BHP Billiton Limited

The Australian share market yesterday closed significantly lower as investors anticipated further drop in Europe and US. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 132.7 points, or 3.4 per cent, to 3723.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index declined 131.7 points, or 3.4 per cent, to 3710.8.

The Australian shares posted strong gains yesterday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 3% higher, or 113.4 points, at 3883. The broad-market All Ordinaries index was up 2.9%, or 108.1 points, at 3846. Today the local market is expected to extend its rally after the boost of overseas and rising commodities prices. Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision will be the focus of the day.

Otto Energy Limited (ASX:OEL)(PINK:OTTEF) announce an operations update from a quarterly reported ended 31 March 2009.

Murchison Metals Limited (ASX:MMX)(PINK:MUMTF) As at 31 March 2009 the Company was debt free and had cash and liquid investments of A$143 million, a decrease of A$18 million from the previous quarter. Included in this cash outflow are amounts paid to Crosslands and OPR of A$17 million to finance feasibility studies and exploration costs. Interest earned on investments for the quarter amounted to A$1.9 million.

Yesterday Australian shares fell after Wall Street plummeted on renewed banking fears. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index plunged 2.4%, or 91.6 points, at 3677.4, while broad-market All Ordinaries index lost 2.4%, or 89.2 points, at 3633.1.

The Australian market is expected to rise after Easter holiday as metals prices were up overnight. On Thursday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 52.1 points, or 1.4%, at 3671.6, while the broader All Ordinaries surged 50 points, or 1.4% to 3617.5.

Australian shares closed lowered yesterday as investors expected a further fall on US market. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 86.8 points, or 2.3 per cent, to 3619.5, while the All Ordinaries was down 81 points, or 2.22 per cent at 3567.5. The financial stocks may be hit by International Monetary Fund's forecast of increasing toxic assets.

Yesterday Aussie shares closed slightly lower after the massive fall in the US market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended the day down 0.6%, or 22.3 points, at 3582.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 0.6%, or 21.9 points, at 3532.3. The local market has become more immune to Wall Street’s negative leads in recent days.

Yesterday, the Australian market finished in positive territory as the Wall Street's good performance this month fueled investors' confidence over a gradual recovery in the US. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 ended the day up 37.3 points, or 1.03 per cent, at 3646.6, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 40.1 points, or 1.13 per cent, to 3586.3.

In the midst of the global financial crisis, the US mining industry and the energy resource sector continues to outperform the market and remains as an investment hotspot for many institutional investors from Asia.