Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation

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.

Yesterday the Australian market posted a marginal rise as investors were cautious ahead of US jobs data in June. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 3.3 points, or 0.09 per cent higher, at 3877.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 2.9 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 3875.2 points.

The Australian share market ended higher on Friday, led by banking stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 62.4 points, or 1.66 per cent, to 3,818.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 59.4 points, or 1.58 per cent, to 3,813.3.

Australian shares market yesterday was buoyed by the news Rio Tinto reached a better than expected iron ore price agreement with Japan's Nippon Steel. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 50.5 points, or 1.4 per cent, at 3788.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 46.3 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 3781.6.

The Australian shares posted strong gains yesterday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 3% higher, or 113.4 points, at 3883. The broad-market All Ordinaries index was up 2.9%, or 108.1 points, at 3846. Today the local market is expected to extend its rally after the boost of overseas and rising commodities prices. Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision will be the focus of the day.

The Australian shares were marginally lower on Friday. On Friday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 ended 10.9 points, or 0.3%, lower at 3769.6, while the broader All Ordinaries fell 6.8 points, or 0.2%, to 3737.9.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed slightly lower as falls in financial stocks overshadowed the gains in big miners. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 0.1%, or 5.4 points, at 3747.5, while the broad-market All Ordinaries index fell 0.1%, or 4 points, at 3693.9.

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.

Yesterday the Australian share market extended its gains despite a weak lead on Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 rose 0.8%, or 29.3 points, at 3609.3, while the broader All Ordinaries added 0.8%, or 28.9 points, at 3546.2.

Yesterday the Australian shares ended modestly higher despite a strong lead overseas. The market in late trading gave up some of its early gains as investors started to pocket their profits in recent rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 0.8%, or 29.7 points, at 3580, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 1%, or 34.2 points, at 3517.3. Today resource stocks may decline after metals prices fell.