ENERGY

There is no stopping Australia’s resources boom and it appears that investors are racing to cash-in on the surging profits projected from mining activities, according to the latest figures issued on Friday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Chevron Australia Pty Ltd announced that it received environmental approval of its Wheatstone LNG Project from the Western Australian Minister for the Environment and is now waiting for approval from the Federal Government.

Suzlon Energy Australia has announced plans to invest $1.3 billion to put up a 600 megawatt wind project on the Yorke Peninsula, according to Premier Mike Rann.

The Australian Coal Association (ACA) on Tuesday has questioned the results of the Grattan Institute research on the impact of the proposed carbon tax on the coal, LNG and steel industries.

A not-for-profit national organisation dedicated to promoting the use of solar energy in Australia today called for all components of the Clean Energy Future package to be passed into law by the end of 2011.

Leading oil refiner Caltex Australia Ltd.'s marketing outlook remains positive in the second half after marketing delivered strong results in the first half with total fuel volumes up 4.3 percent year-on-year.

OneSteel announced on Monday (August 22) that it has forged an agreement with WPG Resources Limited (WPG), acquiring the latter's iron ore assets in northern South Australia for $346 million.

Resource giant BHP Billiton says it will spend US$437 million to expand the Cerrejon Coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket lost ground for the second time this week, with the ASX 200 index (XJO) falling 1.2 pts or 52.7 pts to 4251.2 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) dropped 1.2 pct or 52.4 pts to 4319.4. This takes the falls for August so far to 4 pct.

Silex Solar, the only Australian company which manufactures solar cells, will continue to manufacture solar panels at its Sydney Olympic Park plant. ABC earlier reported the company will stop making the cells at its western Sydney facility due to the "very tough market".

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket pulled back in the second half of trade to wipe out a portion of yesterday's stellar gains. The ASX 200 index (XJO) fell 0.8 pct or 35.6 pts to 4247.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) dropped 0.7 pct or 29.5 pts to 4317.3.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The ASX 200 index (XJO) rose 2.6 pct or 110.3 pts to 4282.9 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) is up 2.6 pct or 108.9 pts to 4346.8. All sectors managed to post solid gains today, with the energy and mining sectors leading the way.

While Washington was busy holding the global markets hostage and placing billions in badly needed R&D funding on the chopping block, a new report from REN21

It was another interesting session on the Australian share market, as investors reacted to fresh sovereign debt worries out of Europe and a surprise rise in the local unemployment rate. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 1.5pct on open, outperforming near 5pct losses witnessed on Wall Street overnight.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)Well after the strangest of days for the Australian market yesterday, shares locally improved strongly for the second consecutive day. The ASX 200 index (XJO) rose 2.6 pct or 106.5 pts to 4141.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) jumped 2.7 pct or 110.7 pts to 4207.4. This takes the gains for the week to just under 1 pct so far.

MIDDAY REPORT (12.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket is gaining for the second straight day, with the All Ordinaries index up 2.9 pct or 117.1 pts to 4213.8. Almost all sectors are higher with the exception of the property trusts, which are slightly lower at lunch.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket had a dramatic trading Tuesday as stocks staged an amazing comeback with the ASX 200 index (XJO) up 1.2 pct or 48.7 pts to 4034.8 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) rose 1 pct or 40 pts to 4096.7.

MIDDAY REPORT (12.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket is currently trading at its lowest level since July 2009, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 4.5 pct or 181.4 pts to 3875.3. The major U.S and European markets tumbled significantly overnight, leaving us with a negative lead too difficult to shrug off.

AFTERNOON REPORT (5.20pm AEST)Stocks around the Asian region fell further into the red today as investors reacted to the decision by ratings agency Standard and Poor's to downgrade the long-term credit rating of the United States from AAA to AA+. Investors and traders remained on edge despite the Group of Seven industrial nations pledging a coordinated effort to ensure financial markets have enough liquidity.

AFTERNOON REPORT- CLOSING (4.30pm AEST)The Australian share market fell to a two year low today, as global markets were heavily sold off on fears of a renewed global economic slowdown. US markets posted their biggest one day decline in two and a half years overnight while the local market had its worst one day fall since January 2009. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) shed 183.2pts or 4.2pct to 4169.7. The All Ords closed at a level of 4097 on the 24th July 2009.

AFTERNOON REPORT (12pm AEST)The Australian share market has fallen to its lowest level since July 2009 in early trade. Overnight European share markets slumped to 11 month lows on continued worries about European sovereign debt, while US stocks recorded their biggest one day decline in two and a half years. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 187.8pts or 4.3pct to 4165.1.

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)The local share market came under more selling pressure today, falling to 13 month lows as investors fretted over the health of the global economy and as a fall in tourism arrivals showed our strong dollar is continuing to have a negative impact on parts of our economy. Key US jobs data due out tomorrow night also kept many out of the market, with institutional buyers not willing to commit until it's clear how many jobs the world's biggest economy added i...

Australia's biggest gold producer Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) has reported that nine of its staff were killed in a helicopter incident in Indonesia on Wednesday.

Low-cost solar power is increasingly becoming the focus of solar-cell manufacturers, new research shows.

US StocksU.S. stocks fell Friday and posted the biggest weekly decline in a year, as a blur of debt-ceiling developments left the market uncertain over the course of Washington's deadlocked negotiations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 96.87 points, or 0.79%, at 12143.24, in a volatile session that extended the index's losing streak to six straight sessions. All but two of the 30 Dow components finished in the red.

MORNING REPORT (7am AEST)The US economy grew at a 1.3pct annual pace in the June quarter, weaker than forecasts centred on a gain of 1.8pct. In addition March quarter GDP growth was revised down from 1.9pct to 0.4pct.

MIDDAY REPORT (11.45am AEST)The local share market is slightly weaker at lunchtime in the East, as the stalemate over the US debt crisis continues. A vote on the Republican plan to raise the US debt ceiling in the House of Representatives has been delayed. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 7.6pts or 0.2pct to 4531.6.

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Ongoing concerns about the US debt crisis saw markets around the Asian region heavily sold off again today. Investors remain concerned that even if US lawmakers come to an agreement over the raising of the debt ceiling, the US could still have its AAA credit rating downgraded. Japan's Nikkei index eased by 1.6pct today while the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 73.4pts or 1.6pct to 4539.2 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) eased by 73.6pts or 1.6pct to 4463.8....

Origin Energy Limited (ASX: ORG) and American partner ConocoPhillips has announced the approval of the $20 billion funding required in its liquefied gas project in Australia that targets to supply the Asian Region.