iron ore

The correlation between US stocks and a benchmark commodities index has hit levels not seen since the 1980s.

The ASX 200 finished just 0.5 points lower at 7,683, but this was around 44 points below the session's early high. The cause? An ugly CPI!

The major brokers have reviewed BHP's quarterly report and we have their latest research, ratings, and price target updates.

Most of the ASX200's gain came from heavyweights Resources and Financials but gold and metals stocks featured highly in the best performers.

This episode's Signal or Noise panel is split on whether this breakout is a false signal or a generational opportunity.

In this edition of the Signal or Noise Rapid Fire, we take on the commodities world with lightning speed.

Gold's rally appears indestructible at the moment, and ASX gold stocks were again top of the pops today.

Recent data on the Chinese economy showed a pick up in industrial production, as well as copper, coal and iron ore imports.

Citi suggests a major reason for recent weakness in the iron ore price is a surge in supply hitting the market from non-traditional sources.

Iron ore miners helped the index to a modest but welcome gain. A rally in the iron price back above US$100/t was the catalyst.