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Wall Street closed at a nine-month high overnight boosted by earnings reports and encouraging economic data in US manufacturing activity and new car sales. Energy and materials companies also broadly lifted the market.

The Australian share closed slightly higher lifted by miners. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended the day up 0.7%, or 25.7 points, at 3672.3, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 0.8%, or 29.3 points, at 3615.6. For the week, the ASX200 added 6% and the All Ordinaries rose 6.2%.

The Australian shares ended higher yesterday on the back of some better-than-expected earnings reports. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 35.7 points, or 1.1%, to 3448.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 31.1 points or 0.9% to 3398.

Yesterday the Australian market ended lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 43.3 points, or 1.2%, at 3497.4 while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 34.6 points, or 1%, to 3443.5. The market is watching RBA's rate cut decision and earnings reports to be released today.

On Friday, the Australian share market fell more than 2% as major banking and resources stocks felt the impact of renewed concerns about the health of the global economy. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 finished down 102.4 points, or 2.06% to 4877.1. The broader All Ordinaries lost 101.4 points, or 2.01% to 4949.5.

The Australian stock market has received negative leads from Wall Street on Friday. Oil rose again in anticipation of Hurrican Gustav making landfall in the continental US.