The Aussie markets struggled to maintain momentum following a 1% jump by lunch, finishing the day just above where it started. An unexpected drop in unemployment in the US on Friday encouraged investors here with consumer and property trusts showing strength.

However, gains in those stocks were countered by declines from the big four banks and heavyweight miners.

At the end of the day, the All Ords gained 6.1 to 4,309.2 and the ASX/200 added 4.7 ot 4,304.1. Over 2.6 billion shares, or $4.6 billion had changed hands.

Weakness among gold miners and heavyweight Rio Tinto, the Materials and Resources sector down 0.6%.

Rio shed 3.3% after China's State Secrets Bureau accused the Australian miner of costing China’s steel mills over $100 billion in excess charges over a period of six years. Four Rio employees remain detained on charges of alleged espionage.

Rival BHP Billiton dipped 0.6%, while Fortescue lost 5.7% around 3pm after posting a net profit for the 2009 financial year of $508 million up from a loss of $772 million in the previous year.
OZ Minerals was flat.

Steelmakers OneSteel and Bluescope climbed 1.7% and 2.5%. Alumina added 1.7%.

Macarthur Coal spiked 4.5%.

Newcrest and Lihir Gold lost 0.8% and 1.1% as the price of the precious metal fell on the NYMEX.

Large capped Energy stocks were down with the sector 0.3% retreating. Woodside and Oil Search dipped 0.4% and 0.5%, Santos retreated 0.7% and Origin shed 1%. 

Centennial Coal climbed 4.4%, while Whitehaven and Aquila jumped 9.5% and 4.9%.

Paladin slid 0.4%, while Felix Resources was placed in trading halt amid speculation of a takeover bid.

Banks and Financials were flat. ANZ lost 0.5%. NAB drifted 0.2% lower, while Westpac and CBA edged 0.7% and 1.4% below the line.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares were placed in trading halt as it revealed it would tap the market for $300 million. The company also reported a 58% drop in full year profit.

Bank of Queensland jumped 5.6%.

QBE was flat, with most of the other insurers below the line

Investment Bank Macquarie Group advanced 1.2%.

The Consumer Discretionary sector added 0.7%. Heavyweight media company Newcorp put on 3.4%, while retailer Billabong rose 3.2%.

Harvey Norman tacked on 0.3% and Pacific Brands rose 1.3%. West Australian News weakened 2.6%.

Premier Investments climbed 4% after upgrading its profit guidance.

Entertainment and media company Village Roadshow spiked 18.1% as it was revealed its major shareholder, Village Roadshow Corporation Pty Ltd, was considering privatising the company. The company also said it had sold its Greek business for about $80 million.

Gamers Crown and Tatts were 1.1% and 0.8% stronger.

2.5% and 1.9% gains from Wesfarmers and Woolworths sent the Consumer Staples sector up 1.8%.

Beverage makers Coca-Cola Amatil and Fosters added 0.8% and 1.1%.

Industrials were led 0.6% higher by gains among the majors. Brambles and Leightons put on 3.5% and 1.9%, while Qantas retreated 0.8%.

Online job classifieds provider Seek jumped 5.6%.

Crane Group sank 9.4% after reporting a 28% fall in full year profit.

Transurban shed 0.2%.   

Property Trusts was the best performing sector, climbing 2.7%. Westfield rose 2.6%, while Stockland, GPT and Dexus were up between 1.9% and 3.5%.

Goodman Group surged 15.7% after completing its equity raising.

A 1.7% rise from Telstra resulted in the Telecommunications sector close up 1.4%.

Around the region, the Nikkei 225 advanced 112.2 to 10,524.3, the NZSE50 was up 12.0 at 3,081.0. The Hang Seng rose 449.9 to 20,852.2.

Spot gold was trading at US$954.70 per ounce and the Aussie was buying US$0.8386.

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Village Roadshow looking to privatise
Village Roadshow shares jumped 17% in early trade after saying that its major shareholder, Village Roadshow Corporation Pty Ltd, was considering privatising the company. At the same time Village Roadshow said it had off-loaded its Greek business for around $80 million to a private European investor.

At the bell, Village shares were up 21.5c to $1.40.

Macquarie Leisure asset value down 9%
Macquarie Leisure Trust Group said following recent revaluations its total tangible assets have decreased 9% to $620 million at 30 June 2009 from $681 million prior to devaluations. The company said the lower valuations reflected earnings trends and a general softening in cap rates reflective of current market conditions.

At the finish, Macquarie Leisure Trust shares were up 2c to $1.42.

BEN reports profit slide, capital raising
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank reported an after tax profit before significant items of $173.2 million for year ended 30 June 2009, down 26% on the prior corresponding period. The bank also announced a $300 million equity raising.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares were halted at $8.13.

Just Group like-for-like sales down
Premier Investments said sales for its 100% owned subsidiary Just Group Limited increased 4% to $845 million in the year to 25 July 2009. Premier expects its consolidated profit before income tax for the period 1 July 2008 to 25 July 2009 to be within the range of $106m to $108m.  

At the close of trade, Premier Investments shares were trading up 24c to $6.22.

Crane Group profit down 28%
Crane Group has announced a $43.6 million post-tax profit for the year ended 30 June, 2009, down 28.4% from the previous corresponding period. The result, broadly in line with previous guidance, included $12.4 million in restructuring costs as the company adapted to the economic downturn.

At the close, Crane Group shares were down $1.05 to $10.07.