The Australia stock market finished the day higher as the ASX 200 added 8 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 9.2 points. The volume was very light today and the public holiday in Japan also impacted international trading volumes.

Steven Daghlian provides a mid-session financial market update. The Australian market sees its first falls since Wednesday last week.

After opening at a 6-year high of 5559.4 points this morning, the Australian market remained steady throughout the day; the All Ords dropping slightly to 5509.9 points for a solid close.

The Aussie market came under pressure within 30 minutes of the start of trade today, then thanks to a late surge, local shares higher for the second time this week. The All Ordinaries Index closed up 0.16% or 8.8pts higher; closing above 5,500 points for first time in a week.

The Australian market struggled to hold on to early gains as the banks and mining stocks came under heavy selling.

The Australian market closed the first day of the trading week on a high, with the All Ordinaries opened up 16pts higher at the beginning of the session and by the close the markets had added 21.2pts and the ASX 200 up 24.6pts to 5,511.4pts.

Steven Daghlian provides a mid-session financial market update. Most sectors higher at lunch.

Steven Daghlian provides an afternoon financial market update. The ASX 200 closes higher at the end of day.

After a solid night in US Aussie market lifted from the open of trade and by the close ended higher. The All Ordinaries Index added 12.1 points to 5454.3 points with most sectors closing higher.

Steven Daghlian provides an afternoon financial market update. The local market finished softer for the end of the 3rd day with the All Ords down 1% to 5442.

Steven Daghlian provides an afternoon financial market update. The ASX 200 has had a quieter week in comparison to its last.

The Australian sharemarket had its best day in two weeks, with the All Ordinaries Index rising by 1.4%. The gains were the most significant in a fortnight with all sectors finishing higher.

Local stocks kicked off the week higher, with better than expected Chinese data and record highs in U.S. markets helping. The mining sector was a standout while the Australian dollar also firmed. Petrol prices are rising at the pump.

Local stocks fell for the second day largely due to energy sector weakness. Home prices in China fell for the first time in two years and the Australian dollar lost some ground.

Local stocks wiped out yesterday’s improvements, with a weaker iron ore price together with geopolitical concerns in Iraq and Russia holding markets back.

The ASX 200 ended lower for a second day on Thursday with sellers showing preference for the materials sectors, although most sectors ended in the red.

Yesterday’s modest rise wiped out. Consumer confidence only slightly higher, miners struggling due to weaker iron ore price and the Australian dollar remains firm.

Markets slipped for the third day, with weaker than expected trade statistics not helping.

Stocks fell for the 4th time in 5 trading sessions despite the fastest pace of quarterly economic growth in 2-years. The miners came under selling pressure with commodity prices remaining sluggish.

Local stocks fell for the second day but only for the second time in a fortnight. A strong lead from Wall Street was overshadowed by a weaker iron ore price.

Sellers returned to the ASX on Thursday having been absent in any meaningful fashion for 7 sessions.

Local stocks were boosted by better than expected Chinese data at lunch. The miners rose partly thanks to higher iron ore prices.

Local stocks staged an impressive recovery this afternoon. The iron ore price is at a 20-month low and U.S. stocks lost ground last night. Consumer sentiment slumped and wages growth is sluggish.

Concerns about China’s economy pushed the Australian sharemarket substantially lower today. A 2% slump in the price of iron ore hurt our miners. No sectors escaped the selling.

Local stocks followed the weak U.S. lead today. Utilities edged higer, miners slumped and banks struggled. Goodman received a sweetened takeover deal and Telstra is flirting with a 9-year high.

Local stocks rose for the third day. CBA hit another record high of $81.30 today, the miners fell modestly and the Australian dollar buys US93.7c.

Today’s weakness had less to do with the Federal Budget and more to do with two major banks trading ex-dividend (NAB and WBC). The Australian dollar rose above US94c for the first time in a month.

Local stocks off to negative start, with investors quiet ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Budget. Miners hit hard, credit card balances soft and business confidence improved.

Weaker close as banks held back market. JB Hi-Fi surged thanks to a $27m buyback to improve its capital position. The Reserve Bank lifted its view on economic growth; however rate moves are unlikely in the next few months.

Local stocks made up for yesterday’s falls with a 0.7% rise. Jobs growth was better than expected in April while China recorded a firmer than forecast trade report. Mining stocks surged.

The Australian sharemarket fell for the first time in four sessions. Retail sales rose by a less than expected 0.1% in March, Kathmandu was a standout after a gain in quarterly sales and the Aussie dollar is firmer.

The Reserve Bank decided to keep rates on hold at 2.5%, Australia recorded its fourth straight trade surplus and the local sharemarket expanded for the third session.

Shares recovered late to rise for 3rd time this week. All Ordinaries Index still slumped by 1.4% this week. Key jobs report out tonight in the U.S. & holiday in China kept investors quiet.

Despite a better start this morning, the Australian sharemarket lost ground for the second time this week. A fall in iron ore held back the miners, in particular Fortescue Metal (FMG). The iron ore producer sells almost all of it exports to China.

The Australian sharemarket gained some ground following a big tumble on Tuesday. Woolworths (WOW) fell short of its quarterly sales expectations and slumped by close to 2% on the local market.

Market all over the shop in early trade now in the red. Retail in focus.

Local stocks have recorded their biggest tumble since 14 April, with all sectors finishing in the red. Commonwealth Bank hit an intra-day record high of $79.95.

Local stocks rose for the 6th day, with the All Ordinaries Index trading close to a 6-year high. Volume was healthy due to equity options expiry yesterday, which tends to boost volume.

Stocks have kicked off this shortened trading week a touch higher. Westpac and ANZ broke through record highs, while the miners lost ground. Petrol prices recorded their biggest weekly gains in four-months.

Local shares are firmer for the third straight day, with the ASX200 and All Ordinaries both trading above 5400pts. Oil and gas producers Woodside and Santos are mixed following production reports while newly listed Japara is up by more tha 20%.