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Australian Stock Market Report-CLOSING- (7/22/2011)

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Local stocks rallied once again today, after Eurozone leaders agreed on a second bailout package for Greece, sending markets around the globe higher. Hopes are also rising that a deal to lift the US government's maximum borrowing power, or so-called "debt ceiling" will also be reached by the August 2nd deadline.
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Australian Stock Market - CLOSING (7/20/2011)

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST) An estimated $23 billion in value was added to the local share market today. Stocks rallied on hopes Washington would reach an agreement to raise the US debt ceiling before the August second deadline. A debt ceiling is the name given to the maximum borrowing power of a government, and overnight US President Obama expressed optimism that a deal to raise that borrowing power would soon be reached. Strong company earnings results released in the US overnight also b...

Australian Stock Market -MIDDAY-(7/20/2011)

MIDDAY REPORT (12pm AEST)The Australian share market is posting solid gains in early trade, on the back of positive offshore leads and generally firmer commodity prices. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is firmer by 74.5pts or 1.6pct to 4613.9.

Australian Stock Market Report-CLOSING (7/19/2011)

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)The local share market once again finished flat, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) virtually unchanged at 4539.4. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) closed down 3.9pts to 4468.1.

Signs Point to Apple iPhone 5 September Release

It is now looking more like th eApple iPhone 5 will be released in September as subcontractors of the leading American phone manufacturer have confirmed to be gearing up for the said date of release, reports said.

Australian Stock Market Report-MIDDAY (7/19/2011)

MIDDAY REPORT (12.15pm AEST)Australian shares are trading flat at lunchtime in the East, as gains from energy players are offset by losses from the financials. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.7 of a point to 4539.2pts. Energy players are faring best, with the sector firmer by 0.8pct. Woodside Petroleum (WPL) shares are up 1.7pct to $38.90 after reporting a 17pct rise in 2Q 2011 revenue to $1.19 billion. Production for the same period fell 7pct.

Australian Stock Market Report- CLOSING (7/18/ 2011)

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Local stocks tracked sideways today, with losses in the energy and consumer discretionary sectors holding the overall market back. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 2.8pts to 4539 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) eased by 1.5pts to 4472.Merger and acquisition activity was the order of the day. Before market open, two takeover bids were announced - one in the energy sector and another in the materials sector.

Asia-Pacific Sharemarkets Overview-(7/18/2011)

Across Asia, regional markets have started the week in a mixed fashion despite the positive leads from the US on Friday. Traders continue to be very cautious ahead of what's likely to be another volatile week as debt problems in the US and Europe continues to hang over the market. The Hang Seng is 0.2% firmer for the session while the Shanghai Composite is 0.1% lower. The Nikkei 225 is closed for a holiday.

Australian Stock Market Report- MIDDAY (7/18/ 2011)

MIDDAY REPORT (12.35pm AEST)The local share market has defied Wall Street's positive Friday finish and started the trading week slightly lower. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 8.6pts or 0.2pct to 4534.1.Energy players are under the most pressure, despite a rise in the crude oil price. Oil is hovering around US$97.57 a barrel, thanks to a firmer US dollar and generally favourable stress tests results on European banks.

Australian Stock Market-CLOSING (7/15/2011)

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Debt concerns in the US and Europe once again rattled local investors, with the Australian share market ending the trading week in the red. Ratings agency Standard & Poor´s today warned there is a one-in-two chance it could cut the United States´ prized triple-A rating if a deal on raising the government´s debt ceiling is not agreed soon. The deadline for the agreement is August 2nd. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 18.6pts or 0.4pct to 4542.7 while the S&P/A...

Carbon tax to encourage $100B in new energy investments

Change and changing mindsets, no matter at what stage are loathed at, but at times circumstances just points to the inevitable. This is how the staunch supporters of the carbon tax in Australia perceive their advocacy in the days to come.

