Tom Piotrowski provides a mid-session financial market update. The ASX 200 hits session lows dropping down close to 50 points at lunch.

The local stock market has seen a positive start to the week with the ASX 200 up by around 10 points but a lack of news has prevented further growth. Wotif shares have risen 24% to $3.31 amidst a takeover bid by Expedia.

The local sharemarket has just had its best week in four and a half months, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) rising by approximately 1.5 per cent over the past five days. Better than expected employment growth in the U.S. gave local investors an additional push forward today.

Tom Piotrowski provides a mid-session financial market update. Local stocks are higher for the 3rd day.

The Australian sharemarket continued to improve this afternoon, with local shares rising by close to 0.75 per cent. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) jumped by 0.7 per cent with all sectors finishing higher.

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski provides a mid-session financial market update

Tough last session for the markets. At present all sectors in the red for the last day of trade for the EOFY.

Sellers pushed the ASX 200 to the lowest levels of the session at the close. Over the month the ASX 200 shed 1.7% ,for the quarter the index was flat , for the financial the market rose 12.3%

Sellers got on top of the ASX200 in the end with the index ending close to session lows. Banks were the main weight, miners were helped by better iron ore prices.

ASX 200 is flatlining at lunchtime. Miners are higher on iron ore prices, TTS up on court ruling.

Buyers return on Thursday with every sector ending higher TAH & TTS up on hopes of a favourable verdict from the Victorian supreme court.

Sellers have pushed the market lower in early trade with every sector in the red with miners leading the way. TWE has held its ground despite announcing a $260m writedown.

The ASX 200 ended around session lows , every sector lost ground. There was more bad news for the retail sector with $KMD issuing a profit downgrade which saw the shares lose 12%.

The ASX 200 has started the week on the front foot helped my an improvement in iron ore prices which has seen miners attract the attention of buyers.

Sellers take advantage of better prices after recent gains, most sectors are in the red

What a difference a day makes; stocks higher on hopes that US interest rates will remain lower for longer after the Fed downgraded US growth forecasts.

The ASX 200 remains around the 5400 level on Wednesday. WPL shares are lower as institutions absorb the sale of 80mln shares overnight

ASX 200 stages a recovery to end in positive territory.

Tough start to the week – banks & retail lower, miners doing OK even with the weaker iron ore price.

Rising oil prices have seen energy as the only group to enjoy buying support today.

Consumer related stocks are under the microscope after recent profit downgrades the latest being Flight Centre (FLT).

The ASX 200 is trading around session highs at lunchtime with Financials leading the way, on the other side miners and retailers are getting attention from sellers.

The ASX 200 has recovered from session lows after a better than expected reading on economic growth for the first quarter.

Mid Session Report; balancing act; miners down, banks up, ASX edges higher. Karoon Gas (KAR) sell Browse Basin gas assets to Origin for $860mln

Further declines in the price of iron ore have continued to cast a long shadow over mining stocks on Friday which is where the losses for the market are concentrated.

Aussie market higher in low trade. Retailers WOW and WES in focus. Gold at 3½ mth low..

The ASX 200 ended well off the best levels of the day although on the positive note the index continues to consolidate above the 5500 mark. 

A quiet start to trade on Tuesday has seen the ASX 200 give up it’s modest gain to trade flat at lunch. SUN shares are down 3% on news of a $500m writedown

Aussie market has started stronger today as expected. In a quiet day on market – US and UK markets closed tonight.

The ASX 200 ends above the 5500 level on Monday with most sectors ending higher. Compliance and governance manager SAI global jumps 17% on a takeover bid.

The ASX 200 has added to yesterdays gains in early trade on Friday. Mining and energy stocks are the only 2 sectors in the red after yesterdays improvement.

Miners lead the market lower on Wednesday whilst consumer confidence figures have added to headwinds for local stocks

Local stocks recovered some of the ground lost on Monday.

Resource stocks lead the ASX 200 lower on Monday as the iron ore price threatens to move into double digits.

Investment markets have taken the Federal Budget in their stride. Banks stocks going ex has weighed on the ASX200 in early trade on Wednesday.

Stocks show no pre budget nerves ending at session highs for the ASX 200 led by the miners.

Budget countdown

Tough day for the markets. Banks hit by ANZ (ANZ) going EX Div today.

Local stocks have been under pressure on Wednesday. Sellers applied more pressure after weaker retail sales data from the ABS.

The Australian market slowly sliding into the red. Banks in focus after Westpac’s (WBC) 1H14 result.