MARKETS

From IG Markets Analyst Ben Potter:On Wall Street overnight, stock finished the quarter and end of the first half in bullish fashion, logging its fourth consecutive gain as Greece passed a second crucial vote on the implementation of the latest austerity package and a much stronger-than-expected Chicago PMI number.

The MPA Brokers on Non-Banks survey, proudly sponsored by Advantedge Financial Services, closes next Monday 4th July and this year's prize could provide a welcome fillip to your business.

U.S. stocks advanced, as investors cheered a Greek austerity package and financial stocks jumped following a major settlement on mortgage backed securities.

The Greek parliament has approved an austerity package that opens the door for an injection of emergency bail-out funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

After a slow start to the month, the Australian sharemarket is gaining for the third straight day with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 1.4 pct or 63.6 pts to 4643.4.

- Valuation only one variable for airline stocks- Moelis suggests a number of other factors are also important- Stockbroker initiates coverage on both Qantas and Virgin Blue with Hold ratingsBy Chris ShawFor some time both Qantas ((QAN)) and Virgin Blue ((VBA)) have received favourable ratings from ...

By Tony D'Altorio, Investment U ResearchWednesday, June 29, 2011Surely, many American investors are bewildered by what's going on in Europe.

Transpacific Industries justified its ranking as one of the worst performing big stocks of the June half yesterday with a huge and surprising write-down that could reach a quarter of a billion dollars.

Good and bad news for Japan's recovery in the industrial production and retail sales data for May, released this week.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 72 points or 0.6% while the S&P gained 0.8% to 1307 and the Nasdaq added 0.

Amid rising public protest and violence in the streets of Athens, Greece's parliament overnight approved a deeply unpopular 28 billion euro austerity package that will, for the time being see the country avoid default.

Australian First Mortgage has appointed a former PLAN Australia state manager as its national head of sales.

Blue-chip stocks posted their biggest gain in more than two months, as signs of progress in Greece's debt crisis sparked a broad market rally.

According to the Case-Shiller series, US home prices fell 0.1pct in seasonally adjusted terms to be down 4.0pct lower than a year ago. Prices rose by 0.7pct in unadjusted terms.

Small businesses in Australia should brace for more pain this coming financial year, the ANZ warns in its latest report released on Wednesday as the power of a stronger dollar and the lure of the Internet marketing on Australian consumers will continue to weigh down on sales.

As world-wide fans give much regard to their virtual farms, pets, mafia gangs, game creator Zynga has deemed it necessary to cast $1 billion international public offering (IPO) tomorrow, 30 June.

By Alexander Green, Investment U's Chief Investment StrategistMonday, June 27, 2011: Issue #1543Here are three easy ways to beat the market: Deception, irrelevance and bad math.

ASIC loved the Centro decision by the Federal Court on Monday and of course, the Centro directors who were found guilty didn't like it.

Another multi-billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas project is approaching the starting line, taking the value of the projects so far approved to well over $100 billion, with a couple of more mega projects to come.

That's why the continuing outflow of money from Greece's banks is becoming more of a worry.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 145 points or 1.2% while the S&P gained 1.3% to 1296 and the Nasdaq added 1.5%.

As the decision in the Greek Parliament approaches, a senior official at the RBA says there are few parallels between Lehman Brother's collapse in September 2008 and Greece, should it default.

One of these was retail investment company, Premier Investments, controlled by Solomon Lew, which revealed a number of senior management appointments (from other retailers) to the Just Group.

Interim management has become one of the fastest growing areas of HR and a new study of over 250 interim executives has provided an insight into who's taking these roles in Australia.

More problems for the troubled Oakajee iron ore port and rail project proposed for the Western Australian Midwest, with one of the two developers revealing money-raising problems.

At lunch the Australian share market is having a much better day, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) around 0.4 pct or 19.7 pts higher to 4533.5. Close to all sectors are higher, with gains from the banks and miners helping to keep the market in positive territory.

By Greg PeelAt the end of May it was confirmed that trading company Traxys had agreed to acquire the entire 5.

U.S. stocks closed sharply higher Monday, snapping a three day losing streak, as the technology sector surged and financial stocks jumped on banking capital requirements that were less onerous than expected.

- NAB updates commodity market outlook- Base metals and bulk prices should remain supported this year but ease in 2012- Oil price expected to stabilise, modest decline likely in gold priceBy Chris ShawAn easing in most non-rural commodity prices in May has been followed by subdued price growth in Ju...