Argo Investments Limited

The Australian sharemarket extended last week's losing streak as latest report of China's growing manufacturing activity raised fears on a new round of credit tightening by the Chinese government. The S&P/ASX200 fell 45.5 points, or 1 per cent, to 4524.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index today lost 52.1 points, or 1.1 per cent, at 4544.8.

Wall Street ended the last trading session of July with a positive note on Friday. The Dow increased 0.86% for the week and 8.58% for the month thanks for the better-than-expected earnings reports. The US government reported on Friday that gross domestic product declined by 1% in the second quarter, while economists had expected that number to be around 1.5%. The result gave investors stronger confidence that the worst recession since the Great Depression is likely coming to an end.

The Australian share market opened higher today led by the financial sector and despite disappointing US economic growth data. US equities slumped on readings on jobs and manufacturing which indicated that businesses and workers still face a tough economy.