2009/11/09 13:00 - Wall Street posted a small gain on Friday despite the Labour Department report showed the US unemployment rate broke above 10 per cent in October, up from 9.8 per cent in September. But the number of jobs lost narrowed to the lowest level in more than a year.
2009/10/16 13:00 - US stocks climbed to a 2009 new high on Thursday, as the oil prices surge buoyed energy companies. New York crude oil futures rose more than 3 per cent to a one-year high of US$77.58 a barrel after the government said US gasoline reserves fell sharply last week. The financial and IT stocks retreated over mixed economic data and corporate outlook.
2009/09/25 15:10 - ING Group (NYSE:ING) said that it has reached an agreement to sell its life insurance and wealth management venture in Australia and New Zealand to ANZ Banking Group, its joint venture partner.
2009/09/24 13:00 - US stocks fell overnight in a choppy trade as the Federal Reserve announcement showed that the central bank remained cautious to the economy outlook. The Federal Reserve acknowledged the economy is emerging from recession, but maintained its near-zero interest rate and trillion-plus dollar effort to support the fragile recovery.
2009/09/23 13:00 - After a modest setback on Monday, US shares climbed overnight to a fresh high as investors returned to the market on upbeat outlook on the economy. Meanwhile, positive company earnings reports also helped to lift the market sentiment.
2009/09/08 13:00 - US markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday, while Europe and Asia markets posted strong gains on Monday.
2009/08/21 13:00 - Wall Street made a third consecutive day gain overnight as some latest economic data shows that the recession is bottoming out. Financials were also buoyed after Insurance giant American International Group said it expects to repay the government.
2009/08/20 13:00 - US stocks opened lower overnight due to the massive drop in Shanghai shares, which also caused a broad selloff in Asia markets. But Wall Street ended the day higher as the energy companies were boosted on hope of an improving demand. The US oil futures rose after the US Department of Energy said US oil inventories plunged unexpectedly.
2009/08/17 13:00 - Wall Street ended lower in light trading on Friday as reports showed weak consumer sentiment in August and an unexpected decline in July retail sales. The weak reports prompted investors to lock in gains from the recent rally.
2009/08/07 13:00 - US stocks fell for a second day on Thursday as investors worried over the key employment figures, which are scheduled to release on Friday. Most economists expect the data will show the unemployment rate climbed to 9.6 per cent, from a 26-year high of 9.5 per cent in June.
2009/08/05 13:00 - US stocks traded slightly higher overnight with more buying in financials. Analysts expect there would be a short-term correction after the rally as investors lock in gains from a strong three-week rally.
2009/07/31 13:00 - US stocks broadly surged on Thursday fueled by the better-than-expected earnings reports. The market's rally pushed the major indexes to their highest closes of the year.
2009/07/09 13:00 - The Australian market yesterday closed flat as traders were cautious about the economic outlook. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose one point, or 0.03 per cent, at 3767.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index declined 1.8 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 3766.0 points. Today investors' focus would be the unemployment rate released by ABS.
2009/07/06 13:00 - On Friday Asian and European markets fell while Wall Street was closed for public Holiday. The Australian shares closed lower Friday as US shares tumbled on the unfavorable unemployment figures and commodities prices were also lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index lost 49.1 points, or 1.27 per cent, to 3828.2 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index slumped 48.6 points, or 1.25 per cent, at 3826.6 points. The Reserve Bank of Australia Tuesday will announce its official interest rate after board meeting.
2009/07/01 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market concluded the last day of the financial year higher, led by energy and retail sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 68 points, or 1.75 per cent, to 3954.9 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 65.1 points, or 1.68 per cent, to 3947.8 points. The ASX200 has posted four consecutive months of gains.
2009/06/15 13:00 - The Australian market was slightly up on Friday fuelled by resources stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 15 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 4062.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 14.8 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 4061.5. The local market has received negative lead from weaker commodities prices. Investors may look towards profit guidance while there could be limited company news scheduled this week.
2009/06/03 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian share market was bolstered by favorable local and overseas economic data. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 60.9 points, or 1.56 per cent, to 3955.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index surged 60.2 points, or 1.55 per cent, at 3948.1 points.
2009/05/28 13:00 - The Australian share market yesterday closed slightly higher with a good lead from Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 12.7 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3801.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 13.7 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 3795.3. There was a sell-off in late trading as investors drew cash to participate ANZ's capital raising.
2009/05/26 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian shares ended lower dragged by financial stocks after the lifting the eight-month short-selling ban. The market was also hit by news of a nuclear weapon test by North Korea. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 23.7 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 3737.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 20.1 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 3735.3.
2009/05/07 13:00 - Yesterday Australian shares closed lower on concern about the health of US banks. The benchmark the S&P/ASX200 index fell 0.6%, or 23.3 points, at 3867.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 0.6%, or 22.1 points, at 3840.1.
2009/05/06 13:00 - Yesterday Australian market was marginally higher, boosted by rally overseas. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 gained 7.4 points, or 0.19 per cent, at 3890.4, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 16.2 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 3862.2.
2009/04/24 15:00 - Asian markets Friday opened mixed. Japan's Nikkei traded lower in the morning, but the Japanese financial stocks surged after the rise on Wall Street overnight. Hong Kong opened flat as investors were cautious ahead of the earnings reports.
