Qantas Airways Limited

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed in the red for a second consecutive day with the broader All Ordinaries index ending 38.2 points lower, or 1%, at 3,883.6. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index yesterday lost 33.6 points, or 0.9%, to close at 3927.3. The industrial, materials, energy and consumer discretionary sectors sent the market lower.

Yesterday Australian shares closed higher for the first time in six days. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index was up 1.3%, or 51 points, to 3845.6, after earlier advancing more than 4.8%. Analysts said the market could continue to fall until a few basic fundamentals such as US housing sales, interbank lending, and commodity prices improve.

This morning shortly after open the Australia market has joined the rally with S&P/ASX200 up 4.3%, or 162.7 points, to 3957.3 points. Yesterday Australian shares suffered their fifth consecutive day of losses, hitting fresh four-year lows, as falls by the big banks eclipsed gains by miners. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 share index was down 14.6 points, or 0.4%, to 3794.6, recovering from an earlier drop of as much as 2.2%. Analysts expected the next few weeks ahead a relief period.

The Australian stock market closed almost 2% lower yesterday amid concerns on the short selling ban, as well as over the effectiveness of the US government's proposed bailout of the financial sector. Analysts said investors are waiting for some real clarity from the government.

The Australian share market continued its losing streak yesterday, falling almost 1% after the financial sector fell on concerns about ANZ Bank's increased debt provisions. The biggest five banks have lost A$29.1 billion in market cap in two days, according to Bloomberg data. Australia's biggest banks may probably continue to suffer in the global economic gloom, while the bad news came amid another horror day for banking stocks.

The Australian share market fell over three per cent on Friday after troubling news from National Australia Bank (NAB) related to losses from investments in risky US mortgages, and a weak lead from Wall Street. But gains on US markets on Friday night are expected to encourage investors to pick up stocks that were oversold during Friday's 3 per cent fall.

Yesterday, the Australian share market was 3.5 per cent higher to post its biggest single-day rise in almost four months as bargain hunters snapped up banks, property trusts and miners.

Ventracor Limited (ASX: VCR)(PNK: VTCRY) announced today changes to the Board of Directors. John Massey has retired as a Director and Chairman of the Board. John Ward has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors, and William Curran takes on the role of Chairman of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

The Australian season of 'Wicked', the smash hit Broadway musical, officially launched in Melbourne today. The hottest musical in the world will open at Melbourne's Regent Theatre in July 2008 and Australia's Showbiz International has been appointed the official VIP, Corporate Hospitality and Travel Packaging Partner for this stunning show. The ticket rush begins today with pre-sale tickets available from Showbiz from the 13th to the 25th of February.

Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) - 2007 Full Year Results - Mr Geoff Dixon, CEO; Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) present the following audio webcast regarding "2007 Full Year Results". You may also download this audio webcast to your computer or portable audio player.