Crown Resorts Ltd

After four years of construction, Sydneysiders finally get to experience one of the world's great hotels and its accompanying world-class dining and bar precinct, as select Crown Sydney venues are open to the public for the first time from December 28.

Dow Jones Industrial Average edged higher overnight towards the 10,000 points psychological level, helped by a market confidence on corporate earnings of blue chip companies. Energy stocks were also up on the back of a jump in crude oil prices.

Wall Street was higher on Friday as a government report showed that the pace of job losses slowed in August. But the US stocks were still in negative territory for the week with the worst performance since early July.

US stocks closed nearly unchanged Wednesday despite a stronger than expected increase of new home sales and a jump in durable goods orders. The market responded to the positive data with a shrug, as investors remained cautious and took their profits after rallies.

Wall Street finished higher in choppy trade as the upbeat economic data in Europe offset the news of disappointing retail sales in US. Wal-Mart's second-quarter earnings, above analyst's expectations, also helped to lift the market.

The Australian shares Wednesday posted a strong gain boosted by miners and banks. The upbeat data on consumer confidence and housing finance also helped to lift the local market. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 89.5 points, or 2.27 per cent, to 4024.4, and the broader All Ordinaries index surged 82.7 points, or 2.1 per cent, at 4016.3.

The Australian share market ended lower on Friday, dragged by the big miners, as global demand worries hit the prices of oil and base metals. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 52.3 points, or 1.37 per cent, at 3,761.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 49.3 points, or 1.3 per cent, to 3,755.4. Resources stocks are expected to gain as commodities prices were firmer. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will lift a ban on covered short-selling of financial stocks effective from the opening of trade today.

The Australian share market ended lower on Monday, dragged by miners and banks. The market was cautious ahead of the federal budget which will forecast a record deficit tonight. Yesterday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 was down 15.7 points, or 0.4%, at 3926, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 9.1 points, or 0.23%, to 3910.5.

Australian shares closed higher yesterday with rises in most sectors despite resources stocks dragged the market down. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 gained 0.6%, or 21 points, at 3756.6, while the All Ordinaries index was up 0.6%, or 22.4 points, at 3696.4. Banking stocks were stronger ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision.

On Friday, the Australian shares closed higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 climbed 55.4 points, or 1.51 per cent, at 3,735.6, while the broader All Ordinaries surged 51.8 points, or 1.43 per cent, to 3,674. This week the focus of the local market will be the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision.