Financial Markets, Stocks & Commodities

Australian reports

• Aust markets: US rate concerns drag on Aust market
• Aust dollar report: $A slumps on sliding commodities
• Aust credit close: Bonds climb as commodities fall

World reports

• World commodities: Commodities markets summary
• World markets: International markets roundup

Stocks to watch

ANZ, CBA, NAB, WBC, HSO, STO, WPL,

Wall St lower as dollar run weighs on oil

US markets have opened lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.49 per cent, the Nasdaq down 0.53 per cent and the S&P; down 0.63 per cent.

Resignations offered after Belgium attacks

Belgium's interior and justice ministers offered their resignations following the Brussels bombings, but were asked by the prime minister to stay on.

US home rental cost growth is slowing

US rents are rising more slowly, in a sign an influx of new apartment builds and low incomes may be dampening price growth.

Average US rate on 30-year mortgage falls

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on a US 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has slipped to 3.71 per cent from 3.73 per cent last week.

Britain's FTSE knocked by commodity shares

London's FTSE 100 index has closed down 1.5 per cent after a quiet trading session ahead of the four-day Easter weekend.

VW and Porsche recall 800,000 cars

Concerns over a pedal fastener has seen Volkswagen and Porsche issue a safety recall for 800,000 vehicles worldwide.