Lend Lease PrimeLife Group

Wall Street Monday rebounded from a three-day losing streak as investors were optimistic about the merger and acquisition market after Xerox agreed to buy business services provider Affiliated Computer Services in a US$6.4 billion deal. Analysts' upgrades also boosted Cisco, Citigroup and other firms in both the technology and financial sectors.

Last Friday the Australian share market had a poor start at the first trading day of the New Year, as S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 8.5 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 3713.8 points, while the All Ordinaries Index closed just 3.6 points down at 3655.7 points. Analysts warn that it is too early to get excited despite a positive lead from the US. The market might remain volatile in the coming three months as there will be some bad news ahead in the reporting season.