International markets were mixed overnight despite Germany's parliament approving a critical EU bailout package.

Germany's approval of the 21 July bailout package gives hope that it will be passed by all 17 eurozone states and that Europe's leaders will be able to press ahead with a confidence-building second round of aid for Greece.

In Europe the FTSE lost ground, giving up 0.4%, whilst the CAC and DAX were stronger, adding 1.1% each.

Stateside, blue-chip stocks enjoyed solid gains but tech-stocks were sold off.

The Dow Jones added 143 points (+1.3%) to settle at 11154 whilst the broader S&P 500 added 0.8% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 0.4%.

The euro strengthened of the German parliamentary vote, with traders increasing bets that the debt crisis will be resolved.

The yen touched below 77 US cents for the first time in two weeks amid rising equity markets, with investors moving away from safe-havens and into risk assets.

New Zealand's dollar weakened after Fitch cut its long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating.

Commodities advanced, with the S&P GSCI index of 24 raw materials climbing 0.5% to settle at 606.79, led by an agriculture rally.

Oil gained as the US government reported that the economy grew faster than previously estimated in the second quarter. Crude added 93 cents to settle at US$82.14.

Today's session will bring us data in the form of private sector credit, at 11:30am, AEST.

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