BUSINESS

The US trade deficit came in at $38.8 billion in August, roughly in line with that recorded in July. The underlying trend remains of very gradual narrowing of the deficit. Initial jobless claims dipped further down by 12,000 to 350,000 last week. Flash US manufacturing fell from 52.8 to 51.1 in October. Output declined for the first time in four years, with the subindex dipping to 49.5.

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The Australian sharemarket benefited from a better than expected reading on Chinese manufacturing sector activity, only to give back part of the gains late in the session. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished 0.3 per cent or 16.9pts higher.

The Australian sharemarket is trading around a five-year high, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up by 0.3 per cent. This is quite a positive outcome considering that global markets lost ground overnight as short-term Chinese interest rates rose. This following the Chinese central bank's (PBoC) decision to remove some excess liquidity from financial markets.

Coca-Cola, its name, logo and taste, is one of the best brands in the world. For those thinking to invest in the beverage giant should first take a look at the following facts.

The New Zealand government approved a NZ$3.2 billion initial public offering (IPO) of power generator Meridian Energy. It is the largest IPO in New Zealand's history.

Carl Icahn Tweets again saying he just sent letter to Tim Cook, insisting on Apple Inc. (AAPL) buyback programme

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is no longer the number one favourite stock among U.S. and Canadian millionaires, Tiger 21 survey says

Businesses in earthquake-damaged Bohol in the Philippines have resumed tour operations Thursday as survivors reclaimed lives amid the rising death toll that has reached 195. Cost of damages caused by 7.2 magnitude temblor had hit Php 1 billion (AU$24 million).

Beginning on Wednesday, Oct 23, Walmart shoppers could bring in their old tablets and trade them for up to $300 voucher that they can used to buy a new tablet. The promo covers the newly launched iPad Air and iPad Mini.

Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, has sought to toughen the existing Sharia law penal code in the country. Effective April 2014, offenders of the revised law, such as adulterers face death by stoning, amputation of limbs for theft, as well as flogging for alcohol consumption and abortion, among other types of punishments.

The long rally in US equities finally came to a halt, with disappointing earnings being pinned as the main reason behind the fall. However, US earnings have been largely ignored as the US market rallied and I feel some of the disappointing earnings were just an excuse for the sell-off. After four consecutive sessions of printing record highs, the S&P finally gave up ground and declined half a per cent. The main result the market concentrated on was a disappointing Q3 report from Caterpillar (CAT...

The Bank of Canada monetary policy decision resulted in no change to the overnight lending rate which remained at 1.0pct. This was as expected. However, the BoC dropped its previous bias to lift the policy rate. This bias has been in place for a year. In other words the BoC has now moved to outright neutral. Inflation is now expected to remain low for longer, the level of economic activity is also lower than expected, while risks of further weakness in the economy are taking on increasing import...

Real money as we know it arose along with marriage and the golden rule. These innovations allowed people to live together, peacefully, and to do business with one another. Trade, savings, investment, the division of labour - these are the bedrock innovations upon which modern capitalism rests.

Although the Fed may realize (though I doubt it) that the current asset purchases have minimal impact on the real economy of the majority of American people, they probably think that continuous monetary stimulus is the lesser of two evils. This is a wrong assumption, in my opinion, because prices are rising far more than wages and salaries.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 54 points or 0.4% while the S&P lost 0.5% to 1746 and the Nasdaq fell 0.

This week's theme is the global financial system. It's been around for 40+ years in its current guise. That is, since 1971 when Nixon reneged on the US government's promises to pay its debt in gold (or gold equivalent dollars).

By Jonathan BarrattDashed hopes of tapering for the time being and even further stimulus efforts have spurred a more positive outlook for gold.

Three events over the past 24 hours have influenced markets and currencies. Firstly, last night a report showed there were fewer jobs created in the US over Sept than many had hoped. This reduced the likelihood of an imminent tapering in the Fed's current stimulus strategy and also pushed markets and the Aussie dollar higher. Secondly, this morning, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that prices rose by a more than expected 1.2 per cent over the September quarter; all but wiping out...

Google seems to be burning huge amount of money on Motorola Mobility and according to experts, $1 billion could be the cost of what Google may face with Motorola each year. Know the possible reasons why Google purchased Motorola and keeps on financing its mobile division.

Google acquired FlexyCore and it is meant to make Android OS faster than ever. Android 4.4 KitKat will limit hardware requirements to support older devices once pushed. Is FlexyCore going to support Android 4.4 and Android 5.0 soon?

Diamond industry giant De Beers and Mountain Province Diamonds entered into a joint venture to develop the Gaheho Kue diamond mine in Northwest Territories.

The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is rising for the seventh straight day; up 0.2 per cent and sitting at around a five year high. This makes it the longest winning streak in nine months and comes courtesy of some worse than expected US jobs numbers overnight.

Apple Oct 22 summary of official announcements

Optus warns Aussies to erase all personal data before trade-in

Google Launches Australian Fire Crisis Map

Thailand, known for its archaeological sites, sandy beaches, weekend and night markets, Buddhist temples and, of course, the traditional Thai massage, among others, wants to slap a 500-baht (AU$16.60) entry tax on tourists upon their arrival at the country. The government targets to implement the new fee effective January 2014.

A study by researchers from the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health has found that at least 21,000 Canadians die each year due to air pollution.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportFor all my subscribers who are getting worried about the soundness of Australian banks, well, I make one recommendation, and I do this with a heavy heart ? stop reading the Australian Financial Review!Don't get me wrong, I read this respected newspaper but ...