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The Australian sharemarket posted a sharp loss for second straight day to a one-month closing low on Friday. The market pressured by worries about a slowdown in China and concerns over U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed stricter regulations on banks. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index and the broader All Ordinaries index both tumbled 1.6 per cent. For the week, the ASX 200 fell 3.2 per cent, its worst weekly return in 12 weeks.

US stocks opened lower overnight due to the massive drop in Shanghai shares, which also caused a broad selloff in Asia markets. But Wall Street ended the day higher as the energy companies were boosted on hope of an improving demand. The US oil futures rose after the US Department of Energy said US oil inventories plunged unexpectedly.

The Australian share market yesterday ended higher for a second day, following another rise on Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 57.4 points, or 1.5 per cent, at 3924.5 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 58.7 points, or 1.5 per cent, to 3917.5 points. Trading volumes were still light as the local market was awaiting more upbeat earnings reports from the US to solidify confidence.

Yesterday Australian shares slightly fell on weaker base metal prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index dropped 16.8 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 3766.9 points while the broader All Ordinaries index had shed 16.4 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 3767.8.

The Australian shares ended higher yesterday on the back of some better-than-expected earnings reports. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 35.7 points, or 1.1%, to 3448.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 31.1 points or 0.9% to 3398.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 52.4 points, or 1.4%, lower at 3683.3, while the broader All Ordinaries shed 56.4 points, or 1.53%, to 3624.0. The market is pessimistic about the company earnings ahead both in Australia and abroad as investors get prepared for the news that would bring some unpleasant surprises.

Yesterday, the Australian market closed higher as the miners surged on rising commodities prices offsetting the slump dragged by Telstra after the government ruled out the company from the tender list for bidding on the national broadband network. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index ended the day 2.3% higher, or 81 points, at 3591.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 2.4%, or 83.2 points, to 3535.7. Traditionally the market would be quiet during this period with more focus on specific stocks rather than the market as a whole.

Yesterday, the S&P/ASX-200 share index fell about 1.6%, or 61.3 points, to 3681.2, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 53.7 points, or 1.5%, at 3619. Some US economic research institutions admitted the recession actually started last December, and now the questions are how bad and how long it will be.

On Wednesday, Australian stocks fell again following a weak Wall Street lead, losing almost all of the gains from previous day. It was hurt by a fall in resources stocks on global recession fears and by disappointing US company earnings that stoked worries about the outlook for profit growth.

Wall Street closed weaker on Friday with fluctuations that has become a standard in recent weeks and further turmoil overseas is likely to prompt fresh slides for Australia markets. Last Friday the Australia benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 42.6 points, or 1.1%, to 3970.8, after rising as much as 3.4% in the morning. The broader All Ordinaries lost 43.3 points, or 1.1% to 3944.8.