Christine Gaylican

MORNING REPORT (7am AEDT)US consumer sentiment rose from 74.3 to a 13-month high of 76.2 in March - well above forecasts of a result near 74.7. US personal income rose 0.2pct in February with spending up 0.8pct - largest gain in seven months. The Chicago purchasing managers' index eased from 64.0 to 62.2 in March.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar continues to be pressured this morning and is trading at new session lows against the US Dollar and major currencies.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average erased losses in late Thursday trade, with the benchmark index trading up 12.95 points, or 0.1%, at 13,139. Trading tends to be volatile at the end of the quarter, as fund managers adjust their trading books.

U.S. stocks erased a little bit of Monday's sharp run-up in a late-day drop led by declines in energy and financial stocks. While Monday's action had the look of end-of-quarter/month window dressing, Tuesday looked a little more like investors taking some money off the table after a strong run in the aforementioned sectors.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar has opened lower this morning following a fall in Chinese Industrial Profits yesterday, which was the first drop in profits since 2009.

Following BHP Billiton's earlier move to divest all from its diamond business, Rio Tinto is also undertaking a review of its diamond operations leading to a possible divestment of its assets in Australia, Canada and India, which seemed no longer fit to its business strategy.

MORNING REPORT (7am AEDT)In a speech to business economists Fed Chairman Bernanke confirmed that the Fed still believes that accommodative policy is needed to make further progress in lowering the unemployment rate despite being encouraged that the rate has fallen to 8.3pct - "conditions remain far from normal, as shown, for example, by the high level of long term unemployment."

U.S. stocks surged Monday, largely erasing last week's losses, after a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled the central bank is committed to a monetary policy that's helped buoy stocks for three years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 130.67 points, or 1%, to 13,211.40. The S&P 500 Index gained 16.07 points, or 1.2%, to 1,413.18.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD has pushed through USD1.0500 after dovish comments from the Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke saw a selloff in the USD.

The positive leads from global markets led by the rise in the U.S. equities Friday have not provided enough boost to prop up the sentiment in the Australian stock market early on Monday.

MORNING REPORT (6am AEDT)US new home sales eased from a 318,000 annual rate in January to 313,000 in February, below expectations for a result near 325,000. But the weekly Economic Cycle Research Institute index rose from 125.1 to 125.7.European shares recorded small gains on Friday. But key indices ended the week sharply l

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has started the week in the mid 1.0400's after its tumble last week to a monthly low below 1.0350.

Companies including drugstore operator Walgreen Co. (WAG) and electronics retailer Best Buy Co. (BBY) are scheduled to report their latest quarterly results this week. A former MF Global Holdings Ltd. (MFGLQ) employee is expected to appear before a U.S. House subcommittee this week to answer questions about the transfers of millions of dollars before the failed broker-dealer's bankruptcy filing.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has continued its tumble overnight as shrinking manufacturing data in China and Europe bolstered safe haven demand for the US dollar.

Stocks traded lower following weak economic signals from the euro zone and fresh concerns from China about slowing global growth. After rising to multiyear highs in recent days, major benchmarks extended their retreat into a third session Thursday. Sectors especially exposed to global growth, such as energy, materials and industrials, were the session's biggest decliners.

MORNING REPORT (7am AEDT)Flash PMIs dropped surprisingly in Germany, France and for the Euro-zone composite. The biggest surprise was the German manufacturing PMI which fell from 50.2 to 48.0. The French manufacturing PMI fell even more sharply, from 50.0 to 47.6.

The Australian stock market is off to a subdued trading Thursday as investors cautiously stay at the sidelines observing how China will try to ease its economic challenges that could have a direct impact Australia's economy.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar was sold back down through USD1.0500 overnight as another round of USD buying emerged.

Morning Report.US existing home sales continued the run of soft US housing market news this week. Sales fell by 0.9pct to a seasonally adjusted pace of 4.59 million units in February.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average headed towards a second consecutive loss as sagging energy stocks and the latest housing news weighed on investors. The blue-chip Dow slipped 27 points, or 0.2%, to 13143 in late trading. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index traded roughly flat at 1406, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 12 points, or 0.4%, to 3086.

As the 2012 NRL and AFL seasons get ready to kick-off, business information analysts at IBISWorld reveal how much Australians are spending on sports betting - the fastest growing gambling segment.

LUNCHTIME REPORT (12.40pm AEDT)The Australian share market is trading in the red at lunchtime in the East, following weakness in offshore markets. The US Dow Jones Index eased from four year highs overnight on news China has raised fuel prices for the second time in less than six weeks, raising concerns about overall economic growth. The Australian share market eased half a percent in early trade but has clawed back a little, and at 12.40pm AEDT is down 10.7pts or 0.2pct to 4354.9.

A slow, lackadaisical trading is anticipated on Wednesday's Australian stock market as a grueling impact of low commodity exports further hammered down potential export earnings in correlation with China's weakening demand.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD has opened this morning below USD1.0500 after reaching a level above USD1.0600 yesterday after the RBA's March meeting minutes were released.

MORNING REPORT (7am AEDT - Due to the change in daylight saving hours in the US - Wall street now closes at 7am AEDT)US housing starts fell 1.1pct to a seasonally adjusted rate of 698,000 units in February. However January starts were revised modestly higher. Building permits which lead starts, ticked up to 717k, suggesting that the fall in starts was just a temporary dip. The underlying trend is of very gradual improvement.

U.S. stocks fell as concerns about China's economic growth gave pause to a rally that pushed benchmarks to their highest levels in years. Stocks opened lower Tuesday and held losses in afternoon trading.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEDT)The Australian sharemarket completely wiped out the modest gains recorded yesterday, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) falling 0.4 pct or 15.6 pts to 4365.6. On Monday, the XAO rose by 16 pts.

LUNCHTIME REPORT (12.20pm AEDT)It has been a subdued start to the trading day, following a lacklustre offshore lead. European shares slipped from eight month highs overnight while US shares only recorded modest gains. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 6.4pts or 0.1pct to 4374.8.

Another session of positive leads from overnight trades in the U.S. and partly from European markets will bode well for Tuesday's trading in Australia.The markets in the U.S. moved forward with Apple Inc. leading the way with shares selling $600 a piece in reaction to company announcements that cash dividends and a buy-back scheme will be the way to go forward spending its billions in cash coffers.