The Australian sharemarket has opened lower on Friday, led by financials, energy and material sector. Overnight US market ended the choppy session with a loss, as investors seesawed between the disappointing revenue from utilities and consumer companies and a batch of strong earnings reports.
Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ASX:ERA) said the full year uranium oxide production dropped due largely to record rainfall. Forecast full-year production was downgraded to 4,300-4,700 metric tons of uranium ore from a previous view that it would be in line with 2009's level of 5,240 tons.
The last trading day of January ended with a sharp loss on Friday. Australian shares plunged more than 2 per cent while the market was clouded with negative sentiment. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 103.7 points, or 2.2 per cent, to 4569.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 100.8 points, or 2.1 per cent, to 4596.9. For the month, a 6.2 per cent, or A$85 billion in value, was wiped off from the market.
The Australian share market declined on Wednesday as miners were lowered on China's move to tighten monetary policy, which hit commodities prices. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 31.4 points, or 0.6 per cent, at 4868.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index retreated 31.5 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4900.1.
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.
The Australian market closed firmer yesterday on stronger commodities prices and good leads from overseas markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 49.5 points, or 1.24 per cent, at 4050.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 51.3 points, or 1.28 per cent, to 4044.2 points.
Resource Capital Research ("RCR"), an equity research company which focuses on small and mid size resource companies, today launched its major quarterly research report covering 16 global uranium exploration and development companies.
The Australian share market closed in the black again yesterday, driven by a stronger financial sector, but weaker resource stocks capped the gains. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 38.8 points or 0.76% to 5144.1, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 26.8 points or 0.52%, to 5188.4.
