daytrades jan 27 afternoon

Thanks Tweets. Half-time round-up:

Shares are lower at lunchtime for the first session in three, with gains in resource stocks off-set by falls among the big banks and defensive stocks.

At 1pm the ASX 200 was off 6 points or 0.13% at 4801. The gold sector topped the handful of rising sectors, up 0.6%, followed by health +0.5% and metals & mining +0.1%. The industrial sector was 0.7% lower after Downer EDI announced a $250 million write-down after delays to a train project.

The economy slowed in November, according to a report issued this morning. The WBC-MI Leading Index eased to an annualised growth rate of 3.5% in November from 4.4% the previous month but above the long-term average of 3.2%. Read more here.

The dollar fell sharply after Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced this morning that rebuilding after the recent floods will cost the nation at least $5.6 billion. Ms Gillard said the federal government will give Queensland $2 billion towards the reconstruction project. The dollar dropped around a third of a cent to 99.62 U.S. cents.

Asian markets were mixed. Japan's Nikkei was ahead 0.29% but Shanghai fell 0.7% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 0.3% shortly after the open. Dow futures were recently at -1.

Crude oil futures were little changed cents this morning at $87.60 a barrel. Spot gold was 60 cents weaker at $1,342.40 an ounce.


Another busy morning, with bounce scalps taken in TIS, BYR and SXL. Should have made money on DOW but entered late, misplaced my BOS and exited for brokerage. Lame effort, laddie. Currently holding EIO, YRR and RCP from the lows.