2009/04/22 13:00 - Yesterday Australian shares fell after Wall Street plummeted on renewed banking fears. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index plunged 2.4%, or 91.6 points, at 3677.4, while broad-market All Ordinaries index lost 2.4%, or 89.2 points, at 3633.1.
2009/04/09 13:00 - Australian shares closed lowered yesterday as investors expected a further fall on US market. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 86.8 points, or 2.3 per cent, to 3619.5, while the All Ordinaries was down 81 points, or 2.22 per cent at 3567.5. The financial stocks may be hit by International Monetary Fund's forecast of increasing toxic assets.
2009/03/27 15:00 - Asian markets Friday opened broadly higher as Wall Street rallied for a second consecutive day after some good corporate earnings. Yesterday the major indices posted strong gains. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 3.6% while Shanghai Composite jumped 3.1%. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average rose 1.8% and South Korea's Kospi added 1.2%.
2009/03/26 15:40 - Most Asian markets opened firmer Thursday following Wall Street's rebound overnight lifted by better-than-expected economic figures.
2009/03/17 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market closed marginally higher as financial stocks surged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 0.1%, or 3.2 points at 3348.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 0.1%, or 2.6 points, at 3297.3. Australian shares may receive support from the stronger copper and oil prices, despite the falls on Wall Street.
2009/03/10 15:00 - Most Asian markets declined on Monday. Japan's Nikkei average tumbled 1.2% to a 26-year low, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slumped 4.8%, the sharpest fall in the major indexes in Asia. China's Shanghai Composite was down 3.4%. But South Korea's Kospi ended 1.6% higher lifted by technology and shipbuilding sectors.
2009/03/06 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market closed higher led by resources sector as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the Chinese government will increase spending to boost the economy and achieve an 8% growth target this year. It raised the expectations that China's stimulus measures will prompt the demand for resources. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.1 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 3,188.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 22.9 points, or 0.73 per cent, to 3,148.8.
2009/03/04 15:00 - Asian shares broadly fell Tuesday following the declines on Wall Street. But Investors' hopes over the stimulus measures from China and Japan have offset some bleak sentiment led by the US market. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average ended with a modest fall of 0.7% while South Korea's Kospi Composite gained 0.7% and Taiwan's Taiex added 0.2%. Shanghai Composite fell 1.1% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended 2.3% lower.
2009/02/27 15:30 - Yesterday the Asian major bourses posted losses, driven by negative sentiment caused in large part by doubts over the financial rescue package in the US and profit-taking. The US President Barack Obama was sending Congress a budget that projects the government's deficit for this year will soar to US$1.75 trillion, reflecting efforts to pull the nation out of a deep recession and a severe financial crisis.
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.
2009/02/26 13:00 - Australian share closed at their five-year low point. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 0.1%, or 4.1 points, at 3327.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index also fell 0.1%, or 3.5 points, at 3281.5.
2009/02/25 15:30 - Asian shares fell broadly yesterday following the sharp losses in Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei index extended its falling streak for the third trading session to a 26-year low. In Seoul, Kospi slumped 3.2%. China market, which is said as one of the world's best performers, saw a most massive drop of 4.6% in Shanghai Composite Index. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 2.9% with China-related stocks tracking movements in Shanghai.
2009/02/24 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian market closed lower even it rebounded after news the US Government may end up owning as much as 40% of Citigroup's common stock. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 1.5%, or 51.2 points, at 3351.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 1.5%, or 48.9 points, at 3304.1. Today the local stocks are expected a fresh low level on the massive lost in Wall Street.
2009/02/19 13:00 - Yesterday the Australian stocks closed lower on all sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 lost 51.1 points, or 1.48 per cent, at 3,413.2, while the broader All Ordinaries dropped 45.3 points, or 1.33 per cent, to 3,366.9. The local market has fell 4.1% so far this week, and the shares may see a further drop after base metal and oil prices lower.
2009/02/17 15:00 - Asia's major markets ended mostly lower yesterday. Tokyo stocks were hit by the data of huge contraction in the economy, but Shanghai Composite outperformed the Asian markets backed by hopes of further government economic stimulus measures, which also boosted the Hong Kong shares.
2009/02/16 15:00 - Asian major indexes were higher Friday after a late-day recovery in the U.S. market. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed up 0.96%, while Korea's Kospi ended 0.5% higher. Shanghai Composite surged 3% to over 2300 points, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 2.47% and Taiwan's main index up 2.1%.
2009/02/13 15:00 - Asian markets fell yesterday as investors remained sceptical and worried the deteriorating economy would not receive immediate help from the US stimulus plan. Tokyo stocks dropped 3%, led mostly by banks and exporters, as trading resumed after a holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.3%, while Shanghai Composite lost 0.6%. The major indexes in Asia are likely to remain on a downward trend today.
2009/02/13 13:00 - Yesterday the Aussie market ended higher amid expectations debt-laden Rio Tinto would announce the A$30 billion deal with Chinese steelmaker Chinalco. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 39.9 points, or 1.15 per cent, at 3,514.3, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 40.4 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 3,458.5. Today investors will also be looking to the proceeding of government's A42$ billion economic stimulus package as Parliament will debate a new version after the Senate rejected the government's first proposed plan.
Australian Economy