MARKETS

By Sean Brodrick, Resource Strategist, The Oxford ClubThey say that a bell never rings at the top and the bottom of the market.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaThis is it Folks! The fact that you are reading this story means FNArena has written and published its final story for 2013.

By Mitchell Clark, B.CommIt's less than two weeks prior to the Christmas break, and with the New Year on the horizon, that means it's time to sit down and really re-evaluate your portfolio.

By Evan Lucas, Market Strategist IG MarketsGood MorningDovish taper hawkish surprise from the FedThe market finally got its wish from September for a dovish token taper of $10 billion split evenly over mortgage-backed securities and treasuries.

Australian stocks finished slightly weaker today, as investors elected to remain on the sidelines until the US Federal Reserve delivers the outcome of its two day policy meeting.

The All Ordinaries Index opened higher by 4 points but quickly fell away and by lunch time the All Ords had recovered lost ground. The volumes on the market have been light as investors prepare for what will be a long wait ahead of tomorrow's outcome from the Fed's 2 day policy meeting. By 6am AEDT tomorrow we will know the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting. Tomorrow could see trading volumes back to normal levels. So far today trading levels are around 60% of the average rate. Overni...

Trade in the US remains very cautious, and so quiet you can hear the wind blowing through the trader stalls as tomorrow morning's announcement from the FOMC inches closer.

In US economic news, consumer prices were flat in November but the core rate (excludes food and energy) rose by 0.2%, just ahead of forecasts of a 0.1% gain. The current account deficit narrowed from US$96.61 billion to a 4-year low of US$94.84 billion. Chain store sales were up 2.9% in the latest week on a year ago, compared with 2.6% in the previous week. And the NAHB housing market index rose from 54 to 58 in December.

Local stocks closed higher today for only the third time this month, although the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished off the day's highs.

December hasn't been very kind for investors so far, however local stocks are moving higher at lunchtime in the East, following a positive offshore lead.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck"Extremely quiet" is the operative label that stands out from industry consultant TradeTech's weekly update on the spot uranium market.

As the global markets continue to look towards Thursday morning's announcement from the FOMC, Australian investors will be watching two very interesting public policy papers that are released today.

In US economic news, industrial production rose by 1.1% in November ahead of market forecasts centred on a 0.5% gain. The Markit ´´flash´´ manufacturing gauge eased from 54.7 to 54.4 in December, short of the 55.0 forecast. The Empire State manufacturing index lifted from minus 2.21 to +0.98 in December, but this was short of the +4.75 forecast. And overall net capital inflows to the US totalled US$194.9 billion in October compared with outflows of US$106.8 billion in September.

By Evan Lucas, Market Strategist IG MarketsGood MorningThe meaning is in the detail for the AUDAs the global markets continue to look towards Thursday morning's announcement from the FOMC, Australian investors will be watching two very interesting public policy papers that are released today.

The Santa Claus rally is looking like more and more of a dream, with the Australian share market back in the red today despite Friday's gains.

Sellers had a breather on Friday. Although they have returned refreshed an invigorated on Monday. The Market sank by 39 points in early trade, a harbinger of the volatility that could be in store ahead of the Fed's FOMC mid week.

With eight days to Christmas and only six and a half trading days left of 2013, you would hope trade would be settling down as investors set and forget, and put their feet up and enjoy a summer holiday. However, this looks to be wishful thinking; the week ahead is packed full with market-moving material.

In US economic news, producer prices fell by 0.1% in November with the core rate (excludes food and energy) up 0.1%. The core rate was in line with expectations.

Greg Peel is on a well-deserved break until Monday, 13th January. This week, which is FNArena's final week before we all start enjoying a well-deserved break, we will borrow the Overnight Report from third party content providers.

The weekly closed last week on a downtrend for a fourth week. The market had another volatile week with a range of 178 points just below the previous week's 200 point range.

The Australian share market snapped its longest losing streak in 17 months today, rising for the first time in seven sessions despite a weak offshore lead.

The Fed meeting next week looms as the last market catalyst for 2013. The better economic news from the US has improved the odds, in the markets eyes at least, that the US central bank will taper Q.E this year. As A result bond yields have risen and stocks have fallen in the last 24 hours. At lunchtime on Friday an uneasy equilibrium was in place after sellers attempted to further their argument for a 7th consecutive session in early trade. At its worst levels the ASX 200 was at a 15 point defic...

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaI joined Twitter. Not because I am curious what this celebrity has to say about her kids, or to read that another one is waiting for a connecting flight, impatiently.

With the prospect of tapering only days to weeks away the effect on the global is starting to ramp up.

In US economic news, retail sales rose by 0.7%, ahead of forecasts for a gain of 0.6%. Excluding gasoline and autos, sales rose 0.6%. Import prices fell 0.6% in November while export prices rose 0.1%. And claims for unemployment benefits rose by 68,000 to 368,000, well ahead of forecasts for a rise to 320,000. The Labor Department said that a late Thanksgiving affected seasonal adjustment of the data.

By Ashley JessenASX Top Gainers & Losers plus Market Snapshot - 13 December 2013Despite negative leads from overseas and a shaky start to our trading session, the local S&P/ASX200 actually managed to put a halt on the seriously oversold conditions, coming off six straight down days to post a gain of...

Miramax filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Entertainment for proceeds from the upcoming second and third installment of “The Hobbit” Tuesday, Dec. 10.

All have been searching for a magic wand to bring huge traffic to our Web site. Many wonder if there is any password to the eternal mystery of online traffic. But the truth is there is no trick. We only have techniques that require dedication and consistency.

The Australian share market closed in the red for a sixth consecutive session today, weighed down by a weak offshore lead and downbeat day across the Asian region.