Financial Markets, Stocks & Commodities

Australian reports

• Aust markets: Rate cut lifts shares to post-GFC high
• Aust dollar report: Rate cut gives the $A a pummelling
• Aust credit close: Aust bonds rally after rate cut

World reports

• World commodities: Commodities markets summary
• World markets: International markets roundup

Stocks to watch

BPT, SVW, FDC, NVN, NVT, PYL, WPL, OSH, STO,

Banks review rates after RBA cut

The big banks are reviewing their home loan rates after the central bank cut the cash rate to a record low.

Navitas shares fall as profit slides

Shares in education provider Navitas have taken a sharp drop after the company's half year profit fell.

Novion, Federation in $11 billion merger

Shopping centre giants Novion Property Group and Federation Centres have announced a $11 billion merger that would create a major real estate group.

Stokes takes major Beach Energy stake

Kerry Stokes' Seven Group has taken an opportunistic 13.8 per cent stake in South Australian-based Beach Energy sending its shares soaring.

Melco Crown Ent opens Manila casino

Melco Crown Entertainment, of which James Packer is co-chairman, has formally opened its $US1 billion casino and entertainment resort in Manila.

Trade deficit halves in Dec

The trade balance stayed in the red for a ninth month, with a deficit of $436 million in December, following a deficit of $1.02 billion in November.