Babcock and Brown Infrastructure Group

Yesterday the Australian shares posted a modest gain as the market saw the rising oil prices and increased optimism about the outlook for commercial banks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 18 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 3345.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index was 15.9 points higher, or 0.48 per cent, to 3297.4.

Yesterday the Australian market closed slightly lower led by Rio(ASX:RIO) and BHP(ASX:BHP), although metals prices were higher on the dropping of US dollar and rising Chinese imports. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 26 points, or 0.73%, to 3531.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 24.1 points, or 0.69%, to 3468.2.

On Friday, the Australian market closed marginally higher with rise on most sectors except energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 34.5 points, or 0.96 per cent, at 3,615.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 25.5 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 3,547.2. Low trading volumes are expected this week.

Yesterday the Australian share market closed about 5% higher on its first trading day of November with good lead from Wall Street on last Friday and the expectation of another RBA interest rate cut. It was the share markets' fourth consecutive stronger day adding A$51 billion to the value of stocks.

Yesterday the Australian share market closed weaker on lower base metal prices and a profit downgrade by Lend Lease Corporation. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had fallen 16.3 points, or 0.33%, to 4887.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 20.4 points, or 0.41%, to 4957.6.

WestNet Rail will today present a proposal to develop a combined rail infrastructure solution for the various iron ore projects being developed in the Mid West region of Western Australia.