MARKETS

The Aussie continues to be on the back foot against the Greenback as a raft of positive releases Stateside indicated that the US economy is heading in the right direction and the that F.O.M.C. will continue with QE2 over the next several months.

The Aussie began local trade yesterday flirting with parity, however a greater than expected drop in Building Approvals and ongoing flood concerns saw levels plunge down to 0.9945 by early afternoon.

The Australian dollar continued to drift lower overnight as investors remained sidelined ahead of US employment numbers being released tonight.

U.S. stocks were mostly lower Thursday as retail and telecommunications shares lagged and euro zone debt worries prompted some investors to step back from the market's recent surge.

US comparable chain store sales rose 3.1pct in December from a year earlier, according to the International Council of Shopping Centres.

Commodities bounced back in the U.S. upon release of better than expected December employment figures and good performance in the service industries, reflecting better economic prospects and growth in the demand for industrial, crops and energy.

Local stocks had another volatile day’s trade, but managed to close in positive territory today, thanks to some late buying in mining companies.

The Australian bond market weakened on Thursday’s opening as US employment data improved.

Local stocks are once again underperforming European and US markets, with the Australian bourse flat at lunchtime in the East.

The Australian dollar has fallen back below parity this morning following strong buying of the USD overnight.

U.S. stocks are poised to start the year with a third straight day of gains as encouraging data from the labor market and service sector point to a firming economic recovery.

The Australian dollar slumped against the Greenback for the third consecutive day as economic effects of flooding in North Queensland start to come into question.

The US services sector grew at its fastest pace in more than four years in December.

Private equity firm TA Associates announced today the completion of the investment made by its private equity funds and subordinated debt funds (collectively, "TA") in Evanston Capital Management, LLC, an established institutional hedge fund-of-funds manager.

The Australian share market has closed lower with mining and energy stocks losing ground in thin and directionless trade after commodity markets took a hit overnight.

Local stocks fell into the red today, underperforming a stellar gain on London's FTSE Index and a quarter of a percent win on the Dow Jones Index.

Starting January 3, 2011, Fairholme Allocation Fund (FAAFX) will be part of the list of options for investors.

Local stocks are trading in the red today, following a muted lead from Wall Street and a sharp fall in oil and gold prices.

The AUD has opened lower this morning, retreating from its recent highs it struck over the New Year’s break.

US factory orders rose by 0.7pct in November, beating forecasts centred on a decline of 0.1pct.

U.S. blue chip stocks edged higher Tuesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting showed the central bank registered moderate improvement in the economy and saw no reason to modify its major bond buying program.

A fall in equities, gold and oil has seen the Australian Dollar slip against the Greenback as investors flock back to safety.

Pursuant to an undertaking entered into with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Power Balance Australia has posted a corrective advertisement withdrawing its earlier claim regarding their product’s boosting effects on a person’s strength, balance, and flexibility.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is set to buy a new surveillance system early this year for better market governance.

Trade publication HFN reported that by end of 2010, hedge funds assets under management reached $US2.4 trillion after raking in a total of $US79.5 billion in the last 11 months from metal and emerging market ventures.

Local stocks closed flat on the first trading day of 2011, under-performing US stocks which rose to fresh two year highs during Monday’s session.

The Australian share market closed flat on its first day of trade for 2011 as the materials sector continued to lead the index early in The Australian share market closed flat on its first day of trade for 2011 as the materials sector continued to lead the index early in the new year. the new year.

Local stocks are trading flat at lunchtime in the East, following a volatile start to the trading year.

With insider trading forming the crux of the current Federal Bureau of Investigation’s probe on hedge funds, financial firms begin to be wary of the once highly sought-after “ expert consultations” offered by expert network service providers.