Decmil Group Limited

The Australian shares were stronger after an unexpectedly improved employment data. The market was also helped by a rise in Rio Tinto shares on expectation that it would follow its BHP Billiton in reporting upbeat earnings. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed 40.9 points, or 0.91 per cent higher, at 4554.3 points while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 42.8 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 4575.8 points.

The Australian shares Wednesday were broadly higher in the last full trading day before Christmas holiday. The market rose in a light trade after the US market gained on the upbeat home sales data. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 35.1 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 4739.3, while the broader All Ordinaries advanced 31.7 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 4756.1.

The Australian sharemarket ended the four consecutive day losing streak and closed higher on Friday in quiet trading condition. The market opened stronger on the good lead from Wall Street and made sustained gains, helped by the Chinese industrial production data suggesting demand for Australian resources will remain strong. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 28.5 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 4635.20 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index also advanced 28.5 at 4651.40 points. For the week, the market closed down 1.4 percent.

Yesterday, the Australian market slumped for the third consecutive session as investors locked in gains from recent rallies. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 58.4 points, or 1.47 per cent lower, at 3,904.1 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index fell 53.7 points, or 1.36 per cent, at 3,904.2 points.