Fortescue Metals Group Ltd

The Australian 2008 National Mining Awards recognise the globally competitive Australian mining sector.

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.

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.

The Australian share market continued its losing streak yesterday, falling almost 1% after the financial sector fell on concerns about ANZ Bank's increased debt provisions. The biggest five banks have lost A$29.1 billion in market cap in two days, according to Bloomberg data. Australia's biggest banks may probably continue to suffer in the global economic gloom, while the bad news came amid another horror day for banking stocks.

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.

The China Int'l Steel & Minerals Conference 2008, with the theme of mining development, will be held by UMETAL website in Nanjing, China on March 30. More than 400 delegates have been confirmed at home and abroad.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) - Iron Ore: Investing in Mining Stocks - Mr Rod Campbell, Company Secretary; Boardroomradio is pleased to announce that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) has published an audio file.