Half-time round-up: Stocks were lower this morning but...

Half-time round-up:

Stocks were lower this morning but recovering as regional markets headed north.

At lunchtime the ASX 200 was down 15 points or 0.32% at 4843 and well off its morning low of 4811. The mining sector was the main drag on the market, down 0.8% after pullbacks in resources prices on Friday. Advancing sectors were scarce but IT gained 0.6% and telecoms 0.3%.

Asian markets shook off a weak lead from Wall Street this morning. Japan's Nikkei rallied 0.99% and South Korea's Kospi was up 0.5%. Dow futures were modestly positive at +17. Crude oil futures added nearly 20 cents at $79.88 a barrel. The spot gold price was little changed at $1054.90.


A great start to the session here with early runs in BTA and PRU but heavy going since. Got into ABY too early with my first dip but added at 1.22. Also took KCN too soon - no let up in the selling yet.