Market calms after ratings cut shockAustralian stocks have recouped more than half their early losses to trade down 0.7 per cent, with coal miners propping up the market, but investors remain spooked after America's credit rating was downgraded for the first time in its history.
Around midday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 34.4 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 4071, after losing as much as 2.5 per cent at the open, while the broader All Ordinaries Index fell 26.1 points or 0.6 per cent, to 4143.6.
The losses wiped another $10 billion from the market's value, adding to the $100 billion that was shed last week.
For market data by sector, click here
For share price information, click here
For the latest currency movements, click here
Advertisement: Story continues below
The Australian dollar also lost further ground against other currencies, dropping below $US1.04, before staging a modest rebound.
Following the huge losses on global sharemarkets last week amid concern about the strength of the US economic recovery and debt problems in Europe, interest rate futures today point to a rate cut in September.
Across the region, Japan's Nikkei 225 index was off 1.1 per cent in recent trade while New Zealand's top 50 index was off 3 per cent.
Hopes for a bounce on the local sharemarket after the Friday's horror were dashed after Standard and Poor's downgraded United States government debt from AAA to AA+, largely because of the failure of US leaders to reach a consensus on containing the country's spiralling debt.
But Treasurer Wayne Swan said Australia’s economy was in good shape and could cope with the worst the world can throw at it.
‘‘There is not a G20 finance minister who wouldn’t swap places with me in the environment we are in at the moment,’’ he said this morning.
Mr Swan said it was too early make a judgment that the world was facing a second financial crisis. ‘‘We will cross that bridge if we come to it."
Some opportunities seen
CommSec market analyst Juliette Saly said the domestic share market reacted with shock to US government debt being downgraded.
‘‘But investors seem to have calmed down a bit this morning after we saw an initial sellout,’’ Ms Saly said.
Gold stocks fared well after the price of the precious metal hit a new record high of $US1699.70 per ounce, up from $US1651.80 on Friday.
Among gold producers, AngloGold Ashanti was up 9 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $8.03, Eldorado Gold Corp had added 37 cents, or 2.2 per cent, to $16.97 and Newcrest was 20 cents firmer at $39.40.Ms Saly said positive corporate news helped to boost the market. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank reported a 41 per cent increase in full year net profit to $342.1 million, but said it expects the market to remain volatile in the period ahead. Shares in the bank were up 9 cents, or 1.12 per cent, at $8.16.
While JB Hi-Fi posted a fall in 2010-11 net profit to $109.70 million, from $118.65 million for the previous financial year, it revealed plans to expand.
‘‘It’s going to open 16 new stores across 2012 and also the dividend they paid to shareholders looked okay, so JB Hi-Fi is bucking the trend in the retail space,’’ Ms Saly said.
JB Hi-Fi shares were up 12 cents at $14.47.
Coal and Allied soars
Coal and Allied shares soared after its largest shareholders, mining giant Rio Tinto and Japan’s Mitsubishi Development, made a conditional, incomplete and non-binding proposal for the shares in the miner they do not already hold. Shares in Coal & Allied had surged $25.90, or 28.5 per cent, to $116.90 while Rio Tinto was down $1.68, or 2.3 per cent, at $70.32.
BHP Billiton eased 60 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to $37.52.
The energy sector also provided a boost, with Woodside up 77 cents, or 2.2 per cent, at $35.32, while Santos was 10 cents firmer at $11.62.
The big four banks were mixed.ANZ was down 12 cents at $18.98, Commonwealth Bank was 34 cents stronger at $46.60, Westpac was 5 cents higher at $19.32 and National Australia Bank was down 18 cents at $21.59.
AAP, Reuters, with BusinessDay
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/ ... z1UPB6OrzWOJO, las mineras auríferas subieron su cotización en la bolsa.