Christine Gaylican

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained the country's benchmark rates at 4.25% considering an economic turnaround by the second half as a result of some structural changes especially the onset of the carbon price on inflation.

Global markets retreated overnight with China's announcement acknowledging a weakness in its economy and growth would be subdued in 2012 at 7.5%

Stocks bounced back in afternoon trading from morning losses, but remained in the red amid concerns about slowing global economic growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 21 points, or 0.2%, to 12956, led lower by Alcoa, which dropped 3.4%.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD has opened below USD1.0700 this morning, currently trading at USD1.0670, as a downgrade in Chinese growth forecast sees a fall in commodity prices that could also result to a decline in the value of the AUD.

Cautious sentiment is seen getting a grip at the start of the Australian stock market trading on Monday after Friday's disappointing leads from the U.S. and European stocks markets.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has opened this morning on the mid 1.0700's after a fairly narrow trading range on Friday evening.

Stocks finished slightly lower Friday after meandering in negative territory for most of the day, with the Dow seeing its first weekly loss in three weeks despite closing above 13000 Tuesday. Without major economic data releases or corporate news to provide direction, stocks drifted lower in a rudderless session.

The Australian equities and currency markets are set to rebound on Friday benefitting from the positive overnight leads. Although, holding up the bouyant trade for the rest of the day will be a challenge considering the earnings reporting season is almost over and oil price surges might temper further advances.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has opened back above USD1.0800 this morning, as the European Central bank's second massive injection of cash buoyed sentiment in equity markets.

Stocks rebounded from the biggest decline in two weeks, rising after a strong reading on weekly U.S. jobless claims. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 32 points, or 0.3%, to 13032, in Thursday afternoon trading.

Significant increases across the clothing and footwear and transport equipment sub-sectors together with a lift in new orders were leading contributors to another month of expansion in the manufacturing sector, according to the latest Australian Industry Group - PwC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®).

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar traded in a relatively wide range overnight, with the movements driven mainly by developments out of Europe and the US.

The Australian stock market is seen taking on the negative leads in today's trading signifying the impact of U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's statement that quantitative easing (QE3) may not happen soon as expected.

U.S. stocks edged lower after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke took a cautious view of the U.S. recovery and offered few clear signals that the central bank could take additional measures to ease policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 14 points, or 0.1%, at 12991, in afternoon trading, after rising 50 points earlier in the session.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: In a quiet session overnight, the Australian Dollar held yesterday's gains as local financial markets await a raft of economic data to be released today and the all-important release of the European Central Bank's second round of Quantitative Easing.

Overnight leads from the U.S. and European markets are to provide a boost to the Australian stock market on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks were slightly higher Tuesday, with the S&P 500 Index extending its advance into a fourth session, after a gauge of consumer sentiment rose to a 12-month high and oil prices fell.

In spite the grim apathy that seemed to shroud most of today's youth, there are still those who get involved and engage in the politics of change. Students from state-run Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) have shaved their heads in protest denouncing an alleged misuse of funds by officers of their student council.

The Australian stock market is off to a positive start on Tuesday's trading day, as overnight leads from the European and U.S. stocks markets were taken, though lightly by investors still wary how the recent jump in oil prices will curb potential earnings.

U.S. stocks pushed higher on the heels of firm readings on the domestic economy, putting the Dow industrials on course for the first close above 13000 since May 2008. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which at one point Monday had fallen 100 points, climbed 24 points, or 0.2%, to 13006 in afternoon trade.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD is stronger this morning, currently trading around USD1.0750 after looking markedly weaker during our local trading session yesterday.

The Australian stock market has begun with a heady, flat start this morning as the country watches the voting caucus among Labor Party leaders. Although analysts expect Julia Gillard to win, Australians and observers are still disappointed at the cracks in the leadership foundation of the party and confidence among voters will be difficult to rein.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar has opened around 1.0700 and is little changed from Friday's close as the leadership vote in the Australian Labour Party caucus commences at 10 am today.

The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index squeaked out its highest close since 2008, as most stocks traded higher after better-than-expected reports on home sales and consumer sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.74 points, or 0.01%, to 12982.95, after reaching above the 13000 mark earlier in the session.

The Australian stock market is bound to benefit from the overnight gains posted by markets in the U.S. and Europe. The S&P 500 traded near 10-month highs and the Dow once again flirted within the 13,000 level.

U.S. stocks overcame early losses, as a new round of economic data supported the market and strong performance from individual stocks pulled up two of the major indexes.

Australian consumers are forewarned of a fake telephone survey with the aim of defrauding them using their own bank accounts and other information.

Crescent Wealth, Australia's first Islamic wealth manager, announced on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Saturna Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of US based Saturna Capital) to act as the portfolio manager to the Crescent International Equity Fund to be launched later this year.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has had a relatively quiet trading session overnight, despite the political uncertainty created by Kevin Rudd's resignation as Foreign Minister late yesterday.