BHP Billiton Limited

Wall Street posted modest gains on Tuesday in choppy trade as investors started to be cautious after the recent rallies inspired by earnings results. In addition, US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in testimony the pace of decline appears to have slowed significantly, but the financial system remained stressed and the labour market had continued to deteriorate.

2009 will be an interesting year for Uranium in Western Australia. The change of Government has led to uranium exploration and mining being back in favour but the financial crisis has led to a lack of funds being available for exploration. However the outlook is positive. Uranium usage is tipped to increase with China and India leading the way and Japan also active in the sector.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 56.6 points, or 1.5 per cent, at 3737.5 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 52.6 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 3738 points. Analysts expect the market remained quiet until investors the corporate earnings bolster their confidence.

Yesterday the Australian market posted a marginal rise as investors were cautious ahead of US jobs data in June. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 3.3 points, or 0.09 per cent higher, at 3877.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 2.9 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 3875.2 points.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed higher on the back of stronger commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 49 points, or 1.29 per cent, at 3856, while the broader-based All Ordinaries index gained 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3851.5 points.

The Australian share market yesterday closed at a fresh seven-month high as resource stocks posted strong gains amid renewed attention to the proposed tie-up between Rio Tinto and BHP. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.8 points, or 0.57 per cent, to 4047.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 30.4 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 4046.7.

Yesterday the Australian share market ended lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 fell 36.3 points yesterday, or 0.91 per cent, at 3934.9, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 35.4 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 3933.6. Overnight the stronger commodities prices in New York may boost the local market today.

The Australian share market closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 82.6 points, or 2.06 per cent, at 3934.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 76.8 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 3932.5. Resources stocks will benefit from the rise in commodities prices, but could be weighed down by the failure of investment deal between Rio Tinto and Chinese government backed Chinalco.

The Australian share market ended lower on Friday, dragged by the big miners, as global demand worries hit the prices of oil and base metals. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 52.3 points, or 1.37 per cent, at 3,761.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3,755.4. Resources stocks are expected to gain as commodities prices were firmer. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will lift a ban on covered short-selling of financial stocks effective from the opening of trade today.

Yesterday the Australian share market ended slightly lower dragged by financial stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 10.7 points, or 0.28 per cent, at 3813.9, while the broader All Ordinaries had lost 4.2 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 3804.7.