Tower Australia Group Ltd

Australian Market Report of December 29, 2010 includes: Kangaroo Resources Limited (ASX:KRL) announce A$277 Million acquisition of Indonesian Thermal Coal Project; Dai-ichi (TYO:8750) is to acquire TOWER Australia Group (ASX:TAL) for future development in the Australian Insurance Market; Uran Limited (ASX:URA) has entered into an option to earn interest in near-production Manganese projects in Zambia; Imperial Corporation Limited (ASX:IMP) announced US$60.25 million acquisition of US oil assets.

The Australian shares dropped this morning after Wall Street ended its four straight day rises. US shares fell on news that orders for big-ticket items sank in June on weaker demand for airplanes and electronic goods.

The Australian share market was higher in early trade today despite Wall Street delivered a weak lead. Overnight US stocks reversed strong gains to close lower on worries over Euro amid the lingering Europe debt crisis. The newly released OECD economic outlook, predicting strong economic growth, has supported the local market today.

Overnight US stocks ended at a fresh 13-month high ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, helped by a series of upbeat economic data. A report showed initial claims for US jobless insurance benefits plunged to their lowest levels since September last year. US incomes rose 0.2 per cent and consumer spending jumped 0.7 per cent in October. New home sales rose 6.2 per cent unexpectedly.

US equities fell for a third straight day on Friday as Dell's disappointing earnings result dragged the US stocks lower. Energy and materials companies were weighed down after European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet indicated that supportive stimulus measures must soon be unwound, prompting traders to buy US dollar.

The Australian share market yesterday closed slightly higher with a good lead from Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 12.7 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3801.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 13.7 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 3795.3. There was a sell-off in late trading as investors drew cash to participate ANZ's capital raising.

Yesterday the Australian share market weathered the bad lead from Wall Street and ended with a modest drop. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 0.4%, or 14.3 points, at 3474.4, while the All Ordinaries fell 0.3%, or 10.5 points, at 3418.1. Today traders are expecting Rio Tinto's earnings report with a profit increase and details of the talks with Chinalco over the A$30 billion cash injection deal.

The Australian market closed lower on Wednesday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended down 83.4 points, or 2.3 per cent, at 3540.0, while the broader All Ordinaries dropped 95.8 points, or 2.68 per cent, to 3479.6. Analysts expect the US rally sustain for a while as there are some good signs in the global financial markets.

Overnight US stocks rallied and commodity gained after the Federal Reserve's chairman backed more government spending to help the economy and credit market conditions showed further signs of improvement.

On Friday, the Australian share market fell more than 2% as major banking and resources stocks felt the impact of renewed concerns about the health of the global economy. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 finished down 102.4 points, or 2.06% to 4877.1. The broader All Ordinaries lost 101.4 points, or 2.01% to 4949.5.