2009/07/29 13:00 - US stocks closed flat overnight after a weaker-than-expected survey on consumer confidence. The Conference Board reported its confidence index fell to 46.6 from 49.3 in June, primarily due to a worsening job market.
2009/07/24 13:00 - Wall Street posted a strong gain overnight with Dow index jumped above 9000 points mark for the first time since January. The market was bolstered by upbeat housing data and favourable corporate earnings.
2009/07/08 17:15 - Nomura (TYO:8604), the leading global investment bank headquartered in Japan, launched its Saudi Arabia operation following the receipt of its commencement letter from Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority (CMA), to undertake a range of securities businesses in the Kingdom.
2009/06/26 13:00 - Yesterday, the Australian share market closed higher on the back of stronger commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 49 points, or 1.29 per cent, at 3856, while the broader-based All Ordinaries index gained 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3851.5 points.
2009/06/18 13:00 - Yesterday, the Australian market slumped for the third consecutive session as investors locked in gains from recent rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 58.4 points, or 1.47 per cent lower, at 3,904.1 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 53.7 points, or 1.36 per cent, at 3,904.2 points.
2009/06/16 13:00 - The Australian shares closed lower as weaker commodities prices weighed on the resources sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 30.5 points, or 0.75 per cent, at 4031.7 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 31.1 points, or 0.77 per cent, to 4030.4 points.
2009/06/10 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian share market ended lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 fell 36.3 points yesterday, or 0.91 per cent, at 3934.9, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 35.4 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 3933.6. Overnight the stronger commodities prices in New York may boost the local market today.
2009/04/07 13:00 - Australian shares closed higher yesterday with rises in most sectors despite resources stocks dragged the market down. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 gained 0.6%, or 21 points, at 3756.6, while the All Ordinaries index was up 0.6%, or 22.4 points, at 3696.4. Banking stocks were stronger ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision.
2009/03/13 13:00 - Yesterday, the Australian market ended marginally lower as investors were encouraged by the Wall Street rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended the day down 0.3%, or 8.9 points, at 3235.5. The broader All Ordinaries index was also down 0.3%, or 8.7 points, at 3190.4. "Many investors have feared worst, and many are probably predicting companies such as GM would eventually be gone, and are already prepared for it," says Thomas Su, Research Director of Money Cat Consulting. It may be too early to predict, but it seems the financial stocks may start leading the gain in the second half of the year, Thomas Su added.
2009/03/09 13:00 - Australian shares closed lower on Friday. The Australian market sunk further into the red and languished in negative territory amidst gloomy economic news from here and overseas, according to CMC Markets.
2009/03/04 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market proved defiant and held its ground despite massive falls in the US, according to CMC Markets. Interestingly, the share market didn't react too much to the interest rate decision.
2009/03/03 13:00 - The Australian market was treading water on Monday in the midst of a combination of negative news from overseas and in the domestic scene. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 94.4 points, or 2.82 per cent, at 3250.1, while the broader All Ordinaries plunged 93.1 points, or 2.82 per cent, to 3203.8.
2009/02/27 13:30 - Yesterday the Australian shares posted a modest gain as the market saw the rising oil prices and increased optimism about the outlook for commercial banks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 18 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 3345.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index was 15.9 points higher, or 0.48 per cent, to 3297.4.
2009/02/12 16:00 - Yesterday Asian share markets ended broadly lower after Wall Street's massive sell-off over the revised proposal to shore up U.S. banks. Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday. Hong Hong's Hang Seng Index dropped 2.5%, while South Korea's Kospi gave up 0.7%.
2009/02/11 15:00 - Today the major indexes in Asia have been hit by the unfavourable news from the US. Asian share markets ended mixed yesterday indexes moved up and down in a narrow range. Shanghai continued its rally over government stimulus measures with a rise of 1.8 percent, and also led the Hong Kong shares up 0.8 percent. Tokyo and Seoul markets closed slightly lower as market was weighed down by the worries over the US rescue plan.
2009/02/09 15:00 - Asian shares are set to gain on Monday after a rally on Wall Street last Friday. Japan's Nikkei average is also expected to be buoyed by exporters on a weaker yen. Asian shares rallied across the region Friday with shipping stocks leading for another day and miners rising on hopes that demand for commodities might be picking up. The Shanghai Composite Index rallied 4%, delivering its best performance of the week while China-related shares also lifted the market in Hong Kong.
