AAP MARKETS REPORT for Friday, August 17 =2 Sydney

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2001
AAP MARKETS REPORT for Friday, August 17 =2 Sydney

In SYDNEY today, heavyweight News Corp will be the focus of the market, as investors
digest the media giant's earnings results released overnight.

Yesterday, the local market closed sharply lower, dragged down by News Corp and concerns
about weak results early in the Australian profit reporting season.

The S&P/ASX200 closed 35.7 points weaker at 3328.6 while the all ordinaries index lost
34.3 to 3273.5.

Overnight, News Corp posted an operating profit of $3.1 billion for the year to June
30, 2001, compared to a profit last year of $2.7 billion.

On the New York Stock Exchange, News Corp shares fell 12 cents, or 0.34 per cent, to
$35.68, while its limited voting stock dipped 48 cents, or 1.54 per cent, to $30.10.

Profit results out today include TAB Ltd.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the September SPI 200 futures contract was up six points
at 3337.0 on volume of 705 contracts.

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KEYWORD: MARKETS REPORT 2 SYDNEY

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