New Hope Corporation Limited

US stocks rose overnight as investors were encouraged by the stronger than expected retail sales figures, which also eased some concerns over the reporting season to kick off next week. Most Asian markets yesterday fell after the negative lead from Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1 per cent after weak machinery orders data. China's Shanghai Composite lost 0.94 per cent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.3 per cent. But South Korea's Kospi was 0.4 per cent higher as strong foreign buying came in late trade.

ABN Newswire stocks to watch include: Atlas Iron Limited (ASX:AGO), Marion Energy Limited (ASX:MAE) (PINK:MAEJF), Exco Resources Limited (ASX:EXS) (PINK:EXRSF), WestSide Corporation Limited (ASX:WCL), AuDAX Resources Limited (ASX:ADX) (PINK:ADXRF), Magnetic Resources Limited (ASX:MAU), iSOFT Group Limited (ASX:ISF), Victory West Moly Limited (ASX:VWM), Adelaide Energy Limited (ASX:ADE) (PINK:ADEZF) and Pan Asia Corporation Limited (ASX:PZC).

WestSide Corporation Limited (ASX:WCL) has attracted two new cornerstone investors to underpin a A$64.4 million funding package which will cover the acquisition and development of Anglo American's 51 per cent interest in the producing Dawson CSG fields in Queensland's Bowen Basin.

Overnight US stocks ended at a fresh 13-month high ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, helped by a series of upbeat economic data. A report showed initial claims for US jobless insurance benefits plunged to their lowest levels since September last year. US incomes rose 0.2 per cent and consumer spending jumped 0.7 per cent in October. New home sales rose 6.2 per cent unexpectedly.

Wall Street closed mixed on Monday ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave the near-zero interest rate unchanged, but may begin scaling back some economic stimulus. Traders moved into technology and health care shares amid concerns the energy, materials and financials were overbought.

Australian shares gained 1.3% on Friday but still lost 4.3% for the week. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 49.8 points, higher at 3773.2 and the broader All Ordinaries index was also up 1.3%, or 48.1 points, at 3758.9. The local market is expected to soften on jitters over the US economy.

Yesterday the Australian share market extended its gains despite a weak lead on Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 rose 0.8%, or 29.3 points, at 3609.3, while the broader All Ordinaries added 0.8%, or 28.9 points, at 3546.2.

Yesterday the Australian shares ended modestly higher despite a strong lead overseas. The market in late trading gave up some of its early gains as investors started to pocket their profits in recent rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 0.8%, or 29.7 points, at 3580, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 1%, or 34.2 points, at 3517.3. Today resource stocks may decline after metals prices fell.

Investor Relations firm Financial & Corporate Relations (FCR), which specialises in assisting mineral and petroleum companies with communication, this week received the communication industry's highest award for investor relations and was listed as one of the top 20 firms advising on mergers and acquisitions this year.

The Australian 2008 National Mining Awards recognise the globally competitive Australian mining sector.