2009/02/09 13:00 - The Australian share market ended last week with 1% higher led by the overseas markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index surged 41.3 points, or 1.2%, to 3469.9 while the broader All Ordinaries index closed with 34.9 points higher, or 1%, settled at 3407.5.
2009/02/05 13:00 - On Wednesday, the Australian shares dropped more than 2% dragged by the property and mining sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 70.8 points, or 2.02 per cent, at 3,437.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 66.8 points, or 1.94 per cent, to 3,382.3. The market could restore some confidence over the news that the US service sector shows it shrank at a low pace and China's national purchasing managers index suggests a recovery in China.
2009/01/21 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian stock market slumped more than 3% with the negative lead from UK. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 112.7 points, or 3.1%, lower at 3,476.6, the lowest level in two months, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 106 points, or 3%, to 3,425.
2009/01/20 13:00 - Australian shares yesterday closed higher after the lift of commodities prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 38.4 points, or 1.08 per cent, at 3,589.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 36.1 points, or 1.03 per cent, to 3,531 after a positive lead from Wall Street on Friday.
2009/01/08 13:00 - Yesterday offshore markets helped lift the Australian share market to a two-month high. Investors started to return as they were increasingly confident that the market may have passed the worst situation. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 37.0 points, or 0.99 per cent, at 3,779.7, and the broader All Ordinaries index added 39.0 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 3,728.2. The weaker commodities prices and performance of US stocks may send the local market down.
2009/01/07 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian share market closed higher with gains across all sectors, except for healthcare. The market remained quiet with low trading volume and less news out. The S&P/ASX200 index rose 55.7 points, or 1.5%, to 3742.7, a near two-month closing high, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 50.3 points, or 1.4%, to 3689.2.
2008/12/24 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market closed slightly lower led by Rio(ASX:RIO) and BHP(ASX:BHP), although metals prices were higher on the dropping of US dollar and rising Chinese imports. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 26 points, or 0.73%, to 3531.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 24.1 points, or 0.69%, to 3468.2.
2008/12/22 13:00 - On Friday, the Australian market closed marginally higher with rise on most sectors except energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 34.5 points, or 0.96 per cent, at 3,615.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 25.5 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 3,547.2. Low trading volumes are expected this week.
2008/12/19 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian shares ended flat as weaker Commonwealth Bank and energy stocks weighed on the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 10.6 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3,581.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 6.7 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 3,521.7. It could be fairly quiet during the pre-Christmas sessions. But the local market may be hit by the dropping commodities prices and the fears on US auto industry as US government has admitted that orderly bankruptcy can be one of the options for the troubled automakers.
2008/12/16 13:00 - Yesterday, the Australian market closed higher as the miners surged on rising commodities prices offsetting the slump dragged by Telstra after the government ruled out the company from the tender list for bidding on the national broadband network. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index ended the day 2.3% higher, or 81 points, at 3591.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 2.4%, or 83.2 points, to 3535.7. Traditionally the market would be quiet during this period with more focus on specific stocks rather than the market as a whole.
2008/12/15 13:00 - The Australian stock market closed more than two per cent lower on Friday following weakness in United States markets caused by doubts over a rescue package for US car makers. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had fallen 87.6 points, or 2.43 per cent, to 3,510.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 81.7 points, or 2.31 per cent, to 3,452.5. As the US Senate's rejected the $14-billion bailout for American automotive makers, the stock market is expected to continue moving downward on the negative news.
2008/12/10 13:00 - Yesterday Australian market closed lowered as banks stocks plunged after Westpac(ASX:WBC) announced its A$2.5 billion capital raising. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had lost 27.3 points or 0.75 per cent to 3604.3, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 20.1 points or 0.57 per cent at 3533.7. Analysts expect more companies such as Commonwealth Bank(ASX:CBA) may also have to raise capital.
2008/12/09 13:00 - On Monday, the Australian share market closed around four per cent higher, boosted by gains in the financial and resources sector and a rally on United States markets on Friday. Meanwhile, bargain hunters took the buying opportunity to snap cheap stocks. Energy sector was also pushed up by the higher oil price as well as the Santos takeover talks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 141.7 points, or 4.06 per cent, to 3,631.6, while the broader All Ordinaries was up 126.6 points, or 3.69 per cent, at 3,553.8. The news a short-term rescue package for the US carmakers expected to be unveiled may strengthen the market sentiment today. Resource stocks would also gain after commodity prices advanced.
