om Piotrowski speaks with Highfield Resources (HFR) Managing Director, Anthony Hall about the company’s potash projects in Spain, France and the UK.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The market is enjoying a seven session rally - its longest winning streak since December 2015. Energy, Mining and Financial stocks are all improving.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The local market has closed higher for a seventh straight session, its best winning streak since December 2015. The ASX 200 rose 0.3% to 5,429 - an 11 month high.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

US markets rose for the sixth day despite the Bank of England's surprise decision to keep rates unchanged at 0.5%. The market was pricing in an 80% chance of a rate cut. Data on China's economy in focus on Friday.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by

Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a

wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia

ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries

have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any

investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is

not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products,

and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or

taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this

reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report,

consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the

individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if

necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced

by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of

publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is

correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or

made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy,

reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the

Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or

damage arising from the use of this report.

The ASX 200 index is hovering around the 5,400 level on Thursday, helped by strong gains in the Healthcare and Telco sectors. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The ASX 200 has again closed near the best level of the year, rising 0.4% or 23 points to 5,411. All sectors, apart from the Materials and Energy sectors improved. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

A rise in commodity prices is helping energy and mining stocks climb higher on Wednesday. The ASX 200 is up 0.5% to 5,380.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

CommSec Market Analyst Juliana Roadley takes a look at the key themes likely to dominate this August reporting season. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The ASX 200 has closed near the best level of the year, rising 35 points or 0.7% to 5,388. Mining, energy and financial stocks were the best performers today. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

US markets finished mixed but near record highs overnight. A report highlighting a surprise rise in fuel stockpiles pushed the oil price 4.5% lower, taking energy stocks with it. Data pointing to signs of slowing consumer spending held back consumer discretionary companies. Local shares are set for a better start and an update on Australian employment will be key at 11.30am AEST. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by

Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a

wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia

ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries

have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any

investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is

not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products,

and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or

taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this

reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report,

consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the

individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if

necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced

by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of

publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is

correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or

made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy,

reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the

Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or

damage arising from the use of this report.