Iron Ore

Europe was quickly forgotten last night after the announcement of a big LBO sent the Dow scurrying back towards 14k once more, closing up 99. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

European fears returned last night to snap Wall Street out of its complacency. Dow down 129. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

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

It’s been a stall at the death, but Wall Street remains upbeat following a remarkable January. Dow down 49. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

Bulks are not expected to endure the wild rides of 2012 while there’s some potential surprises in copper and aluminium. And then there’s sugar.

Insurers can cope with the latest Queensland flood — even Suncorp — according to brokers. Minimal impact so far on mines.

It came as a shock to Wall Street that the US economy actually contracted in the fourth quarter, but not too much of a shock. Dow down 44. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

As the Dow rapidly closes the gap to 14,000, all talk on Wall Street is to whether US stocks have shot up too far, too fast. Dow up 72. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

The Nasdaq looked ugly, but the S&P split the difference of another up-day for the Dow on solid data. Dow up 46. (Accessible only for subscribers before 10:15 AEDST)

BHP may exceed production guidance in the medium term but with commodity prices subdued, cost reduction is the next challenge.