Australian shares rallied on Thursday after a strong lead from overseas market, and the gains were fuelled by the better-than-expected employment data in Australia. Total employment was up by 45,900 in June, compared to expectations of an increase of 15,000. Australia's unemployment rate in June was a seasonally adjusted 5.1 per cent, beating the economists' prediction of 5.2 per cent.
The Australian shares rebounded strongly from early losses on Tuesday, helped by the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to keep interest rates steady at 4.5 per cent. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 54 points, or 1.3 per cent higher, at 4276.1, after hitting a 12-month low at opening. The broader All Ordinaries index gained 49.1 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 4299.7.
CSR Limited (ASX:CSR) said Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to sell its Asian Business to Danish stone wool producer Rockwool Group for A$128 million.
The Australian share market gave up its early gains to finish 0.3 per cent lower on Monday while Asian markets were weaker. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 16.6 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 4,222.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 14.3 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 4,250.6.
CSR Limited (ASX:CSR) said it has agreed to sell its sugar and renewable energy business, Sucrogen, to Singapore listed agribusiness Wilmar International Limited (SIN:F34) for A$1.75 billion.
The Australian shares Tuesday posted losses for the sixth consecutive day as Asian markets were widely lower. Chinese market dropped more than 4 per cent due to a massive sell-off after the Agricultural Bank of China offered a lower-than-expected price in its Shanghai tranche IPO. Investors feared that this could be a signal of slow-down in fresh investment into Chinese equities.
Australian share market lost momentum on Thursday, despite the change of Australia's Prime Minister pushed the market higher earlier. Resources shares surged on expectation that discussions between the government and the miners could end the uncertainty caused by the proposed mining tax. The local market ended slightly lower led by financials stocks. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gave up 6.4 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 4479.7 while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 5.3 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 4504.1.
