Posted on January 25th, 2012 
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| Indices | Close | Change | Chg Pct |
| AUDUSD | 1.0518 | 0.0026 | 0.25% |
| ASX 200 | 4271.30 | 47.07 | 1.1% |
| NIKKEI 225 | 8893.37 | 108.04 | 1.2% |
| HANG SENG | 20110.37 | 167.42 | 0.8% |
| S&P 500 E-MINI | 1314.75 | 3.25 | 0.2% |
Australian equities were carried higher after inflation was unchanged in the December quarter, beating
expectations of a 0.2% rise. Sentiment was boosted as market expectations of a further interest rate cut were
factored in. Brent Crude held above US$110 as Iran reiterated threats to close down the Straight of Hormuz.
The Aussie dollar held above US$1.50 after traders priced in a rate cut at the RBA’s next meeting. US Stock
Futures were up after, buoyed by mega earnings from Apple.
Financials lead the market as Major Banks – ANZ (A$21.42, +2.2%), Commonwealth Bank (A$51.00, +2.4%),
National Australia Bank (A$24.20, +2.0%), Westpac (A$21.30, +3.5%) – all were boosted by flat inflation stats.
Suncorp (A$8.36, +0.4%) was relatively flat despite reports that it and Westpac may cut staff next week.
Perpetual (A$20.23, -1.4%) closed lower on news that managed funds were down 2.55% from the September
quarter.
Materials lagged major gainers but still finished up. Atlas Iron (A$3.12, -4.3%) was down after cutting its
full-year ore shipping target from 6mt to 5.5mt to 5.7mt. BC Iron (A$2.73, -0.4%) and Fortescue Metals
(A$4.86, -1.2%) lagged despite forecasting a resource upgrade of their Bonnie East Deposit upon intersecting
iron ore mineralisation. #AGQ# was also sold off despite reporting a 1% increase in yearly production, exceeding
guidance, and reconfirming 2012 production. Finally Auzex Resources (A$0.22, – 2.2%), through its Bullabulling
JV, acquired the Western Australia Geko Gold Project for A$3 million.
Lynas (A$1.345, +5.1%) was a market leader after it secured US$225 million in funding through a bond issue.
The proceeds will cover costs for Phase 1 development of its Malaysian rare earths plant that Malaysian regulators
will make a decision on next week. Data#3 (A$1.27, -1.9%) reconfirmed but saw a decline in after tax profits from
soft consumer spending. Evolution (A$1.685, -0.6%) announced the combination of the Executive Chairman and
Managing Director roles as well as an 18% increase in quarterly production.
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