Daily FNArena News - Australia

GSJB Were adds Pacific Brands to its Conviction List while Credit Suisse looks at mid-cap resource companies and JP Morgan looks at the WA housing market.

Coal prices are already being set a much higher levels, iron ore prices are set to see even greater increases and copper’s getting up there again too. Is it a resource sector bonanza for investors?

Faced with tougher competition in the Australian diagnostic imaging market and reduced government spending the growth potential of Sonic Health’s German operations assumes greater importance.

We are now in grind-up phase in the stock market while Asciano comes into favour, more media upgrades are occurring and the home builder survey continues.

Westpac-MI Leading Indicators suggest economic activity in Australia is accelerating.

Speculation is rising again that Newcrest will look to take out Lihir. Meanwhile James Hardie defends its building products and the supermarket battle heats up.

The RBA minutes suggest rate rises ahead but not necessarily every month.

David Jones reports interim earnings on Wednesday and brokers see margins as a point of focus as the company continues to work on lowering costs.

Will banks be releasing unneeded provisions into profits shortly? How’s the housing market looking? And has the media sector really rebounded?

An improving iron ore price outlook is seen as especially good news for pellet producer Grange Resources.