MARKETS

MARKET CLOSE - CommSec Report (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket has managed to end higher by the most modest of margins for the third time this week despite being around 0.4 pct lower at one point this morning.

(This story was originally published on 28th June 2011. It has now been re-published to make it available to non-paying members at FNArena and to readers elsewhere).

The Australian sharemarket is improving after a slow start to trade, following a solid employment report this morning. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) is currently flat. Almost all sectors are trading slightly lower at lunch however.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 56 points or 0.5% but the S&P added only 0.1% to 1339 and the Nasdaq gained 0.

Overnight, The Peoples Bank of China raised interest rates by 25 basis points, taking the one year lending rate to 6.56% and the one year deposit rate to 3.5%.

- Theme park operators starting to lift prices- First easing in competitive pressures since 2009- Move should be positive for earnings- Buy ratings dominate for both Ardent Leisure and Village RoadshowBy Chris ShawOn the Gold Coast, the two dominant theme park operators continue to push value bundle...

The multi-billion-dollar listings of QR National and Westfield Retail Trust on the Australian share market should be ignored in looking what was a weak financial year for public floats.

Global Markets Briefing from Craig James, CommSec Chief Economist: The US ISM services index eased from 54.6 to 53.3 in June, below forecasts centred on a result near 54.0. While employment rose slightly and prices paid eased, the new orders sub-component also fell.

The US ISM services index eased from 54.6 to 53.3 in June, below forecasts centred on a result near 54.0. While employment rose slightly and prices paid eased, the new orders sub-component also fell.

Here is IG Markets Global Markets Overview: (From Market Analyst Ben Potter) In the US overnight, the major indices finished the session modestly higher after traders shrugged off a weaker start amid largely negative news flow. China raised interest rates by 25 basis points, European banks slumped on contagion fears following the Portuguese rating downgrade and the US Services ISM number came in lower than expected.

The Australian sharemarket is a little lower at lunch, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 0.2 pct or 9.7 pts to 4647.2. Almost all sectors are trading in the red with some modest gains from the miners helping to minimise losses.

US factory orders rose by 0.8pct in May, just short of forecasts centred on a gain of 1.0pct. Orders for durable goods rose by 2.1pct.

By Greg PeelThe Dow lost 12 points or 0.1% while the S&P fell 0.1% to 1337 and the Nasdaq added 0.4%.In yesterday's Asian session, ratings agency Moody's warned that having examined Beijing's audit of Chinese local government debt exposures it had potentially found significant discrep...

By Greg PeelAs Australia's economic data have bounced around recently and global issues have created uncertainty, economists have to-ed and fro-ed with their expectations of the timing of another RBA rate rise.

Australia is seen to post modest gains on Wednesday's trading day. Here's a first look at the markets as it opens today:

By Greg PeelEuropean stock markets continued the upward push last night, responding to Friday's strength on Wall Street and the agreement by EU officials to rubber stamp the release of the E12bn tranche of funds for Greece on the weekend.

Non-bank margins may be unviable as a result of the government's ban on exit fees, Aussie CEO Stephen Porges has claimed.

With thin market conditions last night due to the US Independence Day Holiday, the AUD is fairly unchanged this morning currently trading around USD1.0730.

- The uranium spot price is under pressure once more- Excess supply is expected in the medium term post Fukushima- Goldman Sachs does not nevertheless see a longer term Chernobyl impactBy Greg PeelAt end-May, the global spot uranium price indicator as derived by industry consultant TradeTech had ris...

The U.S. dollar was modestly lower in holiday-thinned trade Monday as the euro brushed aside concerns triggered by Standard & Poor's warning on Greece's debt. Standard & Poor's warning that a debt rollover plan for Greece would be akin to a default rattled markets and negated the positive momentum seen after euro-zone ministers approved funding for Greece this past weekend.

A stress test conducted by the European insurance regulator, EIOPA, has revealed that 10pct of European insurers would need to raise fresh capital in the event of a severe economic shock.

A big week for most markets, especially in the US where a relief rally saw the best gains in two years and European markets had their best week in a year.

The HIA has forecast a "chill wind" for residential building activity over the next year.

U.S. stocks surged Friday, notching the biggest weekly gain in nearly two years, as a strong reading of manufacturing activity lifted investor spirits ahead of the long holiday weekend.

FNArena has added another video to its Investors Education section on the website.Risk assets have done it tough since late April.

(This story was originally written and published on Wednesday, 29th June 2011. It has bee re-published to make it available to non-paying members at FNArena and to readers elsewhere).

Greece seems to be behind us, but the US debt ceiling brawl continues towards the August 2 deadline.

The US ISM manufacturing index rose unexpectedly from 53.5 to 55.3 in June - marking the first rise in four months.

A week ago, the AMP's chief strategist and chief economist, Dr Shane Oliver, re-examined the Wall of Worry that confronts markets and investors.