The Australian share market opened lower on Friday as metals prices fell. Wall Street has provided a flat lead to the local market. Yesterday the Asian markets widely surged as investors were inspired by the US economic data. The Australian stocks snapped a three-day losing streak and posted a strong 2.4 per cent gain at the close.
The Australian shares opened higher on Thursday after the better-than-expected economic data in the euro zone inspired the US and Europe markets. Asian stocks in early trade were broadly up on the good offshore leads. Australia's S&P/ASX200 index climbed over 0.9 per cent at opening.
Australian shares extended their losses today as the debt issues in Euro zone continued to perplex the global stock markets. The Australian stocks joined the slump in Asian region this morning with a 1.4 per cent fall in S&P/ASX200 index at opening. Japan's Nikkei 225 shed more than 3 per cent in early trade, after the market closed for public holiday for three days.
Swedish mobile network equipment maker Telefon AB LM Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has bought Nortel's controlling stake in LG-Nortel, a joint venture between Nortel Networks and LG Electronics Inc. (SEO:066570). Nortel will sell its 50 per cent plus one share stake in LG-Nortel to Ericsson for US$242 million in Cash subject to certain purchase price adjustments.
Asian markets opened flat this morning while Wall Street overnight closed with little change after the US central bank's minutes eased concerns over rate hike. Yesterday Australian stock market touched an 18-month high despite the Reserve Bank of Australia raised official rate by 25 basis points. Japan's Nikkei 225 Tuesday dropped 0.5 per cent on profit-taking selling. China's Shanghai Composite was nearly unchanged while Hong Kong market was closed for public holiday.
Monday Wall Street rose as higher commodities prices boosted energy and mining companies. The US markets also received support from positive consumer spending in February. Asian markets closed mixed yesterday. Chinese stocks rallied as China said it plans to launch the long expected stock-index future in April 16. Shanghai Composite jumped 2.1 per cent to a two month high, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 0.9 per cent. South Korea's Kospi Composite was 0.3 per cent lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.1 per cent.
Overnight the Wall Street was stronger after the bill overhauling the US healthcare system was passed. Asian stock markets were mostly lower on Monday as Reserve Bank of India unexpectedly increased the official interest rate by 25 basis points. The Indian central bank's move has raised fears of an earlier-than-expected rate hike in China. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.05 per cent and South Korea's Kospi was down 0.8 per cent. But Shanghai composite edged 0.2 per cent higher. Japanese markets, which were closed for public holiday yesterday, resume trading on Tuesday.
