The Australian share market closed higher on Tuesday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 27.5 points to 5053.6, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 21 points to 5090.3.

In early trade today, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had risen as much as 60.8 points, or 1.2%, to 5047.0 with financial stocks leading the way, as the Wall Street lifted more than 302 points on Friday night. Wall Street's rally was a result of a surge in the US dollar and a drop in oil prices, which fell below $US115 a barrel for the first time since May.

Wall Street tumbled Thursday as further troubles in the financial sector and higher unemployment raised fresh concerns about the economy. But analysts said the Australian share market would soon become a buying opportunity.

The Australian stock market may rise slightly after oil continued to slide, and transport and consumer related stocks may firm on the back of further fall in oil prices.

Yesterday the Australian share market closed weaker on lower base metal prices and a profit downgrade by Lend Lease Corporation. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had fallen 16.3 points, or 0.33%, to 4887.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 20.4 points, or 0.41%, to 4957.6.

The Australian share market opened higher today led by the financial sector and despite disappointing US economic growth data. US equities slumped on readings on jobs and manufacturing which indicated that businesses and workers still face a tough economy.

Australian shares closed firmly in the black yesterday for the second consecutive day, driven by a positive US lead and higher prices overnight for copper, nickel and oil. DJ Carmichael research assistant Peter Kopetz said investors remained cautious and would continue to looking for more signs of positivity from company earning reports during the latter part of the profit reporting season in August. More big swings in the US are expected as their profit reporting season continues.

The Australian share market was boosted by banks yesterday after investor confidence returned following a rally overnight on Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 89.2 points, or 1.84%, to 4936.7, while the broader All Ordinaries climbed 85.4 points, or 1.73%, to 5008.7.

The Australian share market continued its losing streak yesterday, falling almost 1% after the financial sector fell on concerns about ANZ Bank's increased debt provisions. The biggest five banks have lost A$29.1 billion in market cap in two days, according to Bloomberg data. Australia's biggest banks may probably continue to suffer in the global economic gloom, while the bad news came amid another horror day for banking stocks.

The Australian share market fell over three per cent on Friday after troubling news from National Australia Bank (NAB) related to losses from investments in risky US mortgages, and a weak lead from Wall Street. But gains on US markets on Friday night are expected to encourage investors to pick up stocks that were oversold during Friday's 3 per cent fall.