Friday, July 27, 2007

Australian Shares Slump Most Since 2001, Completing Worst Week in 15 Years

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index tumbled
the most since September 2001, completing its worst week in 15
years. James Hardie Industries NV and BHP Billiton Ltd. led the
slide on concern a worsening U.S. housing slump will slow growth in
the world's biggest economy and prompt investors to shun stocks.

``You've got an economic impact from lower housing prices
and housing demand,'' said Simon Doyle, a strategist at Schroder
Investment Management Australia Ltd. in Sydney, which manages the
equivalent of $11.4 billion. ``That's where we feed back through
into the local market. If the U.S. is under question, there might
be a broader contagion.''


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

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