BHP Billiton Limited

Wall Street closed weaker on Friday with fluctuations that has become a standard in recent weeks and further turmoil overseas is likely to prompt fresh slides for Australia markets. Last Friday the Australia benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 42.6 points, or 1.1%, to 3970.8, after rising as much as 3.4% in the morning. The broader All Ordinaries lost 43.3 points, or 1.1% to 3944.8.

The US Federal Reserve's bailout of insurance giant American International Group (AIG) did little to ease the concerns of investors worldwide, Asian markets were deeply in the red, with Hong Kong's bourse down about seven per cent. The Australia share market took another massive beating yesterday.

Clean TeQ Holdings Limited (ASX:CLQ), an Australian technology company in resource recovery and air and water purification, today announced that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Clean TeQ Limited, has entered into a licence agreement with BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Corporation Pty Ltd for its patented resin technology (marketed as Clean-iX(R)), which will be included in technology options being evaluated by BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) in their proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine at Roxby Downs in South Australia.

Yesterday the Australian share market was dragged down by a 6% fall in Rio Tinto and broad-based weakness across the resources sector on falling commodity prices and a weak US lead. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 56 points, or 1.1%, to 5060, while the broader All Ordinaries had lost 64.5 points, or 1.2%, to 5130.5.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed slightly weaker despite a cut to official interest rates and a drop in the oil price. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 2.3 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 5,116, while the broader All Ordinaries fell five points, or 0.1 per cent, to 5,195. The Australian stock market may continue the decline today with US equities and commodities down overnight.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed slightly lower following weaker commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 17.3 points, or 0.34%, to 5118.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 15.5 points, or 0.3%, to 5200.

The Australian share market closed firmly in the black on last Friday, driven by a resurgent resources sector after the commodities index posted its biggest weekly gain in 33 years. US stocks rose on Friday as financial stocks gained and a plunge in oil prices soothed worries about inflation and consumer spending.

Yesterday the Australian share market nudged a little higher as gold and oil prices rose and investors anticipated a good profit result from BHP Billiton, which released its result after the market closed.

The Australian stock market may rise slightly after oil continued to slide, and transport and consumer related stocks may firm on the back of further fall in oil prices.

Wall Street closed sharply higher overnight as another drop in oil prices improved investor sentiment. Wall Street staged a late rally after a mixed session, as a drop in oil prices helped to offset disappointing earnings reports from the likes of Apple and American Express. American Express reported second quarter earnings were below estimates and withdrew its full year earnings forecast.