Global markets slid overnight, on the back of a deepening European debt crisis. Borrowing costs in Europe continued to rise, keeping investors at bay and causing heightened risk aversion. A euro-area official was reported as saying there are no plans for aid for Italy from the EFSF, and the Super Committee talks in the US have reportedly stalled with less than a week until the deadline to propose a plan to cut the deficit. Everything just seems to be going wrong at the same time.

Among the major averages, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.1% to end at 11771. The S&P shed 1.7% to close at 1216 and the NASDAQ dropped 2% to finish at 2588. The losses in US markets came despite yet another round of strong US economic data. Unemployment claims dropped and builders started work on more homes than expected in October.

Earlier this week we highlighted we could see a break out of the consolidation pattern on the S&P, and the start of a new trend. Last night's move shows we may have seen it now, with further downside favoured over the short to medium term. The losses accelerated as soon as the S&P broke below this consolidation pattern. Most risk assets struggled overnight, with the selling extending to commodities and risk currencies. Oil gave up its previous night's gains and is now back under the US$100 per barrel level. Precious metals tumbled, with gold dropping around 2% and silver slipping over 7% overnight. As a result, the resource stocks are in for a tough session.

The strong US building permits data confirms some of the comments we received from James Hardie yesterday regarding the consistency and stabilising demand in the US economy. JHX and other currency prone stocks will get some relief from a weaker Aussie dollar, as AUD/USD slipped below parity overnight. Traders will be watching the pair, which has been in a short-term downtrend, for some trading opportunities. We are currently calling the Aussie market down 1.5% at 4194.

Market

Price at 8:30am AEST

Change Since Australian Market Close

Percentage Change

AUD/USD

0.9994

-0.0103

-1.02%

ASX (cash)

4194

-64

-1.50%

US DOW (cash)

11777

-143

-1.20%

US S&P (cash)

1218.0

-20

-1.58%

UK FTSE (cash)

5365

-106

-1.94%

German DAX (cash)

5792

-40

-0.69%

Japan 225 (cash)

8373

-99

-1.17%

Rio Tinto Plc (London)

33.24

-1.22

-3.54%

BHP Billiton Plc (London)

19.07

-0.54

-2.78%

BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR (US) (AUD)

36.12

-0.92

-2.48%

US Light Crude Oil (Jan)

98.95

-3.36

-3.28%

Gold (spot)

1721.0

-42

-2.35%

Aluminium (London)

2094.00

-63

-2.92%

Copper (London)

7540.00

-190

-2.46%

Nickel (London)

18150.00

10

0.06%

Zinc (London)

1927.00

-33

-1.68%

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

42.00

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.

Please contact IG Markets if you require market commentary or the latest dealing price.