MARKETS

A report released by the federal government on Thursday estimated that Australia would need to import 100 million tonnes of carbon abatement to meet the country's greenhouse gas reduction targets.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 10 points, or 0.1%, while the S&P was up a point to 1412 and the Nasdaq lost 0.

Local stocks enjoyed a strong rally during Wednesday's trade, thanks to positive momentum out of Europe. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 29.7pts or 0.7pct to 4535.4.

Last week we mentioned that Germany's audit office wanted the Bundesbank to make sure German gold held in foreign vaults is...you know...actually there...and has not been leased into oblivion, never to back sound money again. Well the story gets better.

The government finally published its Asian Century white paper this weekend. It sure sounds impressive. With the kind of timing this government has, a giant meteor will strike the Asian continent and destroy it sometime next week.

Despite yesterday's blowout $6 billion or so profit from ANZ, it turns out all is not entirely well in Australia's financial services industry. For the last five years, the pattern in the markets has been the same. A crisis starts at the margin, with a peripheral player, and then moves its way up the food chain.

Food Production: Feed the World and Make Money From Agriculture

Today, Fairfax announced that The Stayz Group has acquired YesBookit, the leading holiday rental booking system for property managers. Developed by Midac Technologies, YesBookit integrates with Stayz, Rentahome, HomeAway and Wotif to simplify the holiday booking process for Australian and New Zealand property managers.

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the third straight session, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up 0.8 per cent or 34.3 pts to 4540. All sectors are rising with the mining, healthcare and telecommunication industries the standouts. This is despite the closure of U.S markets last night for the second consecutive day due to bad weather. This was the first time in 124 years the American markets closed due to bad weather for two sessions in a row.

By David Eller, Investment U ResearchCan you get an edge over the analysts on Wall Street?Peter Lynch thinks so.

By Greg PeelThe good news is that despite reports to the contrary, the NYSE was not under four feet of water yesterday, and all stock and bond markets will reopen for normal service, including floor trading, tonight.

The Australian sharemarket improved for the second consecutive session, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) edging higher by an unimpressive 0.1 per cent or 6.3 pts to 4505.7. Almost all sectors gained at least some ground, with the exception of energy stocks and the industrials.

Investors must have been wondering how long the good weather would last...how long it could last. Stocks have been on the up and up since March of 2008, the nadir of the crisis. They've doubled from then 'till now.

Stocks managed small gains on Wall Street another lackluster Wall Street trading session on the 25th of October, with doubts surrounding weak business ventures keeping most investors cautious.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Gazprom, the country's pipeline gas export monopoly, to build a 3,200km pipeline from East Siberia to the Pacific port of Vladivostok, reported Reuters on Monday, in an attempt to reduce the nation's reliance on exports to Europe and develop closer ties with Asian customers.

Local stocks are trading modestly higher at lunchtime in the East, despite falls on the Canadian and European markets overnight. All US markets were closed due to Hurricane Sandy, which is currently bearing down on New York City. It's expected US markets will also close tonight (Tuesday) - which will be the first time bad weather has forced the closure of the NYSE for two consecutive sessions since 1888. The last time a Hurricane closed the NYSE for one day was in 1985. Nearing lunchtime in t...

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) ordered on Monday a five-year ban on trading on Apple Investment Company and a three-year ban on providing financial advice on Alec Khoo & Associates.

By Greg PeelThe NYSE, Nasdaq and other smaller US exchanges were closed last night for all forms of trading by agreement of those exchanges.

While Australia's Parliament is studying the imposition of a travel levy on residents who fly overseas, foreign students in New South Wales (NSW) would enjoy up to 35 per cent discount on public transportation.

Australia's organic market is growing, a report from the Biological Farmers of Australia said. The 2012 Australian Organic Market estimated the industry's value at $300 million a year.

Australia's housing market is improving based on the results of Super Saturday the country's biggest auction day of the year. Held between the football grand finals and the Melbourne Cup, the auction on Oct 27 resulted in sale of more than 2,400 properties in a single day.

The Australian share market started the week's trade in the black, although earlier gains were pared back following news all US markets will be closed tonight as Hurricane Sandy bears down on New York.

The Australian sharemarket is kicking off the week in positive fashion, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) edging higher by 0.4 per cent or 16 pts to 4512.3 at lunch. Most sectors are improving, with the exception of the defensive healthcare and telco sectors.

- Iron ore price rebound complete- Restocking phase may now slow- Prices expected to drift back until next yearBy Greg PeelFor most of the year analysts had decided US$120/t was a reliable floor for Chinese spot iron ore prices.

Investors were faced with a variety of news over the last 5 trading days. A large number of companies have hosted investors at AGM's. The Mid week release of higher than expected QIII CPI numbers startled interest rate and equity markets, whilst the local currency ran higher. WA and NSW were put on negative credit watch by Standard and Poors. Historically such an outcome would have seen a substantial down draught for the currency. Regional stock indices seemed unimpressed by an improved read ...

Despite a positive start, local stocks have turned south at lunchtime in the East, as losses from the big mining players detract from gains elsewhere. Overnight, US stocks rose modestly although volumes were light ahead of US growth numbers being released tonight. European markets also had slight gains, with UK September quarter economic growth figures bouncing by one percent, although these figures were distorted by the effects of the Olympics on the economy. At lunchtime in the East, the All O...

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaI joined Twitter. Not because I am curious what this celebrity has to say about her kids, or to read that another one is waiting for a connecting flight, impatiently.

Mining giant BHP Billiton (AXS: BHP) warned on Thursday that the mining industry faces short-term instability over eurozone instability and concerns on China's growth. To address this situation, he said the company will instead focus on volume instead of price.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportThe S&P 500 is now below an important testing level of 1,420; it's sitting on 1,412, which should have some resistance, but if it falls, 1,400 is the next big one.