Market News

ASX receives flat to positive leads

12/03/2010 7:49:33 AM

(AAP) The Australian market has received flat to positive leads from overseas markets overnight, with Wall Street edging into positive territory in late afternoon trade, and precious and base metals higher, although oil was marginally virtually flat.

At 0730 AEDT on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index contract was five points higher at 4,824 points.

In economic news on Friday, the Reserve Bank of Australia releases credit card data for January, and the Australian Office of Financial Management issues details of its next tender of indexed bonds

In equities news, NZ-based retailer The Warehouse Group, which is listed both in Australia and NZ, released first half results early on Friday, posting net profit up 17.3 per cent at $NZ57.4 million ($A44.08 million).

In Australia on Thursday, the share market closed marginally lower as investors worried that China may move to cool economic growth after a higher than expected inflation figure.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 5.8 points, or 0.12 per cent, lower at 4,814.2 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index dipped 4.3 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 4,825.5 points.