HotCopper technical problems. Couldn't launch the thread. Thanks...

HotCopper technical problems. Couldn't launch the thread. Thanks Endless. Half-time round-up:

Australian shares rallied this morning but underperformed Asian markets as US futures pointed to a strong start to the trading week.

At lunchtime the ASX 200 was ahead 31 points or 0.7% at 4327, around half of the index's initial rise. An improvement in risk appetite was evident as small caps outperformed blue chips (Small Ords +1.1% v S&P/ASX 20 +0.7%) and cyclical sectors bested defensives (industrials +1.3% and financials +0.9% v utilities +0.1% and consumer staples -0.1%).

US futures rallied as investors continued to take hope from changes of political leadership in Greece and Italy. Dow futures were recently up 65 points or 0.5%. Japan's Nikkei added 1.21%, Shanghai 0.92% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng 2.24%.

"The situation in Greece has dramatically improved with the appointment of a unity government out there, and Italy looks like it's getting close to a resolution," Angus Gluskie of White Funds Management in Sydney told Bloomberg. "Two of the largest concerns of the market are being partially taken off the table."

Crude oil futures eased 19 cents this morning to US$99.03 a barrel. Spot gold was $2.60 stronger at US$1,791.10 an ounce. The dollar was buying US$1.0306.


An all-too-familiar fade on the index after the initial pop higher. Disappointing. Been a struggle to find trades these last few weeks. Played plenty of air shots this morning. Just missed CCC at 26.5 - would have been nice. Watching ELD and NCR.