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The Australian market declined for a fifth consecutive session on Thursday, even after a stronger-than-expected labour force report. The falls were led by resources shares and consumer discretionary. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index dropped 31.2 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 4606.7 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 29.7 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4622.9 points.

US stocks posted a strong gain overnight boosted by better-than-expected home sales. Existing-home sales increased by 10.1 per cent to a 6.1 million annual rate, from 5.54 million in September, the National Association of Realtors said. The US dollar was weaker on Monday on expectations that the interest rate would remain at near zero.

The Dow index gave up last week's success and slipped back slightly over the weekend. US and European stock markets closed lower on Friday after the latest US corporate results disappointed high hopes and pushed Wall Street back down through the key 10,000 points level.

Wall Street closed lower overnight after American consumer confidence reading in September dropped unexpectedly. The weakness in US technology stocks, which had been a leader for much of Wall Street's six-month rally, yesterday led a fall in the market. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index dipped in September to 53.1 from 54.5 in August as people worries about job market.

Wall Street Friday climbed to a fresh 2009 high as analysts boosted their growth outlook for the US. The market was inspired after Barclay's Capital raised its forecast for the nation's GDP growth in first three months of next year to five per cent from three per cent. For the week, Dow index posted a gain of 215 points.

US markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday, while Europe and Asia markets posted strong gains on Monday.

US stocks ended the day higher overnight after a sharp slump in the previous trading session. The rebound was helped by better-than-expected earnings from retailers such as Dow component Home Depot.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed higher on the back of stronger commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 49 points, or 1.29 per cent, at 3856, while the broader-based All Ordinaries index gained 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3851.5 points.

Yesterday the Australian market posted a massive drop following a significant decline in Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index tumbled 3.1 per cent, or 121.3 points, to 3796.9 yesterday, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 117.8 points, or 3.01 per cent, to 3793. Investors would become nervous after the losses in recent trading sessions, although the rebound in commodities prices may help to lift the local market.

The Australian shares Wednesday posted a strong gain boosted by miners and banks. The upbeat data on consumer confidence and housing finance also helped to lift the local market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 89.5 points, or 2.27 per cent, to 4024.4, and the broader All Ordinaries index surged 82.7 points, or 2.1 per cent, at 4016.3.