Australian Economy

Australian Market Report of December 22: A Flat Week Expected

🕔12/22/2008 1:00:13 PM

On Friday, the Australian market closed marginally higher with rise on most sectors except energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 34.5 points, or 0.96 per cent, at 3,615.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 25.5 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 3,547.2. Low trading volumes are expected this week.

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Australian Market Report of December 19: Pre-Christmas Not Really Quiet

🕔12/19/2008 1:00:28 PM

Yesterday the Australian shares ended flat as weaker Commonwealth Bank and energy stocks weighed on the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 10.6 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3,581.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 6.7 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 3,521.7. It could be fairly quiet during the pre-Christmas sessions. But the local market may be hit by the dropping commodities prices and the fears on US auto industry as US government has admitted that orderly bankruptcy can be one of the options for the troubled automakers.

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Australian Market Report of December 18: Bank's Confidence Hit

🕔12/18/2008 1:00:34 PM

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.

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Australian Market Report of December 17: To Soar on US Record Rate Cut

🕔12/17/2008 1:00:41 PM

Yesterday Australian shares closed lower as almost all sectors were down. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 35.2 points, or 0.98 per cent, at 3556.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 36.8 points, or 1.04 per cent, at 3,498.9 points. Telecom sector continued to lose on Telstra's failure to submit an adequate tender for the national broadband network.

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Australian Market Report of December 16: Mixed Leads from the US and Commodities

🕔12/16/2008 1:00:24 PM

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.

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Australian Market Report of December 15: Doubts over Car Maker Bailout

🕔12/15/2008 1:00:46 PM

The Australian stock market closed more than two per cent lower on Friday following weakness in United States markets caused by doubts over a rescue package for US car makers. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had fallen 87.6 points, or 2.43 per cent, to 3,510.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 81.7 points, or 2.31 per cent, to 3,452.5. As the US Senate's rejected the $14-billion bailout for American automotive makers, the stock market is expected to continue moving downward on the negative news.

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Australian Market Report of December 12: Uncertainty over US Carmakers Rescue

🕔12/12/2008 1:00:10 PM

Yesterday the Australian shares ended lower as traders looked to make short-term gains, despite a positive start in the morning. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index yesterday lost 1.2%, or 42.7 points, to 3598, while the All Ordinaries index shed 1.1%, or 39.1 points, to 3534.2. But today resource stocks may gain after commodity prices advanced.

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