MARKETS

Thursday saw the ASX make another near six year intra-day and closing high, as trading in the blue chips continued to push the market to levels not seen since mid-2008.

In US economic data, the ´´flash´´ services index fell from 55.3 to 54.2 in April. The composite purchasing managers index eased from 55.7 to 54.9 in April. But consumer sentiment rose from 82.6 to a 9-month high of 84.1 in April, ahead of forecasts centred on a result near 83.0.

The buying spree continued on the final day of the shortened trading week, with Australian stocks once again closing at their best levels in almost six years.

The Australian share market continues to trade at near six year highs in the early session, despite a negative lead from Wall Street. Investor sentiment has been boosted however by strong earnings reports from Facebook and Apple in the US, after the bell, which has sent both companies' share prices higher in after-hours trade.

The equity rally we've been seeing in the US finally came to a halt on the back of mixed earnings and some disappointing economic data. The US flash manufacturing PMI and new home sales both missed estimates and contributed to dampening sentiment. While earnings weren't great in US trade, after hours trade has seen some monster results from tech giants Apple and Facebook. In fact, US futures are up 0.6% in after-hours trade and this is likely to also translate to good gains in Asia.

In US economic data, new home sales fell by 14.5% to a 384,000 annual rate in March, an 8-month low and below the market expectation for a result near 450,000. The Markit manufacturing index eased from 55.5 to 55.4 in April, below forecasts for a result near 56.0.

A TripBarometer survey by travel site TripAdvisor among 50,000 people from different countries named Australia and Italy as their top dream destinations with the two nations tied for first place.

Although Filipinos are found in 200 countries, the United States remains a land of milk and honey for many of them. Thus, when a news report came out that the State Department announced on Monday of a new policy that could be life changing for Philippine residents, many were happy.

The Australian sharemarket maintained most of its gains this afternoon to close near six-year highs and improve for the fifth straight day. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed above the 5,500 point mark for the first time in 2014, with the XAO rising by 0.64 per cent to 5502.2.

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the fifth day, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up by 0.5 per cent. A little earlier, the All Ords was trading above the 5500pt mark for only the second time this calendar year.

The lucrative Mt Everest climbing season about to start in mid-May has been cast into doubt as sherpa guides united on Tuesday to abandon 2014's climbing activity following the death of 16 comrades by an avalanche on Friday.

The light Easter trading continued in Europe and the US overnight. The Easter mergers and acquisitions dance also continued as drug maker GSK traded its cancer division to Swiss competitor Novartis.

In US economic data, existing home sales fell by just 0.2% to a 4.59 million annual rate in March, above forecasts for a result near 4.55m. The FHFA home price index rose by 0.6% in February to stand 6.9% higher than a year ago. The Richmond Federal Reserve index rose from minus 7 to +7 in April.

The Australian share market rose in thin trading volumes on the first day of the shortened trading week. Markets were closed yesterday for the Easter Monday holiday and will be shut again on Friday for Anzac Day.

The Australian share market has resumed trade after the Easter break on a positive note, rising 0.4 per cent in thin trading volumes.

In US economic data, the national activity index eased from a revised reading of +0.53 points in February to +0.20 points in March. The leading index rose by 0.8% in March, higher than the market expectation for a gain of +0.7%.

The mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 360 seems to have created a Flight 370 syndrome characterised by air passengers fearing the worst-case scenario once their plane turns around or diverts from its original route.

The ASX 200 ended Thursday's session with a flourish having posted highs in the late morning. The index tapered away in the afternoon although it kicked higher to end the week with a gain of almost 0.5%. This was a noteworthy turnaround considering the weak tone that marked the early part of the week.

The Australian sharemarket is rising for the third straight day, driven by firmer global markets overnight. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is still above 5400pts this shortened trading week.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has arrested a 19-year-old Canadian in relation to the Heartbleed security breach.

US equities advanced yet again as earnings continued to underpin confidence in the recovery and US data encouraged. With no fresh negative tape out of the Ukraine sentiment remained positive.

In US economic data, housing starts rose by 2.8% to an annual rate of 946,000 in March, below expectations for a result near 973,000. Industrial production rose by 0.7% in March, above expectations for a gain of 0.5%.

The Australian sharemarket closed above 5400pts, partly boosted by a slightly better than expected Chinese economic growth. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) jumped 0.6 per cent to 5412.6. On Monday the local market sank to three-week lows. Volume has been subdued due to public holidays.

The Australian share market is continuing to add to Tuesday's gains in the early session on Wednesday, after US markets rode out a volatile session on a high note.

Global equities were mixed with US markets continuing their recovery, while European and emerging markets struggled. US markets struggled early as China growth fears and Ukraine concerns weighed on equities, but they managed to reverse on earnings optimism. Earnings from Johnson & Johnson and Coca Cola impressed, while Intel came in mildly better than expected.

In US economic data, the headline and core measures of consumer prices (the latter excludes food and energy) both rose 0.2% in March, above forecasts for a 0.1% gain. The New York Federal Reserve manufacturing index eased from +5.61 to +1.29 in April. And overall capital flows into the US lifted from US$83 billion in January to US$167.7 billion in February.

The Australian sharemarket partly made up for the substantial losses recorded on Monday. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.5 per cent after recording its worst performance in four weeks yesterday. The index failed to finish above the key 5400pt level. It was a quiet session on the volume front, with only $3.9 billion worth of shares changing hands leading up to a number of public holidays.

The local share market is trading higher in the early session, rebounding from Friday and Monday's hefty losses thanks to strong gains on Wall Street overnight.

Surprise earnings from Citigroup have certainly managed to snap the S&P out of its downward trend. The S&P registered its worst week since January last week, but snapped back on Citi earnings and better-than-expected retails sale.