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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.

The Australian share market yesterday closed around 3% higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 101.3 points, or 3.03 per cent, at 3444, while the broader All Ordinaries index lifted 92 points, or 2.79 per cent, to 3392.3. With the positive lead of Wall St. the market is expected to continue its upward movement today.

On Monday, the Australian share market fell to a four-year low as investors remained concerned about the continuing gloomy economic outlook. The big miners and the banks led the market lower, and all sectors were down. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 95.1 points, or 2.54 per cent, at 3,653, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 86.5 points, or 2.32 per cent, to 3639.5. Analysts said the market was oversold on fundamentals, but more softened half-year results would be expected in recent days.

Wall Street closed weaker on Friday with fluctuations that has become a standard in recent weeks and further turmoil overseas is likely to prompt fresh slides for Australia markets. Last Friday the Australia benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 42.6 points, or 1.1%, to 3970.8, after rising as much as 3.4% in the morning. The broader All Ordinaries lost 43.3 points, or 1.1% to 3944.8.

Yesterday the Australian share market nudged a little higher as gold and oil prices rose and investors anticipated a good profit result from BHP Billiton, which released its result after the market closed.