BHP Billiton Limited

Yesterday Australian shares closed 1% higher as most sectors surged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 33.9 points, at 3480.2 while the All Ordinaries index was up 0.9%, or 30.60 points, at 3416.8. The local mining and energy sectors could be buoyed by the rising gold and oil prices today despite the negative lead from the US.

Yesterday, the Australian market ended marginally lower as investors were encouraged by the Wall Street rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended the day down 0.3%, or 8.9 points, at 3235.5. The broader All Ordinaries index was also down 0.3%, or 8.7 points, at 3190.4. "Many investors have feared worst, and many are probably predicting companies such as GM would eventually be gone, and are already prepared for it," says Thomas Su, Research Director of Money Cat Consulting. It may be too early to predict, but it seems the financial stocks may start leading the gain in the second half of the year, Thomas Su added.

Yesterday the Australian market ended slightly higher. The big miners such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto pushed the market up despite falls in the banking and finance sector, according to CMC Markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 9 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 3154.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 10 points to 3121.7. Today the big miners are not likely to help the market up after the falls of commodities prices and lacking positive news from the US.

Yesterday the Australian market closed higher led by resources sector as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the Chinese government will increase spending to boost the economy and achieve an 8% growth target this year. It raised the expectations that China's stimulus measures will prompt the demand for resources. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.1 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 3,188.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 22.9 points, or 0.73 per cent, to 3,148.8.

Yesterday the Australia market stayed on the red for the third consecutive day. Both the Aussie dollar and the S&P 200 Index fell lower on the news of the latest GDP figures. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 1.6%, or 52.8 points, at 3166.4, while the All Ordinaries index loses 1.4%, or 45.5 points, at 3125.9.

Yesterday the Australian market closed lower even it rebounded after news the US Government may end up owning as much as 40% of Citigroup's common stock. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 1.5%, or 51.2 points, at 3351.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 1.5%, or 48.9 points, at 3304.1. Today the local stocks are expected a fresh low level on the massive lost in Wall Street.

Last Friday Australian shares ended higher, capping a winning week after reports that the US government was working on a program to help troubled US home owners. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 rose 44.8 points, or 1.27 per cent, at 3,559.1, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 38.2 points, or 1.1 per cent to 3,496.7. The Obama administration's seeking to lower expectations of a quick fix to the financial crisis and the coming earnings reports may send the market to a negative territory.

Yesterday the Aussie market ended higher amid expectations debt-laden Rio Tinto would announce the A$30 billion deal with Chinese steelmaker Chinalco. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 39.9 points, or 1.15 per cent, at 3,514.3, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 40.4 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 3,458.5. Today investors will also be looking to the proceeding of government's A42$ billion economic stimulus package as Parliament will debate a new version after the Senate rejected the government's first proposed plan.

The Australian share market closed higher on Tuesday, as the central bank's interest rate cut bolstered the financial stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended up 11.3 points, or 0.32 per cent, at 3,508.7 while the broader All Ordinaries index was 5.6 points stronger, up 0.16 per cent, at 3,449.1. Today investors may focus their attention on the earnings report of BHP Billiton and the decision by the four major banks after RBA's rate cut.

Yesterday the Australian stock market ended the day lower, led by financial stocks, on renewed worries about banking industry worldwide. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 1%, or 33.8 points, at 3442.8, while the broader All Ordinaries index was lower by 0.9%, or 30.2 points, at 3394.8. Regulator ASIC's move to extend a ban on covered short-selling of financial securities would give a positive lead to the banking industry.