Bonds/Interest Rates

Consumer confidence in Australia has bounced in a much stronger fashion than was expected.

Wall Street surged higher once more in the wake of positive initial earnings. Intel’s post-market result suggests a seventh consecutive rally tonight. Dow up 146.

National Australia Bank’s Monthly Business Survey for June showed business oconfidence levels were steady as conditions improved slightly.

The recently established Dagong credit rating agency has made its first sovereign assessments, rating US bonds AA, Britain’s AA- and Australia’s AAA.

Alcoa’s after-the-bell result beat expectations and that’s all that matters. Wall Street went nowhere all session as it waited. Dow up 18.

Macquarie believes the market is missing the point as it upgrades Westpac and revisits its conviction calls. RBC updates its resource sector preferences. Morgan Stanley looks at small caps.

A wrap of events affecting the market on Friday night and the weekend and a preview of the week ahead.

A brief look at important company events and economic data releases next week.

Lower jobless claims helped Wall Street build on Wednesday’s surge as risk appetite continues to return. Dow up 120.

A snapshot of economist responses to today’s stronger than expected Australian labour market data for June.