Tutt Bryant Group Limited

On Friday, the US stocks were boosted by the encouraging earnings from major retailers and The Walt Disney Co. A record number of U.S. companies beat earnings expectations in the third quarter. This week a new round of economic data including retail sales, inflation readings and housing starts will be the focus after most corporate results already reported.

The Australian share market closed lower with a broad-based selling off after Wall Street's tumble. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index slumped 45.4 points, or 1.2 per cent, at 3755.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 41.4 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 3753.9.

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.

The Australian share market closed lower on Wednesday, largely attributable to volatility returning to the US financial sector and weaker resource stocks.