James Kong

The AUD has opened slightly firmer this morning after some nervousness from traders yesterday ahead of the US reporting season saw the AUD move back towards USD0.8700.

Australia's dollar fell from its highest level in almost three weeks to an intraday low near 87 cents on the back of a drop in imports of iron ore and copper by China, the nation's biggest trading partner.

On Wall St, US markets rose for a fifth straight session as analysts upgrades of technology stocks bolstered optimism ahead of the Q2 earnings season.

How did Japan recover so quickly after World War II? They were assisted greatly by Americans teaching them modern manufacturing and management techniques.

I've just come back from Dubai as guest of Sheikh Maktoum.As you can imagine, with such a generous host, I experienced some magnificent moments.

I was Christmas shopping at The Grove, an outdoor shopping mall in Los Angeles recently, enjoying the warm weather, when something amazing happened.

The first day of the new trading week saw stocks finishing slightly higher with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) rising by 0.3pct or 15pts to 4429.5.

Australian stocks ended firmer on Monday, overcoming a weak start to finish marginally higher on a quiet day when market players stayed mostly on the sidelines.

For someone who is being criticised for entrenching apathy around superannuation Jeremy Cooper has done more than most to make it headline news.

The Australian share market opened lower this morning but moved into positive territory on thin volumes.

Across Asia, regional markets are all higher on the back of improving sentiment on Wall St and news of the weekend that China's exports grew 44% on year in June.

Data released on Saturday showed that China´s trade surplus widened from US$19.5 billion to US$20.02bn in June, well above forecasts for a surplus near US$15.6 billion.

US chain store sales rose by 3.1pct last week compared with a year ago according to Redbook Research.

U.S. stocks rallied broadly Wednesday in the third biggest one day gain of the year, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average back above the key 10000 level.

The Australian share market started the day off in promising fashion after gains from both US and European shares overnight.

On Wall St overnight, stocks opened sharply higher after a three day break, with the S&P 500 rising from a 10-month low amid speculation earnings growth in the upcoming reporting season will help equities rebound from their cheapest valuations since the March 2009 bear market low.

The US ISM services index eased from 55.4 to 53.8 in June, below forecasts centred on a result near 55.0.

U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday, with Microsoft, Alcoa and Bank of America among the gainers, although continued concerns about global growth sapped some of the market's earlier gains.

Across the region, Asian markets are mixed following a complete lack of leads overnight and in very thin, holiday-affected trade.

The Australian market has today shrugged off weak leads, bouncing off the "flash crash" lows to make strong gains following Reserve Bank commentary this afternoon.

The Australian share market has started the day off weaker once again with the S&P/ASX 200 index down 0.1pct or 2.2pts to 4219.9.

US financial markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday.

European shares ended slightly lower Monday after struggling for direction amid lingering worries about growth and with U.S. markets closed for a holiday, although oil giant BP managed to gain ground.

The Australian share market is currently posting some modest gains with the S&P/ASX 200 index currently flat. Our miners are mostly stronger with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials index up just over 0.5pct or 59pts to 11316.6.

The US market retreated modestly during Friday's session as the much anticipated non-farm payrolls came in weaker than expected. It showed total job losses of 125,000, roughly 10,000 worse than what the market had been expecting.

Foreign investors hold lingering concerns about Australia's household debt levels and a potential housing bubble.

US non-farm payrolls (employment) fell by 125,000 in June, above forecasts for a decline of 100,000 workers.

U.S. stocks fell Friday, with General Electric, Caterpillar and 3M among the decliners following disappointing reports on U.S. employment and factory orders.

Returns are what it is all about as an investor. And as we mark the end of another financial year the job of filing another year's tax return gets added to the to-do list.