Viterra Inc.

The Australian market shrugged off Wall Street's negative lead and opened firmer this morning on optimism over US economy. Financials and mining stocks led the market rise. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 0.58 per cent, while All Ordinaries rose 0.71 per cent in early trade.

The Australian shares Wednesday opened stronger with 0.6 per cent in early trade. The market rose on hope of an overall corporate earnings recovery and on higher commodities prices. The Australian dollar was also up this morning as investors' risk appetite increased. Asian stock markets mostly rebounded yesterday. China's Shanghai Composite closed flat after a massive drop in previous trading session, with property shares remained weak.

The Australian market rebounded to above 5000 points today after Wall Street gained on hope of upbeat US corporate earnings. On Wednesday, investors would look to consumer sentiment data from Wespac and Melbourne Institute. The local market fell back to below the 5000 points level on a weaker performance in Asian markets. Today Asian shares were mostly higher following the positive lead from Wall Street.

Canada-based Viterra Inc. (TSE:VT) (ASX:VTA) has confirmed that it is selling its 50 per cent interest in the Australian Bulk Alliance (ABA) joint venture, a grain handling and supply chain services provider, to Japan's Sumitomo Corp (TYO:8053)for A$8.6 million.

Wall Street closed lower overnight after American consumer confidence reading in September dropped unexpectedly. The weakness in US technology stocks, which had been a leader for much of Wall Street's six-month rally, yesterday led a fall in the market. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index dipped in September to 53.1 from 54.5 in August as people worries about job market.

Overnight US stocks rose for a fourth consecutive session led by industrial stocks. But market sentiment were dented after Federal Reserve report showed that consumer spending was still soft and retail sales were flat. The report also said labour market conditions remained weak across all districts.

US stocks rose overnight as commodities prices jumped. Kraft Foods' US$16.7 billion takeover bid for Cadbury boosted the market confidence on a rebound in merger and acquisition activities, despite Kraft's offer was rejected.

The Australian shares Wednesday closed slightly higher ahead of the US Federal Reserve's monetary outlook meeting. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 10.1 points, or 0.27 per cent, at 3807 points, while the broader-based All Ordinaries index rose 9.2 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 3802.2 points.

Yesterday the Australian share market was bolstered by favorable local and overseas economic data. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 60.9 points, or 1.56 per cent, to 3955.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index surged 60.2 points, or 1.55 per cent, at 3948.1 points.

The Australian shares closed marginally higher on Wednesday despite weak lead from Wall Street and steep quarterly contraction in Japan. The resources stocks were higher on stronger commodities prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 7.3 points, or 0.19 per cent, at 3824.6, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 8.3 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 3808.9. Investors are expecting some pullback in recent trading sessions and seeking more fund raisings at discount on the market.