SHORT WAR IN IRAQ WILL RALLY AUSTRALIAN SHARES: ANALYSTS.

AsiaPulse News, March, 2003

SYDNEY, March 18 Asia Pulse - Analysts expect a swift, effective and relatively bloodless war on Iraq to spark a rally in Australian shares.

But any news of unexpected challenges or a messier-than-expected military conflict would unnerve investors and stocks would continue to lurch, market participants predicted today.

"If it becomes a messy, drawn-out affair, markets will react negatively," Ausbil Dexia chief investment officer Michael Wilson told AAP.

"Now the assumption is a quick, effective attack on Iraq and no adverse news, and that's what's being priced into this rally."

Stocks bounded more than three per cent higher today, as the Australian government - having sent troops to the Persian Gulf two months ago - finally committed...