GPT Group

Yesterday, the Australian stocks closed slightly lower dragged by the major miners. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 0.2%, or 7.7 points, at 3769 points, while the All Ordinaries index was also down 0.2%, or 5.8 points, at 3722.3.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed in the red for a second consecutive day with the broader All Ordinaries index ending 38.2 points lower, or 1%, at 3,883.6. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index yesterday lost 33.6 points, or 0.9%, to close at 3927.3. The industrial, materials, energy and consumer discretionary sectors sent the market lower.

The Australian sharemarket has closed at a fresh four-year low after falling more than 1% on renewed global recession fears. Investors actually had expected a much more volatile as the significant declines on Wall Street last Friday gave a negative lead to the local market. Analysts said it was not as bad as expected and the miners performed well yesterday.

As the Howard Government prepares its response to the Task Group on Emissions Trading's Report provided to the Government yesterday, Environment Ministers from each Australian State and Territory are meeting in Cairns to put the final touches on a mandatory greenhouse and energy reporting system for companies.