue
CBH Resources Limited
2012.05.21  10:23 Peel Mining Limited (ASX:PEX) Announce CBH To Spend Up To $8.33 Million Farming-In To Mallee Bull
2010.11.23  09:15 Kimberley Metals Limited (ASX:KBL) Appoints Stephen Lonergan as Executive Director, Commercial
2010.08.16  14:14 CBH Resources Limited Video WebCast  FINANCE VIDEO: Range River Gold (ASX:RNG) CEO Rick Watsford Speaks at the China-Australia Resources Summit 2010
2010.04.14  13:30 Australian Market Report of April 14, 2010: Back to Above 5000 Points Level
2010.03.19  13:30 Asian Markets Overview of March 19, 2010: Toho Zinc (TYO:5707) To Double Stake in CBH Resources (ASX:CBH)
iSOFT Group Limited
2011.04.04  08:36 iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF) Recommends Cash Proposal From Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE:CSC)
2011.03.16  14:40 iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF) Agrees New Five-Year Deals With iSOFT 7 Worth GBP12.6M
2011.03.16  14:29 iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF) Agrees GBP5.4M Patient Administration Systems Renewals With Leeds And Hull NHS Trusts
2011.02.04  13:30 Australian Market Report of February 4, 2011: iSOFT (ASX:ISF) System Significantly Reduced Hospital Medication Errors
2011.02.03  14:27 iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF) Announce Decrease In Medication Errors At Dunedin Hospital After iSOFT Medication Management Implementation
Webcast Your Annual General Meeting

Mobile Video TV

qrcode
Scan with your Mobile Phone to view ABN Newswire Video Channel on Mobile
 
City Index - A Better Way To Trade