Bluescope Steel Limited

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The Australian share market opened lower after receiving negative leads from overseas over the weekend. Last week, Wall Street fell for four consecutive days and most metals and oil prices were lower.

BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) has signed a long-term joint collaborative technical agreement with Japan's Nippon Steel Corporation (TYO:5401) to develop next-generation coated steel products for global building and construction markets. Under the agreement, the two companies will undertake joint research and development.

The Australian shares Monday delivered a weak opening but closed higher for a third consecutive day. Gold stocks led the gains in a quiet session. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 13.6 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 4,409.9 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 15 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 4,429.5 points.

Australian shares dropped on Monday as investors were nervous ahead of the EU meeting over Greek debt. Trading was quiet in local market while most Asian bourses were closed for Lunar New Year on Monday, Wall Street also closed because of a public holiday. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 16.6 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 4545.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 18.4 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4570.4.

US stocks Wednesday climbed to near the peak of the year after Dubai's debt restructuring plan. The market was also supported by the optimism about the upcoming holiday shopping season while retailers Staples and Guess saw positive earnings in third quarter and provided guidance above market expectations.

Wall Street rally ended on Thursday as the market was suffering from "rally fatigue". The better-than-expected US jobless claims and corporate news failed to move investors who had been bombarded by positive news in recent sessions. A surge in oil stockpiles also raised concerns over the US recovery.

Overnight the Dow index and S&P's 500 index posted their biggest falls in three months as the worse-than-expected manufacturing activity data in September and new jobless claims led to a broad sell-off. These figures overshadowed improvements in pending home sales, personal spending and construction spending, and dampened investors confidence on the economy recovery.

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.

The Australian share market ended lower on Friday, dragged by the big miners, as global demand worries hit the prices of oil and base metals. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 52.3 points, or 1.37 per cent, at 3,761.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3,755.4. Resources stocks are expected to gain as commodities prices were firmer. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will lift a ban on covered short-selling of financial stocks effective from the opening of trade today.