Asciano Group

The Australian shares posted strong gains yesterday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 3% higher, or 113.4 points, at 3883. The broad-market All Ordinaries index was up 2.9%, or 108.1 points, at 3846. Today the local market is expected to extend its rally after the boost of overseas and rising commodities prices. Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision will be the focus of the day.

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.

The Australian market is expected to rise after Easter holiday as metals prices were up overnight. On Thursday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 52.1 points, or 1.4%, at 3671.6, while the broader All Ordinaries surged 50 points, or 1.4% to 3617.5.

Yesterday the Australian market closed marginally higher as financial stocks surged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 0.1%, or 3.2 points at 3348.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 0.1%, or 2.6 points, at 3297.3. Australian shares may receive support from the stronger copper and oil prices, despite the falls on Wall Street.

Yesterday the Australian market proved defiant and held its ground despite massive falls in the US, according to CMC Markets. Interestingly, the share market didn't react too much to the interest rate decision.

Australian share closed at their five-year low point. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 0.1%, or 4.1 points, at 3327.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index also fell 0.1%, or 3.5 points, at 3281.5.

Yesterday the Australian shares were showing their resilience to the bad leads from overseas. The market ended with a modest drop after a rebound from the early losses. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended down 0.6%, or 19.6 points, at 3331.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index also fell 0.6%, or 19.1 points, to 3285.

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 shares closed lower as investors were leaving the market before Christmas. On Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 58.3 points, or 1.61%, at 3557.4 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was 54.9 points, or 1.55% lower, at 3492.3 points. Analysts said the loss was larger than expected, and the negative news from the world markets would impact on the local market.

Yesterday, the Australian market closed higher as the miners surged on rising commodities prices offsetting the slump dragged by Telstra after the government ruled out the company from the tender list for bidding on the national broadband network. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index ended the day 2.3% higher, or 81 points, at 3591.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 2.4%, or 83.2 points, to 3535.7. Traditionally the market would be quiet during this period with more focus on specific stocks rather than the market as a whole.