And the Australian dollar is worth one dollar and five cents US this morning. It'll also buy you 66 British pence and one dollar 25 New  Zealand.

 

China has recorded its slowest year of growth in 13 years, despite performing slightly better than expected in the fourth quarter. Official data shows(error in speaking) the country's GDP rose by 7.9 per cent when compared to the same quarter a year earlier. At the start of the year, the IMF was predicting annual growth of 9 per cent. But by mid-year, it was clear that China was still feeling the effects of the 2009 financial crisis. An end-of-year boost in retail and industrial output undid some of the damage.

 

Japan's Nikkei share average served(error in speaking) surged(sorry) 2.9 per cent on Friday to complete ten straight weeks of gains. It's Japan's longest winning streaks since 1987 as heightened expectations of Central Bank easing early next week put further downward pressure on the Yen. The Nikkei advanced 303.66 points, producing its biggest one-day percentage gain in 22 months.