End of Day
End of Day
End of Day
The Australian market finished slightly above water today, after a mixed lead from international markets overnight. The Greek debt a...
View entire Market Summary

MARKET WRAP

Last Updated: 23 Feb 2012 11:49AM

All of the latest news from local and international markets.

WIDELY HELD STOCKS
Stock +/- % Close Stock +/- % Close Stock +/- % Close
AGK 0.03 0.21% 14.32 LEI -0.04 - 0.16% 24.34 SHL 0.40 3.51% 11.78
AMP -0.01 - 0.23% 4.26 LYC -0.02 - 1.53% 1.29 STO 0.19 1.35% 14.31
ANZ 0.14 0.64% 22.14 MQG -0.31 - 1.12% 27.30 SUN -0.18 - 2.14% 8.25
ASX 0.46 1.46% 31.96 MYR 0.07 3.18% 2.27 SYD 0.00 0.00% 2.65
AWC -0.03 - 2.50% 1.17 NAB 0.05 0.21% 23.45 TAH -0.04 - 1.44% 2.74
BHP -0.03 - 0.08% 36.41 NCM 0.75 2.14% 35.85 TCL -0.05 - 0.88% 5.62
BXB 0.04 0.56% 7.24 NWS 0.04 0.21% 19.09 TLS -0.19 - 5.43% 3.31
CBA 0.17 0.34% 49.64 ORG 0.13 0.95% 13.79 TOL 0.01 0.19% 5.19
CCL -0.05 - 0.41% 12.06 ORI -0.08 - 0.31% 26.12 WBC 0.11 0.53% 20.77
CGF 0.02 0.49% 4.14 OZL -0.04 - 0.36% 11.11 WDC -0.17 - 1.93% 8.64
CSL 0.77 2.49% 31.72 QAN -0.02 - 1.18% 1.67 WES -0.42 - 1.42% 29.23
CPU -0.02 - 0.25% 7.99 QBE -0.12 - 1.02% 11.60 WOR 0.38 1.32% 29.17
FMG 0.02 0.36% 5.54 QRN 0.00 0.00% 3.93 WOW -0.36 - 1.42% 24.95
IAG -0.04 - 1.36% 2.90 RIO -0.63 - 0.91% 68.53 WPL 0.91 2.53% 36.86

S&P/ASX 200 (XJO) High 4305.5 Low 4274.8 Close 4293.1 Change +1.9 +0.04%

Overseas Markets

Commodities

Name % Last
Asia
Hang Seng 42 (HK) 0.33% 21549
Japan 225 (JPN) 0.96% 9554
Europe
CAC 40 (FRA) - 0.52% 3447
DAX 30 (GER) - 0.93% 6844
FTSE 100 (UK) - 0.20% 5917
USA
Dow Jones - 0.21% 12939
Nasdaq 100 (USA) - 0.51% 2933
S&P 500 - 0.37% 1358
Name % Last
Australia
Copper Futures - 0.16% 382.60
Crude Oil Futures - 0.22% 106.00
Gold Futures 1.14% 1782

Australian Daily Market Commentary

The Australian market finished slightly above water today, after a mixed lead from international markets overnight.

The Greek debt agreement was overshadowed by a pessimistic debt sustainability report compiled by the IMF, ECB and European Commission, that warned of a ‘downside scenario’ to the deal.

The scenario was Greek debt hitting 160% of GDP by 2020, and the need for an extra 245 billion euros to reach the agreed debt sustainability level of 120.5% of GDP.

At home, the December Wage Price Index showed Australian wages rose by 1.0% quarter on quarter and 3.7% annualised.

The quarterly rise was higher than the 0.8% increase that economists forecasted.  

The index data for the year does show wages rising above inflation, but not at any problematic level.

In saying that, we don’t expect the data to encourage the RBA to cut rates in coming months. 

Seven out of twelve sectors finished in positive territory. Energy was the biggest gainer as Woodside (+2.5%) reported its full year results and reaffirmed its 2012 production guidance.

The big four banks were stronger on the day; Westpac put on 0.5% and ANZ advanced 0.6%.

The mining majors were weaker as flash PMI data out of China provided evidence that the country’s manufacturing activity is continuing to slow.

BHP lost 0.1%, while Rio Tinto declined 0.9%.

Computershare (-0.3%) lost ground after posting a 1H FY12 profit of $105.6 million, a 9.7% slide compared to the same period in FY11. The results missed analyst estimates.

Seek soared 10.7% after it reported a 1H FY12 profit of $60.6 million, a 26.5% rise compared to the previous corresponding period. The results beat analyst expectations.

The ASX 200 added two points, to close at 4293.

 
This information has been supplied by the Australian Stock Report. To learn more about the Australian Stock Report, please click here.