MARKETS

The Australian bourse finished lower on Monday amid some profit-taking, although heavyweight mining and bank stocks partly recouped their losses after a speech by Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens described a "robust economic upswing" in Australia.

Perth-based Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU) said on Monday that it has been informed by the South Australian government that the company’s breakthrough rare earths processing complex would be given major project status.

Airport operator MAp Group (ASX: MAP) said on Monday that its majority-owned Sydney Airport saw soaring traffic in August as passengers travelling through the terminal registered 2.95 million in the month, which the company said was the best August result so far.

The Australian currency is trading higher as the greenback weakens in the lead up to a lunchtime speech by the Reserve Bank of Australia governor.

After hitting a four-month high last week, the Australian stockmarket backpedalled at Monday noon, as miners and banks suffer profit-taking.

Construction materials specialist James Hardie Industries SE (ASX: JHX) said on Monday that it would appeal a Federal Court decision that ordered the company to pay back taxes of up to $US318 million or $A339 million, owed by its subsidiary RCI Pty Ltd.

Unlike the unstable share market, the bond market shows strength on Monday with the December 10-year bond futures contract slightly increased to 94.870 from Friday's close of 94.850.

The AUD traded up into the mid 0.9400's on Friday evening but has started this week lower around the 0.9370 level as equity markets eased in Europe and the US on concerns of sovereign debt issues in Ireland and Portugal and a weaker consumer confidence survey from the University of Michigan.

US consumer sentiment eased from 68.9 to 66.6 in September, short of forecasts centred on a result near 70.0. US consumer prices rose by 0.3pct in September but the core measure (excludes food and energy) was unchanged in the month.

U.S. stocks climbed narrowly into positive territory on Friday, as technology companies added to the week's modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13.02 points, or 0.12%, to 10607.85 Friday.

The Australian market could start the week low since trading on Saturday morning was 22 point lower at 4637.

The Australian currency was higher at Friday noon, nearing a two-year high, as traders take stock after a dramatic week on currency markets.

The Australian currency finished at two-year high on Friday, returning to heights held before the financial crisis.

The Australian bourse finished higher on Friday, extending its rally for three consecutive weeks as miners posted all-time high gains.

New Zealand dairy firm Fonterra announced on Friday that it has sealed a deal that gave the company the go signal to but two dairy farms in China, where the dairy producer plans to establish a base of milk that meets NZ dairy standard.

Three nations’ markets launched into frenetic trading on Friday as Spanish construction giant Actividades de Construccion y Servicios (ACS) put forward a 2.76 billion Euro or $A3.85 billion all-share proposal on the remaining 70 percent of Germany’s Hochtief, which is a majority owner of Australia’s Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI).

The Australian stockmarket was half a per cent stronger at Friday noon, as the resource giants continued to post gains, despite lacklustre overseas leads.

Rare earths producer Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU) announced on Friday that it has forged a deal with OneSteel Ltd to acquire land in Whyalla on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula where the company will house its new processing plant .

The AUD maintained its bid tone overnight, supported above USD0.9350 amid continuing USD weakness and EUR strength.

US jobless claims fell by 3,000 to 450,000 - the lowest reading in two months.

Technology companies boosted U.S. blue chip stocks to a narrow gain Thursday, as confidence mounted that the economy would avoid a double dip recession.

The Australian stock exchange opened higher today following a higher closing of the Dow Jones industrial average.

The Australian currency was slightly higher at Thursday noon as further speculation of quantitative easing in the US and currency devaluations by other countries kept it in a tight range.

The Australian currency finished lower on profit-taking after Japan did not step in a second time to weaken the yen against the greenback.

The Australian sharemarket finished sharply lower on Thursday as the big miners sank on weaker metal prices.

South African-focused mining firm Continental Coal Ltd (ASX: CCC) announced on Thursday that it has struck a deal that would allow the junior miner to purchase Mashala Resources, paving the way for the company to achieve mid-tier producer status.

Bauxite miner Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC) revealed on Thursday that its third quarter operating costs for the current year could soar by as much as $US11 million or $A11.73 million following the power outages and equipment commissioning problems that hit its Alumar refinery in Brazil.

The Australian sharemarket was weaker at Thursday noon, as profit takers drive losses among materials and financial stocks.

Budding Australian businesses are tapping the largest consumer market in Asia by taking part in the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF).