Asian markets mostly higher Thursday, stabilizing after heavy selling Wednesday, as worries subsided for now over Europe as Greece prepares to hold fresh elections in June. While uncertainty persists over the future of Greece’s role in the euro zone, some positives emerged Wednesday with well-received debt auctions by France and Germany, as well as strong economic data out of the U.S. Continue Reading…

Australia’s share market was surprisingly resilient Thursday, with the financial sector enjoying strong gains and resources stocks mostly rising in the face of disappointing Chinese economic data. The S&P/ASX 200 ended up 0.5% at 4273.7 on light volumes. Macquarie Group, QBE Insurance and the major banks rose 0.8%-3%, while in the mining sector, Newcrest jumped 2% after a broker upgrade. Continue Reading…

The Australian share market continued to suffer from Tuesday’s downbeat comments on China from mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, which flowed through to global markets overnight. The S&P/ASX 200 closed down 0.5% at 4254.3 points on light trading volume, after hitting a one-week intraday low of 4242.8. Continue Reading…

Australian shares were buoyed by their U.S. peers Wednesday, with encouraging signs emerging from that nation’s economy and news that two of its biggest banks passed stress tests. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.9% higher at 4287.2 points, building on Tuesday’s gains and marking the index’s highest close in two weeks. Continue Reading…

The Australian share market rose the most in three weeks Tuesday amid optimism over monetary policy in China and the U.S. However, resources and consumer discretionary stocks lagged, and share-trading volume was light before the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate meeting and the results of U.S. bank stress tests, due for release overnight. Continue Reading…

Asian stock markets rose Tuesday as greater certainty that Greece will receive its second bailout rekindled risk appetite, while the Tokyo market advanced amid expectations that the Bank of Japan would signal continued easy monetary policy. Continue Reading…

The Australian share market hit a three-day high Friday with the resources sector leading broad-based gains as China’s better-than-consensus inflation data fueled expectations of further policy stimulus in Australia’s biggest trading partner. Continue Reading…

Asian stock markets were higher Thursday fueled by growing optimism that Greece’s debt swap would prove successful, while hopes of more easing from the U.S. Federal Reserve and policymakers in China helped shares recover from a recent battering. Continue Reading…

The Australian share market dived to a seven-week low Wednesday after offshore markets suffered from risk aversion linked to concerns about global economic growth and heightened uncertainty before Thursday’s deadline for Greek bondholders to accept a debt swap deal. Continue Reading…

The Australian share market drifted lower Monday, with resources stocks weakest after China forecast slower economic growth in 2012, and as investor demand receded before key events this week. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.2% at 4263 points on light trading volume after hitting an intraday low of 4250.7. Continue Reading…