MARKETS

Is there life after a slump for Adelaide-based manufacturer Hills Industries?Judging by yesterday's full year result and...

Wheat prices at a two year high, copper hits a three month high, oil above $US81 a barrel, and other commodities such as...

Weak data and mixed earnings results at the consumer level took the gloss of Monday's rally last night. Dow down 38. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEST)

The Australian stock market has received a weak lead from Wall Street where dismal earnings and economic data put an end to the recent rally.

Organisations from Exxon to the Bill Gates Foundation have invested heavily in the race to produce biofuel from algae. One Australian company is ahead of the game, and is now in the process of an IPO.

We'd all like to believe the US economic recovery is becoming more solid and sustainable, but new insights this week offer a different picture.

The Australian market ended 0.7% higher with cyclical/risk sectors driving the gains but failed to challenge the 4600 level

Investor sentiment was boosted today by a positive lead from Wall Street, firmer commodity prices and the Reserve Bank's decision to leave interest rates on hold.

The market got off to a strong start today, but was pushed back and forth by the finance sector - some banks moving in and out of positive territory.

The Australian sharemarket looks likely to gain for the second straight day this week with the S&P/ASX 200 index up 0.3pct or 14.5pts to 4556.1 whilst the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) is gaining by 0.4pct or 17.7pts to 4572.1.

The materials, energy and finance sectors provided much of the power behind the local market's strong move this morning.

Sellers of yellow cake are hoping for higher prices but overall demand remains discretionary.

Amidst circulating reports that giant oil firm Royal Dutch Shell may be eyeing Nexus Energy Ltd (ASX: NXS) as a takeover target, the energy company’s shares saw a steep climb on Tuesday.

US markets started August with a bang, closing the session at 10-week highs after better-than-expected manufacturing data and some strong bank earnings out of Europe.

Last night saw a string of better-than-expected numbers lift confidence and encourage investors back into the market.

The AUD has had a strong night during the offshore session, currently trading comfortably above USD0.9100 after better than expected manufacturing data was released in the US and exceptional profit reports from some of Europe's main banks saw risk appetite back on the table.

US construction spending rose 0.1pct in June, better than forecasts centred on a decline of 0.5pct. The US ISM manufacturing index eased from 56.2 to 55.5 in July, better than forecasts centred on a reading of 54.1. Employment rose from 57.8 to 58.6.

U.S. stocks climbed Monday as encouraging data on industrial activity in the U.S. and Europe and better than expected earnings from European banks HSBC Holdings and BNP Paribas gave the market a strong start to the month of August.

The Australian Dollar continues to benefit from a weaker greenback and opens this morning buying 0.9136.

Not too negative data had Wall Street on the fly on thin volume last night with metal prices following suit. Dow up 208.

More confirmation yesterday that Chinese manufacturing slowed last month.But at the same time we had evidence that Austr...

Building products supplier, Crane Group has confirmed guidance and reported a sharp fall in net profit for 2010 finan...

Diversified investment company Argo Investments Ltd has posted a fall in annual net profit for the June 30 year, but o...

The Solomon Lew-controlled Premier Investments yesterday attempted to argue that it sees a significant improvement for i...

Retirement village group Aevum Limited has rejected an unsolicited takeover offer proposal from real estate group Stockl...

The Australian dollar opened more than half a US cent stronger as equity markets rallied and commodity prices surged overnight.

The Australian share market is expected to jump after it has received positive leads from offshore trading overnight.

The Australian share market has underperformed this year. Here's why. Also, there are good reasons why the year ahead might see the Australian market outperform.

The RBA's expectations for inflation ? which was contrary to most economists ? have come to pass to ensure rates remain on hold.