Aspire Mining Limited (ASX:AKM) (PINK:ASPXF) is pleased to announce the completion of the placement of 105,860,186 ordinary shares at A$0.19 per share to SouthGobi Resources Limited (TSX:SGQ).

Iron Road Limited (ASX:IRD) (Iron Road) is pleased to announce that Mr Jerry Ellis has been appointed to the Board of Iron Road as a Non-Executive Director. Mr Ellis has had a long and distinguished career in business, particularly in the resources sector and his experience will be invaluable as Iron Road progresses its flagship project at Central Eyre.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (ASX:EOS) (PINK:EOPSF) today announces the launch of its American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program and quotation on the Over-The-Counter (OTC) market in the United States of America.

Australian shares opened marginally lower following Wall Street's weak lead. Investors continued to place focus on the local news while the earnings season entered the final stage. The Australian dollar also opened lower on Monday over the federal election uncertainty. The local unit was trading at 88.63 US cents, down 0.44 per cent from Friday's close of 89.03 US cents.

The Australian stock market opened lower on Wednesday after US stocks dropped and oil and metals prices slipped overnight.

The Australian stock market opened lower on Monday, following mixed leads from overseas markets. In early trade, the S&P/ASX200 index was down 0.41 per cent, at 4547.4 points, while All Ordinaries had fallen 19 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 4567.3 points.

AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. (AXA APH) (ASX:AXA) Chief Executive Andrew Penn said Thursday the company's Hong Kong business was profitable and growing with sales for the first half up 20 per cent on year. Growth was also accelerating across the Asia region with sales increased 52 per cent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year.

The Australian shares opened firmer this morning after Wall Street rose on speculation that the Federal Reserve would provide more stimulus to the US economy. Mining sector delivered a strong gain in early trade, as BHP Billiton posted a report of record annual production.

Australian shares opened flat this morning. Wall Street overnight closed in the red despite the US market pared most of its early losses after news of halted flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The losses were caused by disappointing economic data including inflation figures, manufacturing in New York and industrial production across the country.

Australian shares today extended Friday's fall, dropping massively this morning. The Asian markets were broadly lower on Monday after the Dow Jones on Friday slumped 3.2 per cent due to the refresh fears on Europe debt. The Hungarian prime minister's spokesman said the country's economy was at risk of entering a Greek-style debt crisis. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index plunged more than 3 per cent in early trade.