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Yesterday the Australian shares fell 1.2 per cent after the weak lead from Wall Street last week. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 dropped 42.2 points, or 1.2%, at 3,516.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 35.4 points, or 1%, to 3461.3. Lacking lead from the US, the market attention will be on recent Chinese and Japanese takeover bids for the Australian companies and a string of corporate results.

Yesterday the Australian market closed slightly lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 0.6%, or 19.9 points, at 3488.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index dropped 0.5%, or 17.2 points, to 3428.6.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed higher led by banks and the resources sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 38.7 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3508.6, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 38.3 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3445.8. The market is expected to be quiet when investors await the details of the US rescue plan.

Yesterday the Australian stock market ended the day lower, led by financial stocks, on renewed worries about banking industry worldwide. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 1%, or 33.8 points, at 3442.8, while the broader All Ordinaries index was lower by 0.9%, or 30.2 points, at 3394.8. Regulator ASIC's move to extend a ban on covered short-selling of financial securities would give a positive lead to the banking industry.

Yesterday Australian shares ended lower as the resources sector was dragged by the dropping commodities prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index closed down 85.4 points, or 2.3%, at 3694.3, and the broader All Ordinaries index was 84.6 points lower, or 2.3%, at 3643.6. Investors forecast the economic downturn may not change in a short term with more staff layoff and grim corporate results coming.

Yesterday the Australian share market was closed in thin trading. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 26.8 points, or 0.7%, at 3687. The All Ordinaries index gained 16.8 points, 0.5%, to 3638.9. Market is expected to follow the US trends, but the rising oil and commodities prices may give resources sector a push.

On Friday, the Australian market closed marginally higher with rise on most sectors except energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 34.5 points, or 0.96 per cent, at 3,615.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 25.5 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 3,547.2. Low trading volumes are expected this week.

The Australian stock market closed more than two per cent lower on Friday following weakness in United States markets caused by doubts over a rescue package for US car makers. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had fallen 87.6 points, or 2.43 per cent, to 3,510.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 81.7 points, or 2.31 per cent, to 3,452.5. As the US Senate's rejected the $14-billion bailout for American automotive makers, the stock market is expected to continue moving downward on the negative news.

The Australian market closed lower on Wednesday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 83.4 points, or 2.3 per cent, at 3540.0, while the broader All Ordinaries dropped 95.8 points, or 2.68 per cent, to 3479.6. Analysts expect the US rally sustain for a while as there are some good signs in the global financial markets.

Australian shares have closed below 4000 points after business confidence sank to a record low. Analysts said the market with thin trading volumes was plagued by the negative sentiment concerning global recession. Resources sector would lead the market lower as oil prices fell below $US60.