The merger will have a big impact on retailers. This will likely trigger consolidation within the industry, helping to drive profitability at retailers higher.

That has definitely had an impact on the market. It relieved some concern -- that was the one thing everyone had been most worried about.

We are possibly facing one of the worst periods, with profit warnings likely to come out some more, and banks and corporations are stepping up unloading of cross-held shares into September,

It's simply that there was too much of a gain in too short a period of time. Investors are looking for any pointers to get out of the market for now.

Without decisive policy action by the government, the 11,000 will be just a passing point.

Domestic-demand related stocks will lead the market on speculation consumer prices may finally gain.