Australian stocks traded lower after wholesale inflation increased 0.3% in the December quarter. Lynas Corp was halted ahead of a financing deal that will avert cash crisis at the company. BHP won a regulatory approval to expand its port facility in the Pilbara region.
U.S. stocks traded higher but financials were volatile after Citigroup reported a decline in earnings net income and Wells Fargo posted record profit on mortgage lending. Market sentiment in Europe was bolstered after demand for European debt was stronger than anticipated despite ratings downgrades.
Australian indexes closed higher on the optimism tracking the gains in the international markets and hopes of further monetary easing in China. High dollar forced more resource companies to halt materials processing and cut employment.