2008/12/05 13:00 - Australian stocks ended flat for a second day after an early rally sparked by Babcock & Brown's winning of a reprieve from bankers loses steam. Yesterday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index ended little changed for a second day running, giving up just 1.4 points to 3542.4, while the All Ordinaries index ended down 0.2%, or 8.4 points, at 3468.1. Earlier, the indexes climbed about 2%. It is anticipated that the energy and mining sectors will plunge after the commodities price lowered with poor outlook and concerns over companies' ability of debt refinancing in a short term may weigh on the stocks.
2008/12/04 13:00 - On Wednesday, the Australian stock market closed marginally higher as figures showed that economic growth slowed to a crawl in the September quarter. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 5.6 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 3,533.8, while the broader All Ordinaries added 3.1 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 3,476.5. In recent weeks, the Australian share kept see-sawed during the trading day. In a short term investors remained cautious to any trigger on the market, while the impact for low interest rates and government stimulus may need some time to work.
2008/12/01 13:00 - On Friday, the Australian share market benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closd 154.5 points, or 4.3% higher, to 3742.5, while the broader All Ordinaries jumped 144.5 points, or 4.1%, to 3,672.7. The market experienced a best week for the two indexes since the recent two months, delivering weekly gains of 9.5% and 8.4%, respectively. However, the weak economic data and profit outlook would send the local market lower despite the strong lead from overseas markets. The news about RBA's expected aggressive rate cut will dominate the market this week.
2008/11/28 13:00 - On Thursday, the Australian share market closed higher for a fourth day with around 1.4 per cent stronger led by the big miners as commodities surged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 48 points, or 1.36 per cent, at 3588, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 48.6 points, or 1.4 per cent, at 3528.2. Analysts said the market seems to be a little quiet with less participation, except for some fluctuation after BHP's decision of dumping its takeover bid for Rio Tinto.
2008/11/24 13:00 - The Australian stock market staged a late rally on last Friday, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closing up 63.6 points, or 1.9 per cent, at 3,416.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 54.3 points, or 1.63 per cent, to 3,386.9. Market is struggling to recover with some "bear market rally" although the fundamental problems remain. Analysts said the recent fluctuation is because of uncertainty and the political factors are important at this stage.
2008/11/20 13:00 - On Wednesday, the Australian sharemarket closed lower despite a positive start led by rally on Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 23.6 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 3,499.63 while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 29.9 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 3,483.23. The market has lost half its value, or A$804 billion in just over one year. Analysts say that the overall trend may not change without catalyst for the market to go up while the overseas will pull the Australia market lower each time it seems to hit the bottom.
2008/11/19 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian share market closed 3.5 per cent down at fresh four-year lows, largely dragged down by banks and miners, wiping A$34 billion from the value of the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 129.8 points, or 3.55 per cent lower at 3523.2, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 126.4 points, or 3.47 per cent, to 3513.1 led down by resource and banking stocks. Analysts said the market fell more than expected as it was closing to the end of short-selling ban.
2008/11/18 13:00 - On Monday, the Australian share market fell to a four-year low as investors remained concerned about the continuing gloomy economic outlook. The big miners and the banks led the market lower, and all sectors were down. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 95.1 points, or 2.54 per cent, at 3,653, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 86.5 points, or 2.32 per cent, to 3639.5. Analysts said the market was oversold on fundamentals, but more softened half-year results would be expected in recent days.
2008/11/17 13:00 - Wall Street slumped on Friday with hedge fund selling in advance of a Saturday deadline. On Friday, the Australian sharemarket reversed its sharp losses of mid week to close up over one per cent following a strong US lead and higher base metals prices. As the G-20 leaders failed to come up with specific stimulus action after their weekend meeting in Washington, analysts expect the market volatility to continue but it would be getting close to the bottom.
2008/11/05 13:00 - The Australia share market closed marginally weaker after a 75 basis point interest rate cut by the RBA boosted the bourse back from earlier sharply lower levels. The deep cut mirrors RBA's worry about the domestic and global economic outlook. Analysts said the Australia market may have hit the bottom last week at about 3600 points, and the Democratic win in the US election will also give a positive lead to the Australia market.
2008/09/26 12:38 - US political leaders have struck an agreement in principle on a $US700 billion bailout plan to revive the troubled financial system. It is hoped both houses of US congress will vote on the plan within days. Wall Street and European markets have reacted positively to the news, with major indices recording gains of around two per cent.
Australian Economy