MARKETS

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.

The weekly downtrend has ended flat with the market closing +3 from the 5387 stop. The short term daily is on a downtrend and weakness is expected.

The Australian sharemarket fell for the third time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down by 0.3 per cent. Thanks to a 1 per cent rise on Monday however, the market still ended modestly higher this week. This is the 17th week in 19 that Australian shares finished in the black.

Sellers have made several attempts to push the market lower in early trade although the local index has shown the resilience that has become something of a trade mark in recent weeks.

In spite of gold losing much of its sheen in 2013 as global prices plummeted to record-low levels, the yellow metal nevertheless significantly contributes to the global economy.

Reading the moves on the market yesterday I was struck by how limited the moves really were and the tepidness of volumes throughout the entire market.

In US economic news, the Chicago PMI surged from 55.7 to 65.9 in October. This was a high since March 2011. The main driver of the jump was a surge in orders from 58.9 to 74.3. Production jumped from 58.0 to 71.1 and employment lifted from 53.2 to 57.7. Initial jobless claims dipped from 350k to 340k in the past week.

Black clouds threaten Europe's recovery, taking the pressure off the USDBy Kathleen Brooks, Research Director UK EMEA, FOREX.

Local stocks ended slightly weaker on Thursday. At face value it was an unflattering result although when measured against the lows of the session, when the index was down 32 points, it was a solid come back.

The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) lost ground from the start of today's trading session hit by weakness in the banking sector. Overnight the US Dow Jones Index overnight, closed weaker after the latest statement from the US central Bank (The Federal Reserve) showed little change over the last month.

By Jonathan BarrattWe continue to be bearish oil in 2014, however we are fully aware the market takes time to find its terminal point given a particular set of ideas.

As expected, the status quo was maintained on US monetary policy.

In US economic news, consumer prices rose by 0.2pct in September with the core rate up 0.1pct, below forecasts for a 0.2pct gain. The ADP employment index shows that 130,000 private sector jobs were created in October, below forecasts of a 150,000 gain.

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 61 points or 0.4% while the S&P lost 0.5% to 1763 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.2%.

Despite giving back some of the more significant gains recorded at midday, the Australian market still managed to rise for the fourth time in five trading sessions and for the 10th time in 12. Chinese economic data out over the past few weeks has been largely promising while the political situation in the US is in better shape for now.

After a 0.5 per cent fall yesterday, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is now up by 21pt or 0.4 per cent. Local stocks have only fallen on two occasions over the past 12 trading sessions; rising by 4.5 per cent since mid-October.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportLast week, Investor Mutual's Anton Tagliaferro was quoted saying he was expecting a correction, which, given our 25% plus rise since November 2012 on the stock market, does not look outlandish.

In US economic news, retail sales fell 0.1pct in September, but excluding autos, sales rose 0.4pct, in line with forecasts. Producer prices fell by 0.1pct in September, but excluding food and energy, prices rose 0.1pct, in line with forecasts. Consumer confidence fell from 80.2 to 71.2 in October. And the Case Shiller home price index rose 0.9pct in August to stand 12.8pct higher than a year ago.