MARKETS

'Gains by stealth' is one way of describing the local markets performance in recent days. Modest moves higher on successive days underpinned by similar volumes. The Australian share market traded at its highest level in close to 17 months amidst news flow that could be seen as positive if only for the fact that it didn't upset the applecart. An improved read on Germany's influential survey of business conditions was better than expected. In its commentary the author of the report, Th...

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the fourth day running, making it the longest winning streak in over a month. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.4 per cent or 17.6 pts to 4598.9.

The US is the place to be. That's what everybody says. America has all the advantages: the strong US economy, a younger population, cheaper energy, and a central bank more ready to print money as necessary.

On the 10th of December, General Motors Co.'s Adam Opel AG informed that the car plant in Bochum, Germany would be closed. The decision to cease auto production in one of four car plants located in Germany was caused mainly by the decline in the European auto market. Adam Opel AG unit made a decision as it tries to restructure its unprofitable operations in the region.

Christmas is closer everyday... Suspense is increasing as presents are being sent out. Without a doubt the holiday season, namely the holiday shopping season, is the busiest period for shipping companies and postal services all over the world.

On the 11th of December, HSBC Holdings PLC informed that it decided to pay approximately 1.9 billion in settlement with U.S. regulatory authorities to end a long and embarrassing American criminal probe into money laundering allegations against the Europe's biggest bank. The amicable settlement, which is to be paid by HSBC Holdings PLC , will be the largest fine paid by a bank in the history.

Diamond Capital Management LLC, which was one of several hedge funds implicated in the U.S. investigation into insider trading on Wall Street, informed that it would close down after receiving redemptions request amounting for more than 25 percent of its assets. Clients of Diamond Capital Management LLC asked to take out as much as $520 million in capital.

After Indonesia, Bahrain and Pakistan, Israel is the new headache for Australia's live cattle export industry. ABC aired on Tuesday footage taken by Israeli journalist Ronen Bar, which were proof of the brutal and inhume way that Australian cows were slaughtered at the abattoir.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 78 points, or 0.6%, while the S&P gained 0.7% to 1427 and the Nasdaq added 1.

Local stocks continued to move in a positive direction today, boosted by positive offshore moves and firmer commodity prices. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) gained 18.9pts or 0.4pct by close to finish at 4581.3pts, its best finish since mid-October. The ASX 200 closed at 4576pts, its highest close for 2012.

The Australian sharemarket at lunch is improving for the third day running and for the ninth time in 12 sessions. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.5 per cent or 21.2 pts to 4583.6. The defensive healthcare and telco sectors are slipping modestly but all other industries are improving, with the miners the standouts.

- Lynas in trading halt- Malaysia insists on LAMP waste export- Rare earth prices continue to fall- Beijing reacts with industry assistanceBy Greg PeelAustralian rare earth hopeful Lynas Corp ((LYC)) sent another shiver down the spines of beleaguered investors this morning in requesting yet another ...

American International Group Inc. informed that it would sell an 80.1 percent stake in its International Lease Finance Corp. to a group of Chinese investors for as much as $4.2 billion. The acquisition is expected to be the China's biggest purchases of an American company. What is more, the group of Chinese investors has an option to buy an extra stake of 9.9 percent, which would give them as much as a 90 percent stake in ILFC.

By Andrew NelsonJust when we thought the uranium market was settling down for a quiet holiday season, we are greeted with a busy week of year-end buying and selling.

Australian miners are now resorting to tapping ants and termites - considered as pests by many households - to lead them to undiscovered gold deposits. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) research scientist Aaron Stewart explained that these small insects stockpile traces of heavy metal, including gold, on ant mounds, particularly located in deep underground nests in the Australian Outback.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 14 points, or .1%, while the S&P was flat at 1418 and the Nasdaq added 0.

Whilst several regional indices ended the session in the red, the general market atmosphere at the start of the week was constructive. The Dow and S&P 500 concluded last week on positive note following an upbeat government jobs report. US Non-farm payrolls gained by 146k in November (60K better than expected), although October job gains were revised lower.The unemployment rate dropped from 7.9% to 7.7%, the lowest since December 2008.

During Christmas one gets sick due to stress and anxiety that the harried season sometimes give. And if you get sick right smack on Christmas Day, and it so happened you're miles away from home coz you're celebrating Christmas at some other town, the more you feel you'll get sick because you don't know of any available doctor nearby.

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the fourth time in six sessions, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up 0.4 per cent or 17.6 pts to 4573.5. The defensive healthcare sector is the lone loser at lunch, with all other regions of the market edging higher. Better than expected job numbers in the U.S on Friday and strong economic news out of China yesterday is helping keep our market positive. There were around 50,000 more jobs created in November than expected in North America, while reta...

As the famous cliché goes, all good things come to an end. Or something to that effect. In today's era ruled by smartphones, tablets, and other more convenient portable options, Sony announced over the weekend it is finally giving its Walkman and other handheld cassette players lineup the rest it deserves. Sony said that the current batch of TCM-400, TCM-410 and TCM-450 devices will be the last that it will produce, effectively easing out the product item from the IT and gadget market early n...

Local stocks enjoyed a solid end to the trading week, following positive offshore moves and strong gains from blue chip stocks. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished the session firmer by 40.2pts or 0.9pct to 4555.9, its highest close since the 19th October.

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the third time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) gaining by 0.8 per cent or 36.5 pts to 4552.2. All sectors bar the utilities are higher, with the miners and financials leading the rise.

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.

Starbucks Corp. returns to its expansion plan as it has announced that it is going to open as many as 2,400 outlets in just two years. Two major markets, which will see the Starbucks Corp.'s expansion, are China and the United States. If the company's expansion plans is achieved, Starbucks Corp. will have over 20,000 stores worldwide.

Sir Philip Green is said to be in advanced talks with a US private equity firm, Leonard Green & Partners LP, over the sale of a significant part of his fashion brand Topshop. According to a source familiar with the matter, billionaire retailer is to sell as much as 25 percent stake in his high street brand as he attempts to raise money to expand Topshop and Topman in China and the US.

On the 6th of November, British luxury fashion group Mulberry informed that the results from the beginning of the second half of the year were promising as retail sales grew significantly after the first half profit had been affected by operating costs. Mulberry Group Plc saw an 11 percent increase in like-for-like sales in the nine weeks ended on the 1st of December.

By Peter Thornhill, Switzer Super ReportWell, as investors, what are we to do? With all the recently self-appointed investment guru's wagging their fingers at us, we have every right to be confused.

After creating controversy a few weeks ago for suggesting that Australians should stay away from pubs so they would be financially better off, Gina Rinehart's latest advice to young Aussies will likely be a trending topic again in news programmes and social media.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 39 points, or 0.3%, while the S&P gained 0.3% to 1413. With a partial bounce in Apple, the Nasdaq is up 0.