National Australia Bank Limited

The Australian stock market opened lower on Wednesday after US stocks dropped and oil and metals prices slipped overnight.

The Australian stock market opened lower on Monday, following mixed leads from overseas markets. In early trade, the S&P/ASX200 index was down 0.41 per cent, at 4547.4 points, while All Ordinaries had fallen 19 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 4567.3 points.

AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. (AXA APH) (ASX:AXA) Chief Executive Andrew Penn said Thursday the company's Hong Kong business was profitable and growing with sales for the first half up 20 per cent on year. Growth was also accelerating across the Asia region with sales increased 52 per cent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year.

The Australian shares opened firmer this morning after Wall Street rose on speculation that the Federal Reserve would provide more stimulus to the US economy. Mining sector delivered a strong gain in early trade, as BHP Billiton posted a report of record annual production.

Australian shares opened flat this morning. Wall Street overnight closed in the red despite the US market pared most of its early losses after news of halted flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The losses were caused by disappointing economic data including inflation figures, manufacturing in New York and industrial production across the country.

Australian shares today extended Friday's fall, dropping massively this morning. The Asian markets were broadly lower on Monday after the Dow Jones on Friday slumped 3.2 per cent due to the refresh fears on Europe debt. The Hungarian prime minister's spokesman said the country's economy was at risk of entering a Greek-style debt crisis. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index plunged more than 3 per cent in early trade.

The Australian share market opened lower on Friday as metals prices fell. Wall Street has provided a flat lead to the local market. Yesterday the Asian markets widely surged as investors were inspired by the US economic data. The Australian stocks snapped a three-day losing streak and posted a strong 2.4 per cent gain at the close.

The Australian share market today started with a modest drop at opening while the US and UK markets closed overnight for public holidays. The local market could be driven by the economic data due out today, particularly the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision on official interest rates.

AMP Ltd (ASX:AMP) says it is still interested in acquiring the AXA Asia Pacific Holdings' (ASX:AXA) Australia and New Zealand business while the Australian competition watchdog did not block its proposal.

Australian shares extended their losses today as the debt issues in Euro zone continued to perplex the global stock markets. The Australian stocks joined the slump in Asian region this morning with a 1.4 per cent fall in S&P/ASX200 index at opening. Japan's Nikkei 225 shed more than 3 per cent in early trade, after the market closed for public holiday for three days.