The Australian market looks set to open lower, following mixed movements on Wall Street but a higher close on European markets despite Italy being forced to pay record rates at a bond auction and intense pressure on eurozone finance ministers to avert economic meltdown.
At 0640 AEDT on Wednesday, the December share price index futures contract was down 19 points at 4,115.
In economic news on Wednesday, the Metcash judgment on the Franklins' takeover is due out.
Meanwhile, Centro Retail Trust and Centro Property Trust hold annual general meetings, as does Gloucester Coal.
In equities news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics releases Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure figures for Sept quarter 2011 while the Housing Industry Association (HIA) new home sales for October are released.
Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Tuesday:
AGG - ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI LTD - up three cents at $8.77
AngloGold Ashanti has reported a substantial increase in the gold resource estimate for its Tropicana project in Western Australia.
AUN - AUSTAR UNITED COMMUNICATIONS LTD - down 1.5 cents at $1.115
Regional pay TV operator Austar Communications has welcomed the competition regulator delaying its decision on FOXTEL's takeover bid.
BHP - BHP BILLITON LTD - up 13 cents at $34.98
VMG - VDM GROUP LTD - up 0.3 cents at 4.7 cents
Design and construction company VDM Group has won $30.6 million worth of work with BHP Billiton.
BKW - BRICKWORKS LTD - up two cents at $11.00
Brickworks will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday.
CPB - CAMPBELL BROTHERS LTD - steady at $49.00
Laboratory group Campbell Brothers has delivered a record interim profit and flagged a surge in its full year result.
HVN - HARVEY NORMAN HOLDINGS LTD - up two cents at $2.05
Harvey Norman will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday.
PMV - PREMIER INVESTMENTS LTD - down one cent at $5.16
Premier Investments, the owner of retail brands such as Just Jeans and Portmans, says trade improved in October and is in line with expectations in November.
UGL - UGL LTD - up seven cents at $12.45
Engineering firm UGL has secured $200 million in contracts tapping into Australia's resources boom.
Again I will echo what Endless used to say "Check open orders."
