MARKETS

The Changing Definition of Safe Investments

Despite a slightly stronger start to the session for the 2nd day running (something which hasn't happened in 4 weeks), the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is 0.2 per cent or 8.6 pts lower to 4986.9. Shares slumped by 2.7 per cent in March, making it the worst month of trade since May 2012.

Australia's federal government approved Toro Energy's (ASX: TOE) proposed uranium mine at Wiluna, Western Australia. However, the go signal was subject to Toro meeting 36 conditions.

Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 89 points, or 0.6%, while the S&P gained 0.5% to 1570 and the Nasdaq added 0.

-Oil prices retreat. For how long?-Iron ore, coking coal underpinned-Thermal coal under most pressure-Platinum supportedBy Eva BrocklehurstAverage oil prices retreated in March after several months of rises.

The local share market resumed trade following the Easter break on a positive note, with financial stocks driving the market higher after the Reserve Bank left interest rates on hold at 3% as expected.

The Australian sharemarket is improving despite a flat finish in the U.S and an uneventful evening in Europe. Markets in Germany, France and the U.K were closed overnight due to the Easter break.

By Michael Lombardi, MBAIn 1980, the total outstanding debt in the U.S. bond market was about $2.5 trillion?this included municipal bonds, Treasury bonds, money market instruments, corporate debt, and asset-backed securities.

By Andrew NelsonMarch was a mild and somewhat positive month for uranium, with producers hoping TS Elliot is wrong in his claim that April is the cruellest month.

Qantas reported on Monday a six-fold rise in its Europe booking following its recent alliance with Middle Eastern carrier Emirates. The Australian flag carrier explained the higher bookings to shorter flight times between Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

Back in the nineteenth century, Benjamin Disraeli, once the UK Prime Minister, said: "London is a modern Babylon." Time passed, yet the Prime Minister's allegation is still up to date. Once you visit London, you will not only feel that it is full of tourists from all around the globe as it is full of historic and cultural heritage but you will inhale the air sated with the international business and unlimited possibilities.

On the 28th of March, it was made public that an oil consortium led by BP Plc would plow as much as $500 million in an appraisal drilling project in the Clair field near Shetlands Islands. The investment is expected to bring many benefits to North Sea oil sector.

Official data showed that Japan witnessed a surprising contraction in factory output in February. The released figures highlighted a huge task ahead of the new government of the world's third economy. The government will have to work by the sweat of its own brow to get out of economic stagnation and deflation.

By Greg PeelThe peasants, it seems, are not revolting. As a result, the bells rang out on Wall Street.

The analyst principally responsible for the production of this research report is: Howard Humphreys, Director & Lead Research Analyst, Seismic ResearchASX bucks regional drop on RBA, Easter returnAsian markets posted broad losses today on a soft lead from Wall Street after a report released overnigh...

Local stocks fell back into the red today, as concerns about Cyprus once again affected global sentiment. Banks in Cyprus will re-open tonight for the first time since the controversial bank bailout was floated, with investors concerned there could be a run on bank deposits.

Uncertainties about Europe have again reared their head, rattling European and US blue chip stocks overnight. Locally, the Australian share market fell quite hard on open but is currently down around 0.3% at lunchtime in the East.

Cash holdings of Australian investors have continued to decline, dropping to the lowest level since the inception of the bimonthly Australian Investor Sentiment Survey from the Australian Investors' Association (AIA) and FNArena in January 2011.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 37 points, or 0.3%, while the S&P lost a point to 1562 and the Nasdaq rose 0.

The local market steadily improved throughout the session to end around its highest level of the day. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) jumped by 0.9 per cent, which has completely made up for yesterday's tumble.

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), the second-largest miner in the world, is having problems over rising costs at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine as well as a planned progressive royalty scheme being introduced.

Early trade on Wednesday has seen an improved tone compared to recent days. Investors have chosen to focus on the improved economic readings from the US in the last 24 hours rather than lingering European concerns. In Europe overnight there were modest gains for core markets (France, Germany, and UK etc.). Although financial stocks dragged the Spanish and Italian markets lower. In the aftermath of the Cypriot bailout, investors continue to reflect on the possibility that depositors could abandon...

'Can you by legislation add one farthing to the wealth of the country?' Richard Cobden asked the House of Commons on 27 February 1846.

Natural Death of Sundance Takeover?

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 111 points, or 0.8%, while the S&P gained 0.8% to 1563 (2 points shy) and the Nasdaq added 0.

Local stocks fell back into the red today, after the Dutch Finance Minister spooked investor sentiment claiming the Eurozone bailout for Cyprus could establish a template for other EU nations needing financial rescue. He then tried to backtrack, saying each case would be dealt with on a merit basis, but the damage was done with US markets closing lower.

Global markets have seen volatile trade in the last 24 hours. European stock indices rose in the early part of their session as investors celebrate the announcement of a Cypriot bailout. The celebrations were short lived. Market turned south after Eurogroup Chairman Dijsselbloem suggested that the Cypriot deal should be used as a template for future Eurozone bank "bail-ins". Previously rhetoric from officials had made the point that the Cypriot measures, particularly around depositors, wer...

By Andrew NelsonThe focus has started to shift from Asia to the US as the hoped for driver of economic momentum, but Asia is by no means dead yet.

By Greg PeelThe only nuclear reactors operating in Japan today are units 3 and 4 at Ohi. They restarted generation in June last year a following the government's reassessment of its nuclear power industry but preceding the establishment of a new Nuclear Regulatory Authority in the country.