The market is up 76. The SFE Futures were up 64 this morning.

Wall Street closed up 201 overnight. The S&P 500 is now up 7% from the 10 month low it reached earlier this month. Earnings numbers were better than expected overnight and a bill was passed to restore $3.4bn of unemployment benefits that were previously cut. The oil price put on $2.74 to $79.30 and Gold improved $3.80 to $1195.60. The Aussie dollar also went up – now at 89.33c compared to 87.66c yesterday morning.

In other news…

  • Woodside Petroleum (WPL) — Production Numbers — they announced a 10% fall in production during the 2nd Q and down 9% on the previous quarter. They did mention a date (end of 2010) for final investment decision on second production train at Pluto LNG project. WPL up 2.17% to 4190c.
  • Sonic Healthcare (SHL) released a Market Update. They confirmed their FY earnings guidance and said they have achieved organic growth of 3.6% in the US. They will report on August 24. SHL up 16c to 1010c.
  • AGL Energy (AGK) has raised $338m in the US private placement market and plans to use the funds to cancel existing bank debt facilities. AGK up 5c to 1493c.
  • Leighton Holdings (LEI) has completed a $350m rights issue in the US. CEO Peter Gregg said the placement was undertaken to “further diversify and extend the maturity profile of the Company’s core debt portfolio.” LEI up 82c to 2928c.
  • MAP Group says first half 2010 earnings at Sydney Airport, of which it holds 57%, increased 12.9% as passenger numbers recovered.
  • Bendigo Mining (BDG) announced yesterday they had agreed to buy a 19.9% stake in BCD Resources (BCD). BCD will sell 45m shares to BDG at 11.5c each, representing 10.67% of the company.
  • Reporting season kicks off next week with GUD Holdings (GUD) and AFIC (AFI) releasing their FY results on Monday. Australand Properties, Alesco Corp and Energy Resources Australia also release results.
  • Andean Resources (AND) down 13c to 370c – they issued 70m new shares at 335c (Canadian) to raise $C234.5m before costs.
  • The price index of Australian imports increased 1.9% in the 2nd Q. The price of index for exports rose 16.1%.
  • Stock hitting fresh yearly highs today include: Takeover target Centennial Coal (CEY), Arrow Energy spin off Dart Energy (DTE), Equinox Minerals (EQN) and Independence Group (IGO). DuluxGroup have hit a new low of 242c a share.

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