Building Material & Const

Macmahon Holdings has revised down earnings guidance for FY09 and in the view of Citi this suggests increased pressure on earnings for the likes of Leighton and Downer EDI as well.

Reassuring words from the Treasury Secretary encouraged a bounce back from yesterday’s steep drop. Dow up 127.

Leighton stands to be a winner from government infrastructure spending but is this enough to offset negative growth?

Australian retail sales for February were weaker than expected and soft non-residential construction numbers add to the case for not only more rate cuts but additional fiscal stimulus.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia a number of factors support the view the Australian housing market is far less vulnerable to a downturn than is the case elsewhere.

The recent run in the share price is too much too fast and has little in the way of tangible support, say brokers.

Australian housing starts fell further in the December quarter and Westpac expects this will add to the current property shortfall.

The Dow surged a Guinness-fuelled 178 points last night as suddenly the world is a rosy place.

Deflation is the biggest threat currently facing the global economy. How would this affect the stock market?

ANZ Bank expects the Australian property market will continue to weaken.