Australian Stock Market Report - Midday
Local stocks have followed global markets into the red today, on worries Europe's debt crisis could worsen.
Financial stocks which performed well yesterday, are all trading lower, with the ANZ (ANZ) off 1pct to $35.25. Shares in Westpac (WBC) are trading down 0.6pct to $21.43.
Mining stocks have fallen into the red, not helped out by weaker metals trade in London overnight. Shares in BHP Billiton (BHP) are lower by 0.8pct to $42.90 while Rio Tinto (RIO) is down 1.3pct to $82.76.
Energy players are generally positive, with shares in Santos (STO) up 1.4pct to $12.54.
Telstra (TLS) is down 0.7pct to $2.82.
In the healthcare sector, CSL Limited (CSL) is weaker by 0.6pct to $35.02.
In economic data today, building approvals rose 9.3pct in October, while Australia's current account deficit widened to $7.83 billion in 3Q 2010.
The Australian dollar is worth US96.41c, £0.6198 and €73.51c.