BUSINESS

The Australian share market ran out of steam in afternoon trade, as investors elected to pull back their positions ahead of Chinese data due out after the bell. Despite rallying in early trade, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished the session down 2.2 points to 5146.2.

Microsoft Non-Security Updates will be released on Patch Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 at 1PM Eastern Time. A brief description of the 16 main updates can be found on Microsoft's Support Page, including updates on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows Servers.

Here is good news for all the fans of HBO’s fantasy drama show “Game of Thrones.” Have you ever dreamt of playing as your favorite character from “Games of Thrones” universe? Your dreams will now be manifested into reality. Along with the New Year, comes a chance to play “Game of Thrones” videogame. Telltale Games, a digital publisher and maker of “The Walking Dead” game has announced the release of the video game in 2014.

Forced to choose between the lesser evil, Australia's national air carrier Qantas announced it will slash 1,000 jobs to rein in costs as it works to keep operations afloat.

About 200 employees are about to be jobless as Wilkie Creek Mine announces closure in Queensland

Pantone Inc., the global authority on color, named the PANTONE® 18-3224 Radiant Orchid as the official color of 2014 on Dec. 5, 2013. PANTONE® 18-3224 Radiant Orchid is described by the X-Rite company located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, as "a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple."

Air New Zealand has announced it will be extending its flight services to Australia's Sunshine Coast for a third consecutive year, effective 2014.

The Australian share market is performing much more strongly today, rebounding from yesterday's 0.7 per cent loss. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 Index reached a new record high while the Dow Jones Index also closed higher, although was sold off into the close on concern tapering could begin in the next few weeks.

A report from ANZ revealed that job advertisements fell but labour demands are stabilising

It is not just iPhones that are exploding. A report came out on Monday that a Samsung Galaxy S4 caught fire when the phone was charging. While the battery did not explode, the smartphone became useless, prompting the phone owner to seek a replacement since the unit is still under warranty.

Overnight St. Louis President James Bullard hinted at the possibility that QE3 is about to see its first major alteration since its inception on September 13 2012.

In US economic news, the employment trends index rose from 113.64 to 115.21 in November.

By Greg PeelUS federal regulators have been turning the screws on global investment banks operating in the US, in more ways than one.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 5 points while the S&P added 0.2% to 1808 and the Nasdaq rose 0.3%.It was an ugly day on Bridge Street yesterday.

Retail therapy, which many females turn to when they are depressed or angry or lonely, appears to be more than just an excuse to shop - as most of the husbands or boyfriends of these women think.

If home carbonation system seller SodaStreams would have its way, one of the icons of Christmas wouldn't be red, fat and jolly. They would rather have Santa Claus be known as a Green Santa who will help the company sell more of its system.

While Android devices make up most of the world's smart phone market share, Apple Inc has increased its lead in the United States based on recent figures by comScore. According to the report, Apple Inc continues to dominate the smart phone market in the U.S. with 40.6 per cent. As Apple Inc continues to look forward to higher sales for the new versions of the iPhone and iPads in the holiday quarter, the company's stocks may be on its way to reaching $700 in 2014.

All Justin Bieber wanted from BlackBerry was $200,000 and 20 devices and he would be glad to be the company’s Ambassador. But the officials of the company, then known Research In Motion (RIM), thought it was a bad idea. Fifteen million sales of album after and $55 million earnings in the last twelve months, Bieber was no longer the rising star he was when he made the offer.

The Australian share market ignored positive economic data out of China and the US and instead started the week in the red, as investors ran scared following a shock profit warning from Australia's largest insurer QBE (QBE). The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed lower by 37.6pts or 0.7 per cent to 5148.4 points.

Air Canada is mulling to buy more aircraft to support its fleet and is just reportedly close to deciding which from Airbus or Boeing it will enter the deal with.

Members of the Auckland Taxi Association are on a hunger strike starting Monday after their talk with the airport company failed. Around 180 taxi drivers at the Auckland International Airport are demanding better working conditions and taxi-rank positions among other issues.

Australian internet service provider TPG Telecom Ltd has entered into a binding agreement with Telecom New Zealand to purchase the latter's Australian unit AAPT for AU$450 million.

A report from UBS revealed that Aussie bank stocks are the most expensive in the world

China has been enveloped in smog again over the weekend.

Sunshine Coast Daily, a newspaper for Maroochydore, Queensland (QLD) in Australia is giving away six prizes from Nov. 9 to Dec. 23, 2013 as part of its Countdown to Christmas contest. Giveaways include an iPhone 5s, a $1,000 Flight Centre travel voucher, a GoPro Hero3+, a system 12 lotto ticket, five $100 vouchers at Bunnings, Kmart or Boating Camping Fishing (BCF) and five $100 Coles Group vouchers.

Black Friday may have been over a week ago, but techies who failed to get a good bargain during those days need not wait for Boxing Day to enjoy price cuts on devices.

Local trade on Monday was defined by continued weakness in the face of solid gains for US stocks on Friday. US markets were able to embrace the better than expected employment data (unemployment at a 5 year low with job creation beating expectations of 200k jobs added in November).

Friday night's unemployment print and non-farm payroll number has certainly awoken one thing - speculation.

PDF file attached.Corporate bonds offer an alternative to equity investment in providing a fixed "coupon", or interest payment, unlike equities which pay (or not) non-fixed dividend payments, and a maturity date, unlike equities which are open-ended.