The local sharemarket has gained just before the close, to finish up 0.10% – breaking a five-session losing streak. Real estate and consumer stocks outperformed, while financial, energy and miners were the main weights.

The local sharemarket has lost earlier gains, held back by heavy falls in the energy sector. Santos shares have plunged 9% after the company rejected a US$10.9bn takeover offer from Harbour Energy.

The US markets failed to hang onto early gains following President Trump’s comments that a meeting with Kim Jong Un in doubt. Some progress made between US and China helped lift stocks early.

The Aussie dollar has ended the day falling for the 4th consecutive day after 6 straight weeks of gains. Telstra is at a 7 year low, dropping 13% in the last 7 days after the widespread outage yesterday and last year’s profit warning.

After recording six straight weeks of gains, the local sharemarket retreated 0.5% this week. The local bourse was held back as four banks traded ex-dividend.

The local sharemarket gave up yesterday’s gains, slipping 0.2% as healthcare, financial and industrials declined. Westpac shares fell 3.7% as the bank traded ex-dividend.

The ASX 200 managed to edge higher on Wednesday, buoyed by improvements in the financial, materials and energy sectors which offset losses in the telco and utilities sectors.

The local sharemarket has recorded a sixth straight weekly improvement – its longest weekly winning streak in two years. The buying momentum waned on Friday afternoon though, with the ASX 200 finishing down 2 points, losing earlier gains.

The ASX 200 has finished firmer for the ninth time in the past 10 sessions today. The index was boosted by a rally in the energy sector following a surge in oil prices overnight to 3.5 year highs.

The Australian market is improving slightly at lunch and remains near the best levels in three months. Strong gains from the banks are keeping the market positive while sluggish retail trade data has pushed the Aussie dollar a little lower.

The ASX 200 has climbed 1.85% over the week, recording its best weekly performance in 14 months. The index did decline on Friday though, slipping 0.6%.

Local shares have added to recent gains with the ASX 200 ahead by 0.5% at lunch. Industrials & consumer staples are among the most improved with Qantas and Woolworths posting solid quarterly updates. While JB Hi-Fi is slumping on a profit downgrade.

US stocks swung to modest gains thanks to better than expected profit results from plane maker Boeing. 10-year treasury yields remain above 3%; a more than 4-year high.

US stocks swung to modest gains thanks to better than expected profit results from plane maker Boeing. 10-year treasury yields remain above 3%; a more than 4-year high.

The local sharemarket is extending recent gains with the ASX 200 up 3 points or 0.1%. However a 0.8% fall in the financial sector is holding the market back.

The ASX 200 is slightly weaker in early trade, after falling 0.9% yesterday. Inflation data for the December quarter came in weaker than expected, up 0.6% compared with consensus forecasts of +0.7%.

The local sharemarket has been buoyed by strong gains in the healthcare and telco sectors. The ASX 200 is up 14 points or 0.20% to 6,037.

The local sharemarket is losing some of its shine, after climbing for the past two sessions. The ASX 200 is down 6 points or 0.10% to 6,048 with gains from mining & energy stocks helping to limit the losses.

The ASX 200 has finished down 0.10% on Thursday. However, the index has improved by 0.6% over the holiday shortened week.

The Aussie market is continuing on from yesterday’s gains as the ASX 200 lifts 16pts or 0.3% at lunch to rise above 6050pts. Most sectors are higher with only materials stocks in the red.

The local sharemarket has managed to extend yesterday’s gains, helped by strength in the healthcare, energy and financial sectors. The ASX 200 rose 0.3% or 17 points to 6,054.

The ASX 200 gave up early gains on Monday as investors wait to see if US lawmakers can find common ground to avoid a continuing shutdown of the US Government.

The local sharemarket has lost earlier gains, and is trading flat at midday. The Aussie dollar has continued its ascent, trading at a four-month high of 80.02 US cents.

The ASX 200 has finished in the red for a fifth straight session. Over the week, the index lost 1% adding to last week’s 0.85% loss.

Heavy losses in the Materials sector – on the back of weaker commodity prices – are weighing on the market today. The ASX 200 is down 0.5% or 31 points to 6,016 – extending yesterday’s losses.

The ASX 200 has fallen another 0.5% on Wednesday, adding to Tuesday’s 0.5% decline. The market was weighed down by losses in the Materials sector, which dropped 2.0%.

The local sharemarket has snapped a two-session losing streak – helped higher by a rally in the materials sector. The ASX 200 is up 0.2% or 10 points to 6,077.

The ASX 200 managed to snap a two-day slump, helped by strong gains from the major miners. Over the week though, the index slumped 0.85%.

US markets hit record highs ahead of the earnings season which kicks off at the end of this week. Boeing stood out after delivering a record number of aircraft over the past year and remains ahead of rival Airbus. Commodity prices have also improved.

The ASX 200 is down 10 points or 0.2% at mid-session, held back by falls in the telco & financial sectors. Overnight, the US tax reform bill was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

American markets finished in the red despite both chambers of Congress voting in favour of the biggest tax reforms in over 30 years. The company tax rate is set to drop from 35% to 21% from January 2018.

US equities lost ground overnight after two days of gains despite the House of Reps passing the tax reform bill. Apple, Goldman Sachs and Visa were the three main weights on American shares.

The local sharemarket has followed a weak lead from Wall Street on Wednesday. Overnight, the US House of Representatives passed the tax reform bill. It’s widely expected to be passed by the Senate this week.

The local sharemarket is rallying on Tuesday – after US markets again hit fresh record highs overnight. The ASX 200 is up 28 points or 0.5% to 6,067 – hitting a near 10-year high.

The local sharemarket is off to a strong start, boosted by stronger commodity prices & a positive lead from Wall St. The ASX 200 is up 39 points or 0.7% to 6,036.

The local sharemarket is off to a strong start, boosted by stronger commodity prices & a positive lead from Wall St. The ASX 200 is up 39 points or 0.7% to 6,036.

US sharemarkets hit record highs on Friday on optimism US tax reforms will get across the line this week. Republicans released the final version of their tax bill at the weekend and lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday.

The local sharemarket is extending recent gains, with the ASX 200 up 10 points or 0.20% to 6,032. Employment data for the month of November has come in much stronger than expected with 61,600 jobs added to the economy.

Shares in Myer dropped almost 10% after the department store owner issued a profit warning today. The ASX 200 closed down 0.2% – snapping a five session winning streak.

The ASX 200 is up 0.2% at mid-session, supported by a 14% surge in Westfield shares following news of a $32.8b takeover.