Financial Markets, Stocks & Commodities

Australian reports

• Aust markets: ASX receives flat to positive leads
• Aust dollar report: $A opens flat, dampened by Chinese data
• Aust credit close: Bonds weaker, traders reprice contracts

World reports

• World commodities: Oil prices hold, metals rise
• World markets: European markets slip back

Stocks to watch

CBZ, CIL, COE, IIN, LEI, MAH, MYR, SEV,

Starphrama sees positive safety results

Biotech Starpharma Holdings Ltd says the first trial of its VivaGel vaginal microbicide in sexually-active women has shown Vivagel to be safe.

Credit, debit card transaction fall 22%

The total value of credit and charge card transactions, including advances, fell by 22 per cent in January, RBA figures released show.

Fonterra to close Longburn cheese plant

Fonterra plans to stop making cheese at its Longburn plant near Palmerston North, and says other jobs at the site will only be available for some workers.

Aust stocks up at noon on broad-based gains

AAP 12:30AM Telstra was up one cent at $3.08 and Optus owner Singapore Telecommunication was flat at $2.47.

Takeovers - March 12

AAP 12:27AM COOTE INDUSTRIAL LTD (CXG): Elph P/L (Elph) is offering for 35% of the shares in the company which Elph does not currently own. Consideration is 26 cents cash for each CXG share he...

Aust stocks higher at noon with broad-based gains

AAP 12:20AM INDEX MOVEMENT POSITION INDEX MOVEMENT POSITION