Rio Tinto Limited

In Asia, China's unexpected announcement that it will increase the reserve-requirement ratio would fuel worries over the global economy recovery, but thin trading is expected today as most markets including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore will be closed for Lunar New Year holiday. Japan's exporters will be supported by weaker yen. Japan's gross domestic product data, released by the Cabinet Office on Monday, showed that the country's economy grew at a faster than expected pace in the October-December quarter.

Asian markets were higher Thursday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1.9 per cent and South Korea's Kospi advanced 1.8 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite closed flat with thin trade ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, despite a slower than CPI growth eased worries of rate increase.

The Australian share market dropped sharply to a three-month low on Friday follwoing the plummet in overseas stocks and commodities prices. About A$31 billion was wiped from the value of stocks after the massive selling in Australian shares. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 107.3 points, or 2.32 per cent, to close at 4514.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 111.4 points, or 2.4 per cent, to 4532.7.

Asian markets closed mostly higher on Wednesday as materials shares were boosted by strong commodities prices. Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.3 percent as exporters gained on strong U.S. data and weakness in yen against greenback. But the rises were pulled back by a drop in shares of Toyota Motor Corp after its recall woes hit its sales. South Korea's Kospi added 1.2%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.2% and China's Shanghai Composite gained 2.4%.

Australian shares on Thursday rose on Rio Tinto's report on strong production and sales. The upbeat jobs data and rebounding Asian markets also helped to lift the market. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 29.9 points, or 0.6 per cent, at 4898, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 29.3 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4929.4.

Australian share market ended the first week of 2010 with a 15-month high as banking shares rebounded on Friday from the falls in previous session, offsetting losses in resources sector. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 12.7 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 4912.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index advanced 11.7 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 4942.2.

The Australian shares Wednesday were broadly higher in the last full trading day before Christmas holiday. The market rose in a light trade after the US market gained on the upbeat home sales data. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 35.1 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 4739.3, while the broader All Ordinaries advanced 31.7 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 4756.1.

The Australian share market posted a strong gain boosted by banks and miners on Tuesday after good lead from European markets and Wall Street. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 69.1 points, or 1.49 per cent, at 4704.2 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index surged 64.9 points, or 1.39 per cent, to 4724.4.

The Australian share market lost much of its early gains after NAB's surprise bid for the local and New Zealand assets of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings. Woodside's capital raising also gave the market a pullback. At the close, the local market was slightly higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 8.4 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 4670.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 13.5 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 4689.6 points.

The Australian sharemarket Tuesday closed higher in a quiet trading day as Dubai debt fears eased. The local market was also inspired by an earlier report about energy giant Exxon's US$30 billion takeover bid of XTO and the forecasts by the Australian government commodity forecaster ABARE for iron ore and coking coal exports. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 19.5 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 4673.5, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 19.6 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4687.8.