Christine Gaylican

Local stocks are expected to rebound on Friday with the gains posted overnight by European and U.S. markets routing from the positive resolution of the Greek debt deal.

U.S. stocks drifted upwards Thursday as investors took stock of a Greek austerity deal and continued improvement in the U.S. labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 21 points, or 0.2%, to 12907 in afternoon trade.

To defuse the ticking retail frenzy of grabbing the latest Apple phone- the iPhone 4S-- Chinese authorities and American-owned Apple Inc. have joined forces to tackle the problem of illegally selling the handset in China's black markets.

China is not keen to give up the fight in justifying its rare earths export policy recently thumbed down by the World Trade Organization.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar is largely unchanged this morning as the market awaits developments out of Greece.

The Australian stock market is perceived to maintain its current bouyant status thugging within its comfort zone range between 4,200 to 4,300 with the absence of catalysts to bring forth a major boost, analysts said.

U.S. stocks pared losses to inch higher as investors digested headlines over a Greek debt-restructuring deal that would allow the euro-zone country to avoid a default.

Rio Tinto has committed a further US$3.4 billion to the major expansion of its Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar is steady this morning trading at USD 1.0800 after reaching a new six-month high yesterday following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to leave the cash rate unchanged.

The positive leads from U.S. markets may not impact much on local stocks especially the currency-sensitive ones with the rate pause initiated by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), analysts say.

Stocks held onto gains in early-afternoon trading, even as Greece delayed action on austerity measures to address its debt crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 35 points, or 0.3%, at 12881, reversing early losses.

Further drops in activity and new orders saw the national construction industry spend another month in the red according to the latest Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI®), in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association. The seasonally adjusted index fell by 1.2 points to 39.8 in January, marking the 20th consecutive month that the sector has contracted (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity).

The Australian stock market is seen to hold firm, but gains are narrowed down by the grim prospects in Greece, that has yet to settle prevailing debt concerns.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: Australia: The AUD continued to hold firm overnight despite weaker offshore equity markets and no progress from the Greek political parties.

U.S. stocks drifted lower as the recent rally paused, with investors shifting focus to wrangling in Greece over fiscal austerity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average eased 38 points, or 0.3%, to 12824 as the last hour of trading approached. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index lost 2.7 points, or 0.2%, to 1342, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 7.8 points, or 0.3%, to 2898.

Asian banks made its way to the top 20 international bank brands of the year 2011, highlighting how they have so far bested the global financial turmoil and their future potential, the latest Banking 500 Report said.

World-first technology in the mining industry is contributing to better health and safety for miners, production efficiencies and improved energy consumption and environmental benefits, according to a new research.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar rallied again on Friday night as stronger than expected US data saw investors continue to build long positions in commodity currencies.

The optimism generated by the better-than-expected US jobs is seen to redound to the stock market.Analysts are bullish that Monday's trading will record some gains benefitting from the major averages posted by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, up 1.2% to close at 12862; the S&P climbed 1.5% at 1345; and the NASDAQ advanced 1.6% to end at 2906.

Although the Australian dollar had a great run coming into February, we expect the high-yielding currency to come under pressure next week as the Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to lower the benchmark interest rate.

Stocks rose Friday after the U.S. economy added more jobs than expected last month, driving the Nasdaq Composite to an 11-year high and pushing the Dow to its highest close in nearly four years. The earnings parade continues this week, with the latest results due from a handful of companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and from media giants and tobacco companies. In addition, seven companies across a range of industries are expected to go public this week, coming off a week that has seen ...

The Australian stock market is off to a slow start on Friday with commodity-related stocks led by Lynas Corp (ASX: LYC), Aquarius Platinum Ltd (ASX: AQP), Atlas Iron Ltd (ASX:AGO) hitting some gains as of 10:00 AM (AEST).

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The local unit maintained momentum overnight touching a high against the US dollar of USD1.0745 to open above USD1.0700 this morning.

The Dow industrials fell, on pace to decline for a fifth time in six sessions, as mixed quarterly earnings curbed sentiment ahead of Friday's readings on jobs.

The Federal Government is urged by the Actuaries Institute in its pre-budget submission to address two national priorities in the coming Budget: removing barriers to allow ageing Australia to better prepare for retirement with realistic annuity options; and creating a temporary national insurance pool for high flood-risk properties.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The recent rally in the AUD was further extended overnight with the local unit pushing back through USD1.0700.

The Australian stocks market is set to benefit from the positive turnout of overnight markets. The milestones include the European equity markets and Wall Street posting solid gains as hopes of the global economy advancing in positive territory, while the banking sector continued to rally on the belief that Europe will avoid a catastrophe.

FROM MORRISON SECURITIES PTY. LTDU.S. stocks rose broadly, moving to within striking distance of a multi-year high, as investors were bolstered by solid manufacturing reports around the world.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar continued to outperform overnight on news that European leaders have agreed to a new fiscal pact and a permanent bailout plan for the Euro zone.