Wall Street ended lower in light trading on Friday as reports showed weak consumer sentiment in August and an unexpected decline in July retail sales. The weak reports prompted investors to lock in gains from the recent rally.

Wall Street finished slightly lower overnight after the US stocks hit a fresh high on Friday. Investors locked in profits ahead of economic data due to release this week, including monthly retail sales figures and the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

US stocks fell for a second day on Thursday as investors worried over the key employment figures, which are scheduled to release on Friday. Most economists expect the data will show the unemployment rate climbed to 9.6 per cent, from a 26-year high of 9.5 per cent in June.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 56.6 points, or 1.5 per cent, at 3737.5 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 52.6 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 3738 points. Analysts expect the market remained quiet until investors the corporate earnings bolster their confidence.

The Australian share market yesterday closed slightly higher with a good lead from Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 12.7 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3801.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 13.7 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 3795.3. There was a sell-off in late trading as investors drew cash to participate ANZ's capital raising.

Australian shares posted a strong gain yesterday. The better-than-expected employment data also boosted the stocks market. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 1.9%, or 71.6 points, at 3938.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 1.9%, or 72 points, at 3912.1.

Most Asian markets started the trading session with volatility on Monday after US stocks retreated on Friday. Tokyo and Seoul shares opened flat, and soon proceeded to a negative territory. Today Investors are also awaiting US government to unveil its plan to help the auto industry.

Nanosonics Limited (ASX:NAN) is pleased to announce that it has commenced production and commercial sale of its breakthrough Trophon(TM) EPR ultrasound probe disinfector system, through distribution partners in New Zealand and Australia.

The Australian share market closed marginally lower as financial stocks plunged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 fell 14 points, or 0.4 per cent, to close at 3465.8, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 11.4 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 3405.0. Analysts said it will be difficult for the market to rally as the previous two weeks. The rise in the period took the S&P/ASX200 index up by more than 10%.

ImpediMed Limited (ASX:IPD) would like to bring to the attention of all shareholders the publication: "Incidence, Treatment Costs, and Complications of Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Among Women of Working Age: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study", published on the 16th March 2009 in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology1.