Yesterday the Australian shares closed slightly lower with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index down 0.3%, or 9.3 points, at 3428.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index declined 0.3%, or 9.7 points, at 3372.6. The market opened higher after the positive lead from the US and UK, but could also be rocked by the earnings of NAB and News Corp.

Asian markets ended mixed Tuesday as and financial stocks gained but property developers lost ground on a weak outlook for prices.

The Australian share market closed higher on Tuesday, as the central bank's interest rate cut bolstered the financial stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended up 11.3 points, or 0.32 per cent, at 3,508.7 while the broader All Ordinaries index was 5.6 points stronger, up 0.16 per cent, at 3,449.1. Today investors may focus their attention on the earnings report of BHP Billiton and the decision by the four major banks after RBA's rate cut.

Yesterday the Australian market ended lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 43.3 points, or 1.2%, at 3497.4 while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 34.6 points, or 1%, to 3443.5. The market is watching RBA's rate cut decision and earnings reports to be released today.

On Friday, the Australian shares reversed an early fall despite the negative leads overnight on overseas markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 14.5 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 3,540.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index had gained 16.8 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 3,478.1. This week traders are awaiting RBA's aggressive rate cut which is expected to announced when its board meets on Tuesday.

On Friday the Australian stock market ended higher on the recovery in mining sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 21.4 points, or 0.61%, at 3550.9, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 18.1 points, or 0.52%, to 3494.9. Analysts expect the market may keep its way of turbulence in the reporting season until some clarity of the economy could be seen. Tomorrow Barack Obama's inauguration will be the focus of the week to boost some confidence in the market.

Yesterday the Australian stock market closed nearly 1% higher with gains in banking and resource sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended up 32.4 points, or 0.9%, at 3687 and the broader All Ordinaries index was up 30.4 points, or 0.9%, at 3624.3. Earlier, the market had sunk into negative territory. Today's focus will be the official unemployment figures for December 2008 which are expected to rise on the deepened credit crisis.

Yesterday the Australian share market ended lower, led by energy and mining stocks and a fall on a dismal earnings season in the US. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 0.8%, or 28.7 points, at 3654.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index slid 0.8%, or 30.1 points, to 3593.9. After some rise at the start of the year, the market may see more volatility due to the renewed bleak global outlook.

Yesterday offshore markets helped lift the Australian share market to a two-month high. Investors started to return as they were increasingly confident that the market may have passed the worst situation. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 37.0 points, or 0.99 per cent, at 3,779.7, and the broader All Ordinaries index added 39.0 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 3,728.2. The weaker commodities prices and performance of US stocks may send the local market down.

Last Friday the Australian share market had a poor start at the first trading day of the New Year, as S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 8.5 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 3713.8 points, while the All Ordinaries Index closed just 3.6 points down at 3655.7 points. Analysts warn that it is too early to get excited despite a positive lead from the US. The market might remain volatile in the coming three months as there will be some bad news ahead in the reporting season.