Australian Stock Market-MIDDAY (7/15/2011)

MIDDAY REPORT (12pm AEST)Australian stocks have started the last trading day of the week in the red, on continued investor concern about US and European economic woes. Ratings agency Standard & Poor´s has this morning warned there is a one-in-two chance it could cut the United States´ prized triple-A rating if a deal on raising the government´s debt ceiling is not agreed soon. The deadline for the agreement is August 2nd. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 15.2...

Jetstar flying direct to Beijing; to expand services further

Qantas Group has announced that it would be providing service to Beijing through its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. The new service which will link Beijing to Melbourne via Singapore is another move to capture as much of the growing Melbourne-Beijing tourism market.

Australia's residential prices drop further

In spite the lowered residential property prices, affordability is still a major concern among residents in Australia, the National Australia Bank's latest survey indicated.

Australian Stock Market: CLOSING- (7/13/2011)

MARKET CLOSE-- (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket was lower in the first half of the day; however our fortunes changed for the better following solid economic numbers out of China today. The ASX 200 index (XJO) rose 0.40 pct or 19.4 pts to 4514.8 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) gained 0.40 pct or 19.7 pts to 4583.2.

Australian Stock Market: MIDDAY- (7/13/2011)

MIDDAY REPORT -CommSec (12.00pm AEST)After a stronger start to trade today, the Australian sharemarket has crept into negative territory with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 0.1 pct or 6.7 pts to 4556.8. Most sectors are lower with the exception of the industrials, telcos and healthcare stocks.

Consumer sentiment ‘disturbingly low’

Consumer sentiment in Australia has plummeted to its lowest level in over two years, dragged down by European debt concerns and worries about the introduction of the price on carbon.

Australian stock market- CLOSING (7/12/2011)

MARKET CLOSE--Commonwealth Securities (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket extended its falls in the second half of trade today, with the ASX 200 index (XJO) down 1.9 pct or 86.9 pts to 4495.4 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) slumped by 1.8 pct or 83.3 pts to 4563.5. Almost all regions of the market ended lower with the exception of the coal producers.

Australian Sharemarket -Midday Report (7/12/2011)

MIDDAY REPORT-Commonwealth Securities (CommSec) (12.00pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket is pulling back for the second straight day, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 1.4 pct or 65.5 pts to 4581.3. Almost all sectors are currently trading in the red with the miners down in the order of 1.5 pct.

Carbon Tax: Bitter pill to save Australia's environment

Beleaguered and undaunted, Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard had begun her final push for the carbon tax deemed necessary for the environment but would be costly for the domestic economy. There is no turning back for Ms Gillard determined to put a carbon emissions scheme in place no matter what the odds.

Alcoholic drinks will soon have health warning labels

DrinkWise Australia, a liquor industry funded organization will officially launch today a campaign that will introduce warning labels on alcoholic beverages about the dangers of drinking excessively and drinking while pregnant or underage.

Australian Stock Market-Closing 7/11/2011

MARKET CLOSE-CommSec (4.30pm AEST)It was a less than desirable start to the week for equities, with the ASX 200 index (XJO) falling 1.6 pct or 72.4 pts to 4582.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) has dropped 1.5 pct or 69.2 pts to 4646.8. Almost all market segments ended in lower territory by the close of business.

Global Markets Overview 7/8/2011

COMMSEC MORNING REPORT (7am AEST)US same store sales rose by 6.5pct in June - well ahead of expectations for a 4.9pct rise. Of the 23 chain stores tracked by Thomson Reuters all but four of the chains reported an increase. The ICSC expects sales to rise by 4.5-5.5pct in July.

Australia sees surge in full-time jobs

National jobs figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed a significant rebound in the employment market, confirming the underlying strength of the Australian economy.

Australia's Government scales back on carbon tax

The Australian government has mellowed down its carbon tax policy that would not be too much of a burden to small and medium enterprises. Industries affected by the carbon price had been reduced to 500 from the previous 1000, the government said.

Australia's construction sector index skids further in June

The national construction industry contracted further in June with solid falls in new orders and activity across the sector. The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI®) in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association, fell 3.8 points to 35.8 (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction in activity).

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