daytrading all day december 30, page-2

Markets:
Dow: 12,287 +136 +1.12%
Nasdaq; 2,614 +24 +0.92%
FTSE: 5,567 +59 +1.08%
Oil: 99.72 +0.36 +0.36%
$1US/AUD: 1.0138 0.0045

Australian market preview:
The Australian share market is expected to open higher after a relatively successful auction of Italian bonds improved market sentiment overnight.

At 0712 AEDT on Friday, the March 2012 share price index futures contract was 23 points or 0.57 per cent lower at 4,058.

Italy sold 7.0 billion euros ($A9.01 billion) worth of government bonds on Thursday night (AEDT) - below the maximum sought of 8.5 billion euros but with long-term rates holding below the danger threshold of 7.0 per cent which has previously set off alarm bells.

In equities news, financial markets close early on the last weekday before the new year, with the Australian Securities Exchange finishing trade at 1400 AEDT.

Stocks to watch on Friday:

OZL - OZ MINERALS - down 30 cents, or 2.9 per cent, at $10.11

OZ Minerals says around $US8 million ($A7.90 million) of copper concentrate may have spilled from a train that derailed in the Northern Territory because of floodwaters.

NVT - NAVITAS LTD - down six cents, or 1.7 per cent, at $3.49

Education company Navitas will continue its expansion in the United Kingdom with the establishment of a college with Birmingham City University.

NCM - NEWCREST MINING - down 91 cents, or three per cent, at $29.84

WPL - WOODSIDE PETROLEUM - down 24 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $30.99

RIO - RIO TINTO LTD - down 22 cents, or 0.36 per cent, at $60.30

BHP - BHP BILLITON LTD - down seven cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $34.50

Commodity prices fell as traders took profits and eyed the strong US dollar amid new concerns over the eurozone debt crisis.

Oil prices fell almost two per cent and metal prices lost over two per cent, putting downward pressure on mining and energy stocks.

Good luck!
Suzie.