US reporting season approaches. Fri Apr 9

The US markets managed small gains last night as a rebound in retail sales papered over poor jobs numbers. Reporting season arrives next week in the US and it might be the catalyst to break the stalemate. The Australian market is slightly firmer today but off early highs with only one stock in the top 20 having moved more than 1% (Woolworths - down 1.3%).
In my universe of watched stocks, I've added a couple of positions where I've sold into the bounce with the hope that a stock will make a lower high while using the recent high as a stop. Qantas is neither here nor there so far (12.26pm) but I've had some joy in Bsl which has quickly shed some early strength. I'm short at 297 and 296. Here's the daily chart.

3.56 An update on the state of play with Lihir. The chairman has made conciliatory noises about the takeover and stated that shareholders would like to see Newcrest raise the bid price. This has served to narrow the discount to about 17 cents. It jumped into the high 20s earlier in the week. Stock is trading at 400. Newcrest is still firming and the gold price is holding up, tending to edge higher.