Brickworks Limited (ASX:BKW) today announced plans to expand its Wollert-based brick factory, increasing the capacity to 170 million standard brick equivalents (SBE) up from its design capacity of 85 million SBE. The expanded factory will set new productivity and energy efficiency benchmarks in Australia.
Asian markets rallied Wednesday led by resources shares. Japan's Nikkei surged 2.7 per cent while Japanese exporters were helped by the weaker yen. Hong Kong market rose 1.3 per cent led by Chinese banks, as investors digested the Chinese government's decision before the Lunar New Year holiday to increase bank reserve requirement. Singapore also resumed trading on Wednesday and posted a 1.3 per cent gain. Today Shanghai and Taiwan markets remained closed.
Australian shares posted a strong gain on Wednesday while Wall Street and Asian markets picked up on a brightened outlook and higher commodities prices. The local market was also lifted by a bunch of upbeat profit results. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index surged 100.1 points, or 2.2 per cent, at 4667.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index jumped 96 points, or 2.1 per cent, to 4686.8.
Asian markets ended higher Tuesday. Trading remained thin while markets including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore were closed. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.2 per cent and South Korea's Kospi rose 0.5 per cent, driven by good leads in financial and resources sector. Commodities prices were higher as risk appetite returned. Hong Kong and Singapore bourses resume trading on Wednesday.
The Australian sharemarket closed higher Tuesday. Financial stocks were boosted as Westpac's strong earnings result provided a positive sign for the banking sector and Australia's economy. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 22.3 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 4567.8, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 20.4 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4590.8.
The Australian sharemarket eased some early gains and closed slightly higher on Friday. This was the first weekly gain in five weeks while the global markets had been shadowed by China's monetary tightening, worries on US economic recovery stability and sovereign debt issue in Euro zone.
The Australian shares were stronger after an unexpectedly improved employment data. The market was also helped by a rise in Rio Tinto shares on expectation that it would follow its BHP Billiton in reporting upbeat earnings. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed 40.9 points, or 0.91 per cent higher, at 4554.3 points while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 42.8 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 4575.8 points.
