NEW YORK - US stocks closed only slightly changed in a tense but mostly quiet session as the US government’s rescue plan for the financial sector was debated by congress.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 29 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 10,825.17.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 2.35 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 2,155.68 and the broad-market Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 2.35 points, or 0.2 per cent, to a close of 1,185.87.
LONDON - The London FTSE 100 index shed 40.5 points, or 0.79 per cent, to close at 5,095.57 points, as the US government bailout for the financial sector met with resistance from congress.
FRANKFURT - The DAX lost 15.66 points, or 0.26 per cent, to close at 6,052.87 points.
PARIS - The CAC 40 fell 25.28 points, or 0.61 per cent, to 4,114.54 points.
TOKYO - The Nikkei added 24.44 points, or 0.2 per cent, to close at 12,115.03 points.
HONG KONG - The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed up 89.14 points, or 0.47 per cent, at 18,961.99.
WELLINGTON - The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 31.49 points, or 0.975 per cent, to 3259.679 points.
SYDNEY - The Australian stock market has received an uncertain lead from the US, where stocks fell slightly in tense trading due to concerns that dealmaking in the US congress will change the shape of the government’s financial sector bailout.
At 0740 AEST, the Sydney Futures Exchange’s December Share Price Index contract was down 34 points at 5,017.
In news today, the Reserve Bank of Australia releases its Financial Stability Review.
The Housing Industry Association of Australia releases its new home sales data for August, while the Merrill Lynch and Capgemini Asia Pacific Wealth Report will be released.
ANZ chief executive Mike Smith will speak at an Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) lunch in Sydney.
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co Ltd will deliver its full year results, as will Brickworks and crop protection group Nufarm Ltd.
Mirrabooka Investments Ltd holds its annual general meeting.
Satellite communications company NewSat Ltd and Nexus Energy Ltd hold general meetings, while MDS Financial Group Ltd holds an extraordinary general meeting.
A Western Australia Mining Club lunch will be briefed by Mutiny Gold managing director John Greeve.
The Emissions Measurement and Information Systems conference begins in Sydney.
Yesterday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 58.4 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 4,981.9, while the broader All Ordinaries lifted 50.5 points, or 1.02 per cent, to 5,008.2.
NYMEX
Crude oil prices dipped after the US government reported a sharp drop in consumption, stoking worries about demand in the world’s largest energy consumer.
New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, fell 88 US cents a barrel to close at $US105.73.
In London, Brent North Sea crude for November slipped 63 US cents to settle at $US102.45.
COMEX
Gold continued to rise as investors sought safe-haven assets amid concerns over the effectiveness of the US government’s financial sector bailout.
Gold for December delivery rose $US3.80 to settle at $US895 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after earlier rising as high as $US907.80.
Other metals traded mixed. December silver rose 27 US cents to settle at $US13.44 an ounce on the Nymex, while December copper fell 4.55 US cents to settle at $US3.1065 an ounce.
