Global markets extended their losses overnight on renewed concerns over the European crisis. News that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced a referendum to approve a second EU bailout deal for the country rattled investors. Should the referendum be defeated, all the work put in by European leaders to save the region would have been undone. It could lead to a disorderly default in Greece and bank failures across Europe.

Among the major averages, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 2.5% to end at 11658. The S&P slumped 2.8% to close at 1218, while the NASDAQ declined 2.9% to close at 2607.

The losses in Europe were even worse as the CAC and DAX dropped over 5% each. The market paid little attention to a gauge of US manufacturing in October, which fell to 50.8 from 51.6 in September.

Latest reports have suggested that George Papandreou has been summoned by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to emergency talks to discuss the eurozone's position on the eve of the G20 summit. The two are determined to ensure the implementation without delay of the decisions adopted at the eurozone summit. News of the referendum has already done a lot of damage to confidence, as rates on 10-year Italian and French debt touched euro-era records above German debt.

Financial stocks were the hardest hit overnight, as investors renewed their focus on Europe's financial crisis. This is likely to result in a tough day for our financial heavyweights. Commodities also suffered the same fate on the back of China's weaker-than-expected manufacturing PMI numbers, which will likely hurt our resource sector. Our financials and resources heavy index is in for a tough day on this premise. Having said that, the headline risk is still very high and any news out of Europe could sway the market in any direction.

In light of last night's steep losses, we are currently calling the Aussie market down 1.1% at 4188. Westpac released its FY11 results this morning. Its cash earnings rose 7% to $6.3 billion, roughly in line with analyst expectations. Locally, traders will be on the lookout for building approvals numbers, due out at 11.30am. It is a big night in the US with the FOMC meeting set to take place. Investors will be looking for more clarity regarding a potential QE3.

Market

Price at 7:30am AEST

Change Since Australian Market Close

Percentage Change

AUD/USD

1.0328

-0.0112

-1.07%

ASX (cash)

4188

-45

-1.06%

US DOW (cash)

11748

-154

-1.29%

US S&P (cash)

1229.7

-13

-1.07%

UK FTSE (cash)

5449

-37

-0.67%

German DAX (cash)

5876

-193

-3.18%

Japan 225 (cash)

8756

-103

-1.16%

Rio Tinto Plc (London)

32.53

-1.32

-3.90%

BHP Billiton Plc (London)

19.15

-0.53

-2.67%

BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR (US) (AUD)

36.60

-0.17

-0.46%

US Light Crude Oil (Dec)

91.58

-0.83

-0.90%

Gold (spot)

1720.2

1

0.04%

Aluminium (London)

2119.00

-87

-3.94%

Copper (London)

7753.00

-173

-2.18%

Nickel (London)

18600.00

-804

-4.14%

Zinc (London)

1917.00

-33

-1.69%

RBA Cash Rate to be decreased by 25bp (Dec) (%)

28.00

0

0.00%

IG Markets provides round-the-clock CFD trading on currencies, indices and commodities. The levels quoted in this email are the latest tradeable price for each market. The net change for each market is referenced from the corresponding tradeable level at yesterday's close of the ASX. These levels are specifically tailored for the Australian trader and take into account the 24hr nature of global markets.

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