The Australian share market closed in the black again yesterday, driven by a stronger financial sector, but weaker resource stocks capped the gains. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 38.8 points or 0.76% to 5144.1, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 26.8 points or 0.52%, to 5188.4.

Australian financial stocks is likely to continue gains on improved sentiment towards the sector in overseas markets, though weaker oil and metals prices may weigh on resource stocks. Analysts have cautioned that despite recent market gains, overall sentiment was still fragile and a further spike in energy prices or more bad news out of credit markets could trigger a fresh wave of selling.

Wall Street closed sharply higher overnight as another drop in oil prices improved investor sentiment. Wall Street staged a late rally after a mixed session, as a drop in oil prices helped to offset disappointing earnings reports from the likes of Apple and American Express. American Express reported second quarter earnings were below estimates and withdrew its full year earnings forecast.

Last night Wall Street led on easing concerns about a credit crisis, but gains are likely to be tempered by declines in mining and oil companies after oil, gold and base metals prices fell.

The Australia share market plunged just over 2 per cent yesterday to close at its lowest level in two years, after the US reignited world economic jitters by proposing to bail out US mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The Board of Image Resources (ASX: IMA) notes that ANZ no longer holds any securities in IMA on account of the Opes Prime matter. All shares held by ANZ in such a capacity were disposed of in an orderly manner with substantial assistance from IMA's board (refer to IMA ASX announcements on 2 April, 7 April and 8 April 2008).

Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ)'s Economic Insight - Comment on RBA Rate Announcement and March Trade Balance - Ms Katie Dean, Senior Economist; Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) present the following audio webcast regarding "ANZ's Economic Insight - Comment on RBA Rate Announcement and March Trade Balance - Ms Katie Dean, Senior Economist". You may also download this audio webcast to your computer or portable audio player.

Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ)'s Economic Insight - Comment on April Job Advertisement Numbers - Mr Tony Pearson, Deputy Chief Economist; Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) present the following audio webcast regarding "ANZ's Economic Insight - Comment on April Job Advertisement Numbers - Mr Tony Pearson, Deputy Chief Economist". You may also download this audio webcast to your computer or portable audio player.

Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ)'s Economic Insight - Comment on Retail Trade, March 2008 - Ms Katie Dean, Senior Economist; Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) present the following audio webcast regarding "ANZ's Economic Insight - Comment on Retail Trade, March 2008 - Ms Katie Dean, Senior Economist". You may also download this audio webcast to your computer or portable audio player.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) - 2008 Interim Results - Ms Gail Kelly, CEO and Mr Phil Coffey, CFO; Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) present the following audio webcast regarding "WBC - 2008 Interim Results - Ms Gail Kelly, CEO and Mr Phil Coffey, CFO". You may also download this audio webcast to your computer or portable audio player.