Rio Tinto Limited

The Australian share market yesterday closed at a fresh seven-month high as resource stocks posted strong gains amid renewed attention to the proposed tie-up between Rio Tinto and BHP. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.8 points, or 0.57 per cent, to 4047.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 30.4 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 4046.7.

Yesterday the Australian share market ended lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 fell 36.3 points yesterday, or 0.91 per cent, at 3934.9, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 35.4 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 3933.6. Overnight the stronger commodities prices in New York may boost the local market today.

The Australian share market closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 82.6 points, or 2.06 per cent, at 3934.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 76.8 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 3932.5. Resources stocks will benefit from the rise in commodities prices, but could be weighed down by the failure of investment deal between Rio Tinto and Chinese government backed Chinalco.

The Australian market rose through the 4,000 level on Wednesday, led by property stocks as data showed the economy had avoided a recession. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 surged 61.9 points, or 1.56 per cent, to 4,017.2, while the broader All Ordinaries was 61.2 points, or 1.55 per cent higher, at 4,009.3.

The Australian shares were broadly higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 rose 76.4 points, or 2 per cent, at 3894.4, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 74.6 points, or 1.96 per cent, to 3887.9 points. Besides the strong lead from Wall Street, the rising commodities prices may also push up the market today.

The Australian share market ended higher on Friday, led by banking stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 62.4 points, or 1.66 per cent, to 3,818.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 59.4 points, or 1.58 per cent, to 3,813.3.

The Australian share market closed lower with a broad-based selling off after Wall Street's tumble. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index slumped 45.4 points, or 1.2 per cent, at 3755.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 41.4 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 3753.9.

Australian shares market yesterday was buoyed by the news Rio Tinto reached a better than expected iron ore price agreement with Japan's Nippon Steel. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 50.5 points, or 1.4 per cent, at 3788.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 46.3 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 3781.6.

Yesterday the Australian shares ended lower dragged by financial stocks after the lifting the eight-month short-selling ban. The market was also hit by news of a nuclear weapon test by North Korea. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 23.7 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 3737.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 20.1 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 3735.3.

The Australian share market ended lower on Friday, dragged by the big miners, as global demand worries hit the prices of oil and base metals. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 52.3 points, or 1.37 per cent, at 3,761.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3,755.4. Resources stocks are expected to gain as commodities prices were firmer. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will lift a ban on covered short-selling of financial stocks effective from the opening of trade today.