Macarthur Coal Limited

Bandanna Energy Limited (ASX:BND) has announced the appointment of experienced corporate legal professional Tess Lye to the position of Company Secretary and General Counsel.

The Australian stocks market opened higher for a fourth straight day led by financial sector. The benchmark ASX 200 share index was up 0.36 per cent while the broader All Ordinaries increased 0.26 per cent in early trade.

The Australian stocks market on Tuesday extended gains as Dow Jones index hit a two-month high due to strong US new home sales and corporate earnings.
Shortly after the opening bell, the S&P/ASX200 Index rose 0.74 per cent, and the broader All Ordinaries Index was up 0.7 per cent.

The Australian shares rebounded strongly from early losses on Tuesday, helped by the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to keep interest rates steady at 4.5 per cent. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 54 points, or 1.3 per cent higher, at 4276.1, after hitting a 12-month low at opening. The broader All Ordinaries index gained 49.1 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 4299.7.

The Australian market was stronger this morning after European Union finance ministers agreed to create emergency measures totalling more than 500 billion euro to help eurozone countries facing financing trouble. The fund involves 440 billion euro from eurozone governments and another 60 billion euro of loan funds coming from the European Commission.

Asian markets mostly opened lower today despite Wall Street gained for its sixth straight day on Thursday. Australian shares fell slightly as the market is taking a breather after rallies in the past several days. Yesterday Asian shares were encouraged by China's first quarter economic growth. China's National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday that its economy surged by 11.9 per cent in the March quarter, up from 10.7 per cent in the final three months of 2009. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average rose 0.6 per cent and South Korea's Kospi was up 0.5 per cent. Hong Kong and Australia markets posted small gains. China's Shanghai Composite ended flat.

US stocks rose overnight as investors were encouraged by the stronger than expected retail sales figures, which also eased some concerns over the reporting season to kick off next week. Most Asian markets yesterday fell after the negative lead from Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1 per cent after weak machinery orders data. China's Shanghai Composite lost 0.94 per cent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.3 per cent. But South Korea's Kospi was 0.4 per cent higher as strong foreign buying came in late trade.

US stocks on Monday rose to a fresh 18-month high on improved economic data. The market was encouraged as the Labor Department Friday released nonfarm payrolls report which showed a biggest job increase in three years. In addition, better-than-expected figures in service and real estate sectors also helped to support the US shares. Asian markets mostly opened higher on Tuesday. Resources shares today could be stronger after oil and metals prices rose. Asian stocks closed higher on Monday with Japan's Nikkei 225 ended at a new 18-month high for the third straight session. Regional volume was light, as markets in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were shut for holidays. Most of these markets resume trading today, but Hong Kong bourse remains closing for Ching Ming Festival.

The Australian share market fell sharply Wednesday after led by mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto as metals prices dropped. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 69.8 points, or 1.5 per cent, at 4648.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 65.1 points, or 1.4 per cent, to 4665.9.

Australian shares ended lower on Thursday after a weaker-than-expected ABS retail sales data and Myer's disappointing result for first half FY2010. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed 26.3 points, or 0.57 per cent lower, at 4621.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index gave up 29.1 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 4644.1.