MARKETS

Today's statement released by the RBA suggests the reserve bank is happy to sit on the sidelines and to stay there.

While investor fears have weighed on oil prices in recent months Barclays Capital notes the demand picture has continued to improve, supporting the group's view prices are headed higher.

The Australia 200 CFD Index closed 0.4% softer at 4222.1, with industrial and consumer staples names detracting most of the points.

The Australian dollar moved up ending a five-day drop against other currencies, as Asian stocks advanced and signs the nation's labour market is improving enticed demand for higher-yielding assets.

A snapshot of economist responses to today's TD Securities inflation gauge and ANZ's job ads survey.

Crude oil futures plunged for a fifth consecutive session today, recording the steepest weekly decline since early May.

The Australian share market is currently posting some modest gains with the S&P/ASX 200 index currently flat. Our miners are mostly stronger with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials index up just over 0.5pct or 59pts to 11316.6.

Asian stocks jumped at mid-day trading, lifting the MSCI Asia Pacific Index higher for the first time in five days, as takeover news of two Australian companies and a weaker yen boosted the outlook for Japan's exporters raised the appetite of investors.

There remain mixed views on the outlook for oil prices, with ANZ Bank identifying some short-term downside risks but Barclays and Commonwealth Bank remaining positive on medium-term prospects.

A nasty week that hopefully is not going to be a precursor on more to come.Markets in the US suffered falls of 3% to mor...

A nasty week that hopefully is not going to be a precursor of more to come.Markets in the US and around the globe suffer...

One day's fall doesn't usually mean much, but last Thursday's $US40 plunge in gold prices has worried a lot of people.Go...

One day's fall doesn't usually mean much, but last Thursday's $US40 plunge in gold prices has worried a lot of people.Go...

Friday's close on the sharemarket was probably the best immediate reaction to the new mining tax deal announced earlier ...

The Reserve Bank won't touch rates tomorrow.Nor will the European Central Bank or the Bank of England which also hold in...

The Reserve Bank won't touch rates tomorrow.Nor will the European Central Bank or the Bank of England which also hold in...

The US market retreated modestly during Friday's session as the much anticipated non-farm payrolls came in weaker than expected. It showed total job losses of 125,000, roughly 10,000 worse than what the market had been expecting.

US non-farm payrolls (employment) fell by 125,000 in June, above forecasts for a decline of 100,000 workers.

The Australian share market is expected to open lower today after weak employment growth in the US cause fears about the strength of the world's largest economy.

U.S. stocks fell Friday, with General Electric, Caterpillar and 3M among the decliners following disappointing reports on U.S. employment and factory orders.

The US, Europe, China and Japan might be slowing, but India is booming, or so it seems after Friday's unexpected interes...

February taught us not all healthcare stocks are the same. What is the situation prior to August?

The Australia 200 CFD Index finished the session flat at 4238, with industrial strength offsetting material and energy weakness.

BA Merrill Lynch has initiated coverage on PanAust with a Buy rating, attracted to the combination of leverage to copper prices and production growth going forward.

Motorola announced on Thursday that the company would be divided into two separate entities by next year, with one division focusing on handset developments and the other training its attention on professional safety equipments.

A brief look at important company events and economic data releases next week.

U.S. stocks fell Thursday, with Bank of America, General Electric and Intel among the decliners, as disappointing data on the U.S. housing and job markets sparked concerns over the pace of the economic recovery.

This morning's dramatic changes made by the government to the RSPT is a huge win for Australia's biggest industry and should go a long way to easing the markets concerns.

The Australian currency opened higher this morning as data signalling a slack off in the US economic recovery undermined the American dollar.