BUSINESS

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 5 points, while the S&P rose 0.4% to 1460 and the Nasdaq gained 0.1%.News came through after US markets had closed yesterday that after months of deliberation, ratings agency Moody's had decided not to downgrade Spanish debt one more notch to junk, thus leaving Moo...

So the media invites are out, which confirmed earlier reports that Apple will host an event set for Oct 23, most likely to enthrall the world again of new products to be pushed in time for the 2012 holiday rush.

Local stocks rose to fresh 14 month highs today, supported by strong moves offshore, a pick-up in Chinese steel production and positive moves from major blue-chip stocks. US and European markets rallied overnight with US investors encouraged by strong earnings reports, while European investor sentiment was bolstered by speculation Spain could be close to asking for a sovereign bailout. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished the day's trade up 37pts or 0.8pct to 4550.9, after hitting an intra...

It took Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo almost six months to transform the IdeaTab S2110 to go from CES reveal to retail outlets. During that time, ASUS managed to announce and ship a new hybrid tablet of its own, the Transformer Pad TF300 , which is a keyboard optional rival offering the same 10-inch, Android 4.0 experience with quad-core Tegra 3.

To take full advantage of Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system which integrates touchscreen functionality, some PC manufacturers are offering new touch-enabled devices that are designed to run it.

Japanese carmaker Nissan is gunning to roll out safer cars and its basic concept: less human intervention as possible, more safety vehicle functions and features.

The number of individuals diagnosed with the dreaded Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has risen in Australia, prompting lawmakers and health experts to re-assess laid down national policies and programs on the disease.

Studies out of Portland, Ore., and New York City reveal that bicyclists spend more money than consumers who travel by car or public transportation.

Local stocks have rallied to fresh 14 month highs in early trade, on the back of positive moves on offshore markets. US markets rose overnight with investors encouraged by upbeat earnings results while European markets rallied on speculation Spain may be edging closer to asking for a sovereign bailout. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index is up 32.8pts or 0.7pct to 4546.7.

Samsung had introduced the phablet concept, having a smartphone and a tablet in one gadget, but Asus thought splitting the two but allowing them to dock and work in unison is a lot better. Thus, the birth of Asus PadFone 2.

- Outlook for coal bleak- Brokers suggests stock preferences- Goldman Sachs updates commodity price forecasts- Base metal preferences discussedBy Eva BrocklehurstA high Australian dollar, a drop in prices, delays in government approvals, a lack of funding options - it's not a good look for coal...

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Tuesday that the country will place India on its high priority list along with the United States and other major Asian nations.

Global quality furniture retailer IKEA said on Tuesday that it will expand its store in Australia to 11 with the addition of two locations in Melbourne and Sydney. At the same time, the premier retailer announced deep discounts of up to 50 per cent covering 900 items to remain competitive.

To indicate their dislike of telemarketers, 5.4 million Australian households have since signed up with the national Do Not Call Register. The list just breached the 5 million mark since the registry was started in 2007.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 127 points, or 1.0%, while the S&P gained 1.0% to 1454 and the Nasdaq added 1.

Germany's push towards renewable energy sources will cause a sharp increase in electricity prices for consumers next year, reported AFP on Monday, with green power surcharges expected to rise by 47 percent while overall electricity costs will also go up by 7 percent.

Sales in the luxury market is expected to slow to around 5 percent this year as affluent Chinese shoppers cut back on their spending and concerns over the global financial crisis take its toll on shoppers elsewhere.

Local stocks gained ground today, on the back of positive moves on Wall Street overnight and a strong production report from iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). After hitting an intra-day high of 4537.9pts, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished the day's session up 8.4pts or 0.2pct to 4513.9.

Security experts have always warned that risks constantly hound an online lifestyle and mobile computing is not spared from the ever-present threats that come with the expanding ecosystems.

A bit of data from Google Picasa Album revealed the latest LG Nexus 4 device coded as E960 by the company. This is the remodelled version of the LG Optimus G device.

After HTC announced on Monday a new dual-SIM smartphone called HTC Desire SV (aka Magni) which is a low budget gadget, Samsung leaked the next day a new affordable smartphone which also has dual-SIM functionality. The device is dubbed as Star Deluxe Duos S5292 and reportedly scheduled for launching in December 2011 in emerging markets.

Next week is a busy week for the tech world. Windows 8 is coming out and shortly after, devices on the new Microsoft platform will roll out while Apple is reportedly pulling down the cloak on its new gizmo – the iPad Mini.

After struggling with deep losses and a debt load for half of a decade Sprint Nextel Corp. has found its lifeline. The company has announced that it is in negotiations with SoftBank Corp., the Japanese cellphone company.

CNH Global N.V., the farm and construction maker, voted down the terms of a proposed merger with Fiat Industrial SpA. A special committee at CNH Global N.V. rejected the Fiat Industrial SpA's buyout offer, including listening it to New York from Milan.

The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) followed the lead from the overseas markets and opened higher this morning up 20 points. By lunch time the market had reduced its early run and had only added 9 points, to 4,515, with small gains in most sectors.

Japanese mobile operator Softbank Corp. is most likely to announce sometime around the later part of October 15, a deal which nears around $20 billion, in order to gain control over the U.S. carrier Sprint Nextel Corp.

Windows 8 launches in a few days but doubts remain if the multi-platform operating system, touted by Microsoft as the biggest revamp ever of its core product, will indeed carve a noticeable spot in the computing world increasingly dominated by Apple and Android gadgets.

By Andrew NelsonThere has been increasing talk in the market and in our service about the US economy heading towards a "fiscal cliff", with the current presidential election seen by many as the lynch pin.

By Greg PeelIt had appeared for some time, after the first anniversary of Fukushima had passed (being the tsunami, not the ongoing "fallout") that US$50/lb was pretty much a floor in the spot uranium price.