Rio Tinto Limited

The Australian share market yesterday closed around 3% higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 101.3 points, or 3.03 per cent, at 3444, while the broader All Ordinaries index lifted 92 points, or 2.79 per cent, to 3392.3. With the positive lead of Wall St. the market is expected to continue its upward movement today.

On Friday the Australian stock market ended higher on the recovery in mining sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 21.4 points, or 0.61%, at 3550.9, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 18.1 points, or 0.52%, to 3494.9. Analysts expect the market may keep its way of turbulence in the reporting season until some clarity of the economy could be seen. Tomorrow Barack Obama's inauguration will be the focus of the week to boost some confidence in the market.

Yesterday the Australian stock market closed nearly 1% higher with gains in banking and resource sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended up 32.4 points, or 0.9%, at 3687 and the broader All Ordinaries index was up 30.4 points, or 0.9%, at 3624.3. Earlier, the market had sunk into negative territory. Today's focus will be the official unemployment figures for December 2008 which are expected to rise on the deepened credit crisis.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 52.4 points, or 1.4%, lower at 3683.3, while the broader All Ordinaries shed 56.4 points, or 1.53%, to 3624.0. The market is pessimistic about the company earnings ahead both in Australia and abroad as investors get prepared for the news that would bring some unpleasant surprises.

Yesterday offshore markets helped lift the Australian share market to a two-month high. Investors started to return as they were increasingly confident that the market may have passed the worst situation. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 37.0 points, or 0.99 per cent, at 3,779.7, and the broader All Ordinaries index added 39.0 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 3,728.2. The weaker commodities prices and performance of US stocks may send the local market down.

Yesterday the Australian stock market closed marginally higher despite a big lead from United States markets. The banking sector was pulled down by Commonwealth Bank as it tried to sell shares to institutional investors for A$2 billion capital raising. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had gained 14.4 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 3570.6 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 16.1 points, or 0.46 per cent, at 3515.0 points. Commonwealth Bank's termination of the share placement and rising bad debts has hit the confidence of the banking sector.

Yesterday, the Australian market closed higher as the miners surged on rising commodities prices offsetting the slump dragged by Telstra after the government ruled out the company from the tender list for bidding on the national broadband network. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index ended the day 2.3% higher, or 81 points, at 3591.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 2.4%, or 83.2 points, to 3535.7. Traditionally the market would be quiet during this period with more focus on specific stocks rather than the market as a whole.

Yesterday Australia's share market closed higher after surge in the mining sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index yesterday ended 36.4 points or 1% higher at 3640.7, while the broader All Ordinaries was up 39.6 points, or 1.1%, at 3,573.3. The stronger commodity prices for gold and oil overnight may further buoy the stocks market which has been oversold.

On Wednesday, the Australian stock market closed marginally higher as figures showed that economic growth slowed to a crawl in the September quarter. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 5.6 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 3,533.8, while the broader All Ordinaries added 3.1 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 3,476.5. In recent weeks, the Australian share kept see-sawed during the trading day. In a short term investors remained cautious to any trigger on the market, while the impact for low interest rates and government stimulus may need some time to work.

Yesterday the Australia market closed lower dragged by resource sector although the central bank's aggressive rate cut of 100 basis points lifted some sentiment in late trading. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 153 points, or 4.16 per cent, at 3,528.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was 145.6 points, or 4.02 per cent, lower at 3,473.4. Analysts anticipate a rise today in local market with positive lead from the US and the RBA rate cut.