MARKETS

The Australian share market closed in negative territory today, although off its earlier lows, weighed down by a number of big name financial stocks which traded without rights to their dividends. It was a different story on Wall Street, where solid buying in blue chip stocks lifted the Dow Jones Index to a record high.

The two female premiers of western Canadian provinces agreed on Wednesday to a framework that would push through with major oil pipeline projects worth $12 billion being proposed by Enbridge and Kinder Morgan.

The Australian share market is modestly weaker at lunchtime in the East, despite US blue chip stocks recording solid performances overnight. The US Dow Jones Index closed at record highs, although weaker than expected earnings from electric car maker Tesla weighed on the NASDAQ.

Analysts forecast that Australia's mining boom is approaching its end would likely be questioned again as the country's iron ore sector just added $65 billion to the current financial year due to higher commodity prices.

By Jonathan BarrattGold looks to be suffering, as we mentioned last week. The move have not been aggressive, regardless of ongoing stimulus.

Global equities managed to push higher despite some key event risk approaching. Some positive data prints from Europe and more taper talk were at the forefront of the equity price moves. Fed member Williams said he wants to see a fairly convincing case that the economy can grow faster than recent trend before reducing asset purchases. Meanwhile Pianalto hopes the recovery will accelerate to allow the Fed to taper. This is probably the most dovish we've heard Fed members since the meeting and ...

In US economic news, the leading index rose by 0.7pct in September, just above forecasts. Planned layoffs by companies lifted by 40,289 to 45,730 in October according to Challenger. And the mortgage market index fell by 7pct in the latest week with purchases down 5.2pct and refinancing down 7.9pct.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 128 points or 0.8% while the S&P gained 0.4% to 1770 and the Nasdaq fell 0.1%.

It goes without saying that the oil industry has brought in gainful revenue for companies engaging in shale oil production.

A reasonable performance from local stocks to end flat after the early deficit seen in the first ten minutes of trade. The ASX200 was at its best levels around the open when it was up by 1.5 points. Not long thereafter the lows were put in place when the index was down by 26 points. The market spent the remainder of the session trading higher, and by the final bell it just crossed the line into positive territory.

Australian shares are lower for the fourth time in five trading sessions, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down by 0.3 per cent. Despite low volumes yesterday (generally around 30% quieter than usual on Melbourne Cup day), local stocks rose by 0.75 per cent, which is still keeping the market positive this week.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportOne of the greatest mistakes you can make in this finance and investing caper is to fall for the old defence of an improbable explanation or argument that "this time it is different.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 20 points or 0.1% while the S&P lost 0.3% to 1762 and the Nasdaq rose 0.

We continue to see a cautious tone in global equities, with the bulls sceptical about adding to longs as the tapering debate ramps up. A better-than-expected ISM non-manufacturing PMI (55.4 versus 54.2 expected) set the tone for the tapering argument.

In US economic news, the ISM services index rose from 54.4 to 55.4 in October, ahead of forecasts centred on a reading near 54.0. The employment component rose from 52.7 to 56.2. And weekly chain store sales, as monitored by Redbook, were up 3.8pct on a year ago, ahead of the 3.6pct gain in the previous week.

The Australian sharemarket rose for the first time in four trading days, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) gaining by 0.8 per cent or 41pts to 5425.7. Most of the key data globally is out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; namely Chinese and American economic data.

Mining giant BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) will no longer be a part of the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal project after it announced on Monday its withdrawal of a $3-billion port proposal.

The Australian share market is reporting solid gains at lunchtime in the East, ahead of this afternoon's interest rate decision where the Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to leave the official cash rate on hold at 2.5 per cent.

In US economic news, factory orders rose by 1.7pct in September, in line with forecasts. Durable goods orders were revised to show a 3.8pct increase in September or a decline of 1.3pct if defence orders and aircraft are excluded.

By Greg PeelFor a short while it appeared as if the month of October would see some renewed strength in the price of spot uranium.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 23 points or 0.2% while the S&P gained 0.4% to 1767 and the Nasdaq rose 0.

Despite a positive start, the Australian share market ended the trading day on the red, dragged down by a fall in Westpac's (WBC) share price and weakness from the energy and industrial sectors. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished the day's trade at 5384pts, down 22.3pts or 0.4 per cent.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt gave the green light over the weekend for the largest coal mining project in Australia to push through. Kevin's Corner covers an area of 37,380 hectares.

The Australian sharemarket is modestly higher for the first time in three trading sessions. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is 4pts or 0.1 per cent firmer at lunch. Weakness from the energy, consumer staple, healthcare and telco sectors is holding back the gains, while the miners and financials are both supportive.

Retail Giants are now determined to embrace the environment. Levi's has come out with designer jeans manufactured out of used plastic bottles. Nike has unveiled knitted sneakers that reduce manufacturing waste by 88 percent.

PDF file attached.Corporate bonds offer an alternative to equity investment in providing a fixed "coupon", or interest payment, unlike equities which pay (or not) non-fixed dividend payments, and a maturity date, unlike equities which are open-ended.

The US dollar continues to enjoy a steady recovery with some positive readings on Friday helping it extend its gains. Driving the greenback was a strong ISM report (56.4 versus 55 expected) which saw the US dollar index rise to 80.72. Tapering is the main topic at the moment and every time we receive positive economic readings, expectations of tapering by the end of the year gain momentum. Fed speakers were also a key theme in Friday's trade; with one of the well documented doves, James Bulla...

In US economic news, the ISM manufacturing gauge rose from 56.2 to 2½-year high of 56.4 in October, ahead of forecasts for a result near 55.0. But vehicle sales rose from 15.21 million to 15.23m in October, short of forecasts near 15.4m due to weaker truck sales.

By Chris Weston, IG MarketsMarkets opened on a modestly positive footing, with US futures opening an hour later for Asia-based traders and heading a touch higher.