China and North Korean concerns hit markets.Yesterday PBoC set the CNY reference rate at its lowest level since April 2011Brent crude ( The key European oil price) at an 11 year low with the US$ NYMEX off 5% to US$34.00/bl

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The ASX 200 has fallen 1.2%, held down by a 2.5% drop in the materials sector and a 1.2% loss in the financial sector. The selling worsened in afternoon trade following news North Korea had successfully carried out a nuclear weapons test. 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 is down 0.8% extending losses for a fourth straight session. Every sector is losing ground, with mining & energy sectors the biggest drags. 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 sharemarkets were mixed on Tuesday. Shares in Apple fell by 2.5%, weighing on major indexes, on reports that the company will wind back iPhone production by 30% in the current quarter. Shares in Smith & Wesson rose by 11.1% as people look to buy guns ahead of tighter background check laws on purchases being imposed. At the close of trade the Dow Jones index was up by 10 points or 0.1% after earlier being down 110 points. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% while the Nasdaq was down by almost 12 points or 0.2%. Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel

free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

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The CommSec Media Team

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 sharemarkets were mixed on Tuesday. Shares in Apple fell by 2.2%, weighing on major indexes, on reports that the company will wind back iPhone production by 30% in the current quarter. European shares steadied on Tuesday with gains fuelled by mining and telecom stocks. The FTSEurofirst 300 index rose by 0.7% with the German Dax up by 0.3% while the UK FTSE lifted by 0.7%. In London trade, mining company shares rose with shares in BHP Billiton higher by 1.4% with Rio Tinto up by 1.9%.

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel

free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

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The CommSec Media Team

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.

Selling continued in late trade with the ASX 200 ending the session down 86 points or 1.6%.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 Shanghai Composite is up 0.8% on Tuesday after dropping 7% on Monday on the back of worse than expected PMI data for December. 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 is down 1.1% with concerns about the Chinese economy weighing on investor sentiment after the Shanghai Composite dropped 7% yesterday.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.

Dick Smith has been placed in voluntary administration after failing to secure further funding from its lenders. Shares in the troubled electronics retailer have been suspended. 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 sharemarkets fell on Monday as investors reacted to the same concerns as investors in Europe: weaker Chinese economic data, Middle East tensions and a slump in the Chinese sharemarket. After being down 467 points, the Dow Jones index closed down by 276 points 

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel

free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

Kind Regards,

The CommSec Media Team

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.