Australian Stocks Decline, Led by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto
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Australian&#39;s benchmark S&amp;P/ASX 200 index had its biggest drop in two months, led by BHP Billiton, on concern that record oil prices will slow economic growth and demand for metals.
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The world's third-largest miner Rio Tinto said Wednesday its full-year net profit fell almost two percent in 2007 to 7.312 billion US dollars as it again rejected a takeover bid by rival BHP Billiton.
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Following is a list of companies whose shares may rise or fall in Australia. This preview includes news announced after markets closed Dec. 24.
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The Australian sharemarket closed lower today, dragged down by weakness in resources and media stocks. The benchmark S&amp;P/ASX 200 index was 14.
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The leading share index slipped into negative territory as the Lonmin mining group slumped by almost seven percent after cutting its full-year sales forecast, dealers said Monday.
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UK blue chips have closed lower, with a cautious morning by Wall Street and sliding commodity stocks outweighing another scattering of M&amp;A stories and pulling the FTSE 100 back from Friday's six-year highs.
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MELBOURNE Shares of Qantas Airways, Australia&#39;s biggest airline, on Thursday plunged to a 12-month low amid concern that surging fuel prices would erode earnings and after the company reported earnings that missed analysts&#39; forecasts.
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London equities fell in opening trade on Wednesday as news of lower  copper output at Rio Tinto preceded losses in the mining sector.
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Leading shares closed weaker, albeit off session lows, as Wall Street remained weak amid continued investor concerns over fresh highs in crude oil prices, with construction materials firm RMC shining out from the gloom after agreeing to a 2 billion pound takeover, dealers said.
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Sharp falls in Anglo American and miner Gold Fields pushed South Africa&#39;s benchmark JSE Top-40 index 1.7 percent lower on Monday.
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THE Australian market was dragged down by a sharp drop in insurance giant Axa Asia Pacific Holdings to close lower yesterday. The benchmark S&amp;P/ASX 200 index finished 10.
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European stock markets dropped in morning deals, with mining and metals stocks among the biggest decliners.
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Blue chips closed lower after Wall Street fell back in reaction to stronger crude prices.
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UK leading shares closed weaker, albeit off day lows after a negative trading session.
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A sharp slide in global metals  markets hammered industrial and mining stocks such as JFE  Holdings and BHP Billiton Thursday, while oil prices crawled  back toward record highs.
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The FTSE 100 closed lower, weighed down by a weak mining sector and disappointing trading news from Standard Chartered, although a positive morning by Wall Street helped British blue-chips finish above session lows, dealers said.
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Gold prices plunged on Monday to below  $600 an ounce for the first time in more than two months and  silver lost 8 percent as falling energy prices and a weak  technical outlook sent sell signals to investors.