Microsoft posted a quarterly revenue of $20.89 billion for the three months to December 31, up 5% from the same period in 2010.

PM says Genesis, Mighty River Power first off the block.

It remains unclear how many Fonterra shareholders have chosen to buy “dry” shares in their company.

This afternoon the dairy giant announced that farmers have invested $270.7 million buying shares in the co-operative following capital structure changes last year.

In a share application period that closed last week, farmers were given the chance to adjust their shareholding up or down to between 100% and 120% of their current or expected production.

The share price was $4.52.

The Australian stock exchange opens today with a total ban on short selling.

The surprise move was announced last night, after a less restrictive ban on “naked” short selling – shorting without actually owning the shares – was revealed on Friday.

Now, “covered” short selling – in which traders borrow shares to short – is included too.

ASIC has followed in the footsteps of regulators in the US and the UK, which moved late last week to ban short sales in financial stocks.