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Yesterday the Australian stock market slumped more than 3% with the negative lead from UK. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 112.7 points, or 3.1%, lower at 3,476.6, the lowest level in two months, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 106 points, or 3%, to 3,425.

Yesterday Australian shares ended lower as the resources sector was dragged by the dropping commodities prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index closed down 85.4 points, or 2.3%, at 3694.3, and the broader All Ordinaries index was 84.6 points lower, or 2.3%, at 3643.6. Investors forecast the economic downturn may not change in a short term with more staff layoff and grim corporate results coming.

Yesterday the Australian market closed slightly lower led by Rio(ASX:RIO) and BHP(ASX:BHP), although metals prices were higher on the dropping of US dollar and rising Chinese imports. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 26 points, or 0.73%, to 3531.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 24.1 points, or 0.69%, to 3468.2.

Yesterday the Australian shares ended flat as weaker Commonwealth Bank and energy stocks weighed on the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 10.6 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3,581.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 6.7 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 3,521.7. It could be fairly quiet during the pre-Christmas sessions. But the local market may be hit by the dropping commodities prices and the fears on US auto industry as US government has admitted that orderly bankruptcy can be one of the options for the troubled automakers.

Yesterday the Australian shares ended lower as traders looked to make short-term gains, despite a positive start in the morning. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index yesterday lost 1.2%, or 42.7 points, to 3598, while the All Ordinaries index shed 1.1%, or 39.1 points, to 3534.2. But today resource stocks may gain after commodity prices advanced.

On Friday, the Australian stock market closed lower, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 42.5 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 3,489.9, while the broader All Ordinaries reversed 40.9 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 3,427.2. The ASX200 lost about 6.8%, and the broader All Ordinary fell 6.7% for the week. Resource stocks may continue the decline after the price of commodities, including gold, oil and copper fell.

Yesterday the Australia market closed lower dragged by resource sector although the central bank's aggressive rate cut of 100 basis points lifted some sentiment in late trading. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 153 points, or 4.16 per cent, at 3,528.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was 145.6 points, or 4.02 per cent, lower at 3,473.4. Analysts anticipate a rise today in local market with positive lead from the US and the RBA rate cut.

On Friday, the Australian share market benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closd 154.5 points, or 4.3% higher, to 3742.5, while the broader All Ordinaries jumped 144.5 points, or 4.1%, to 3,672.7. The market experienced a best week for the two indexes since the recent two months, delivering weekly gains of 9.5% and 8.4%, respectively. However, the weak economic data and profit outlook would send the local market lower despite the strong lead from overseas markets. The news about RBA's expected aggressive rate cut will dominate the market this week.

On Thursday, the Australian share market closed higher for a fourth day with around 1.4 per cent stronger led by the big miners as commodities surged. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 48 points, or 1.36 per cent, at 3588, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 48.6 points, or 1.4 per cent, at 3528.2. Analysts said the market seems to be a little quiet with less participation, except for some fluctuation after BHP's decision of dumping its takeover bid for Rio Tinto.

Yesterday Australian shares closed slightly higher after staging a late-afternoon rally as Washington promised to shore up Citigroup. Miners surged while banks pared their losses. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 0.25%, or 8.6 points, to close at 3425.1, while the All Ordinaries index was up 0.1%, or 1.9 points, at 3388.8. Analysts anticipate the markets a stronger performance with the good news.
The December Share Price Index futures contract on the Sydney Futures Exchange was up 144 points, or more than 4%, at 3600 in recent trading.