AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Limited

AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. (AXA APH) (ASX:AXA) Chief Executive Andrew Penn said Thursday the company's Hong Kong business was profitable and growing with sales for the first half up 20 per cent on year. Growth was also accelerating across the Asia region with sales increased 52 per cent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year.

Australian shares opened flat this morning. Wall Street overnight closed in the red despite the US market pared most of its early losses after news of halted flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The losses were caused by disappointing economic data including inflation figures, manufacturing in New York and industrial production across the country.

The Australian share market opened lower on Friday as metals prices fell. Wall Street has provided a flat lead to the local market. Yesterday the Asian markets widely surged as investors were inspired by the US economic data. The Australian stocks snapped a three-day losing streak and posted a strong 2.4 per cent gain at the close.

The Australian share market today started with a modest drop at opening while the US and UK markets closed overnight for public holidays. The local market could be driven by the economic data due out today, particularly the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision on official interest rates.

AMP Ltd (ASX:AMP) says it is still interested in acquiring the AXA Asia Pacific Holdings' (ASX:AXA) Australia and New Zealand business while the Australian competition watchdog did not block its proposal.

The Australian stock market has opened stronger led by financial shares, as Wall Street rebounded after investors reassessed the potential effects of the fraud case against Goldman Sachs. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index and the broader All Ordinaries index both were up 0.5 per cent in early trade.

The Australian sharemarket fell on Thursday as investors digested some mixed earnings results. Investors also managed to take profit for the market after two days gains. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 13 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 4654.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index gave up 12.9 points, or 0.28 per cent to 4673.9.

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.

The Australian sharemarket posted a sharp loss for second straight day to a one-month closing low on Friday. The market pressured by worries about a slowdown in China and concerns over U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed stricter regulations on banks. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index and the broader All Ordinaries index both tumbled 1.6 per cent. For the week, the ASX 200 fell 3.2 per cent, its worst weekly return in 12 weeks.

Australian sharemarket dropped on Thursday due to concerns that China's bank lending halt may hit the global economy recovery. Chinese government data showed that GDP increased by 8.7 per cent in 2009 but inflation surged towards the end of the year. The results fuelled the expectations that China will introduce more measures to slow inflation. At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 41 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 4827.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 45.8 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 4849.6.