MARKETS

Local stocks recorded another modest gain today, with mining stocks managing to outweigh falls from the banks.

APRA Chairman John Laker ensures covered bonds do not jeopardize depositors' interest

Local stocks are trading flat at lunchtime in the East, with losses from the banks offsetting gains from mining stocks.

The AUD has risen over a cent during the offshore session, currently trading around USD0.9950, with a combination of factors affecting its leap back towards parity.

The Australian Dollar rallied offshore to a monthly high as global equities and commodities soared after China refrained from raising interest rates.

U.S. stocks rose Monday after China elected not to raise interest rates and as Democrats anticipated the tax agreement would pass in the Senate.

The OECD leading indicator for 29 countries lifted from 102.5 to 102.6 in October with activity accelerating in the US, China and France but easing slightly in Germany and Japan.

The Australian share market was driven marginally higher by the big four banks and miners.

A day after the government announced its proposed reforms to the financial system, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens warned that the government should be careful in its attempts to promote competition in the banking sector.

Local stocks eked out a small gain today, but came off earlier highs due to falls from regional lenders and a flat finish from index leader BHP Billiton (BHP).

Local stocks have kick started the trading week on a strong note, thanks to a positive offshore lead.

Australian iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) today priced its previously announced offering of senior unsecured notes.

The Australian Dollar has opened today where it closed on Friday evening in the mid .9800’s as the fears that China would raise interest rates to cool down their fast expanding economy did not eventuate.

The US trade deficit narrowed from US$44.6bn to US$38.7bn in October and was below expectations for a US$44.5bn shortfall.

Little movement was felt during Asia as the Aussie remain bound between 0.9830-0.9860 against the US Dollar as traders prepared for China’s release of economic data over the weekend.

U.S. blue chip stocks posted their biggest gains of the week Friday, closing out a quiet week buoyed modestly by brighter economic data.

The local share market closed flat today, as losses from the miners offset gains made in financial stocks.

The Australian share market has coasted to a flat close as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of key economic data due out of China.

The local share market closed flat today, as losses from the miners offset gains made in financial stocks.

Construction materials specialist James Hardie Industries SE (ASX: JHX) announced today its chief executive, Mr Louis Gries, sold 148,000 James Hardie shares on 9 December 2010.

Local stocks are tracking sideways in early trade following a flat offshore lead.

The Australian Dollar has opened firmer this morning, to be trading just under the USD0.9850 level, after receiving a boost from yesterday’s jobs data.

U.S. blue chip stocks slipped Thursday as mixed corporate news overshadowed an encouraging weekly jobs report.

New US claims for unemployment insurance (jobless claims) fell by 17,000 last week to 421,000.

The Aussie rallied quite sharply on Thursday hitting an intraday high of 0.9880 on the back of stronger-than-expected jobs data.

Former Astarra Director Shawn Richard faces jail term as he pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonest conduct in his financial services business.

U.S. stocks flitted in and out of negative territory as surging financial stocks outweighed declines in the materials sector.

Local stocks rallied to one month highs today as stronger than expected jobs data boosted investor sentiment.

Local stocks are recovering from yesterday’s losses thanks to strength from the key blue chip players.