Oz Minerals Limited

OZ Minerals Limited (ASX:OZL) and IMX Resources Limited (ASX:IXR) have signed an Exploration Joint Venture Agreement to form a joint venture to explore for, and facilitate the development of, copper-gold projects on IMX's Mt Woods tenements in South Australia. OZ Minerals, which holds a 13 percent stake in IMX, has an immediate 51 per cent interest in the joint venture.

Australian sharemarket dropped on Thursday due to concerns that China's bank lending halt may hit the global economy recovery. Chinese government data showed that GDP increased by 8.7 per cent in 2009 but inflation surged towards the end of the year. The results fuelled the expectations that China will introduce more measures to slow inflation. At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 41 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 4827.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 45.8 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 4849.6.

US stocks closed higher overnight as Dubai World said it was in discussions with banks to restructure US$26 billion in debt and the talks were proceeding on a constructive basis. Global markets strongly rebounded yesterday as investors realised that Dubai's trouble might be a regional problem.

Dow Jones Industrial Average Friday retreated about 1.5 per cent on concerns over the problem of Dubai World. But European shares reversed earlier sharp losses due to some bargain hunting buying.

Overnight Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 10,000 points for the first time in a year, as the investors were encouraged by the better-than-expected earnings from Intel and JPMorgan Chase. The gains in stocks market were also helped by the positive September US retail sales data, which could be a further confirmation of a recovery.

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX:MEI) has reached agreement in principle with Beadell Resources Limited (ASX: BDR) for a joint venture on four granted exploration licences (E80/3820, 3821, 3822 and 3823) totalling 840sq km close to Meteoric's Webb gold project in the West Arunta region of WA. This agreement significantly expands Meteoric's interests in the unexplored and highly prospective West Arunta region where targets now include a major 80sq km gold anomaly and at least six coincident magnetic-gravity IOCG-type anomalies.

US stocks closed nearly unchanged Wednesday despite a stronger than expected increase of new home sales and a jump in durable goods orders. The market responded to the positive data with a shrug, as investors remained cautious and took their profits after rallies.

The Australian shares were lower for a fourth consecutive day as traders continued to sell-off mining stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 0.3 per cent, or 12 points lower, to 3892.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 0.4 per cent, or 16.8 points, at 3887.4.

The Australian share market yesterday closed at a fresh seven-month high as resource stocks posted strong gains amid renewed attention to the proposed tie-up between Rio Tinto and BHP. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.8 points, or 0.57 per cent, to 4047.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 30.4 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 4046.7.

The Australian shares Wednesday posted a strong gain boosted by miners and banks. The upbeat data on consumer confidence and housing finance also helped to lift the local market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 89.5 points, or 2.27 per cent, to 4024.4, and the broader All Ordinaries index surged 82.7 points, or 2.1 per cent, at 4016.3.