BUSINESS

Australia’s Unbalanced Boom

It's a bit shocking that until the last year or so, Australia managed to run a trade deficit during a resource boom. The tables below from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade show that from May 2004 to June 2008 - a period during which the All Ordinaries went up 98%, from 3,401 to a high of 6,760 - Australia recorded a trade deficit in 51 consecutive months. We even wrote about a longer streak of 75 consecutive months of trade deficits at the time.
More news

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 9/7/2012

The Australian sharemarket improved for the third time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rising by 0.4 pct or 17.2 pts to 4348.8. The gains over the last few days have helped the local market break a two week losing streak.

Apple Easing Out Samsung Components from its Product Lines

The next iPhone version, set to be unwrapped on Sept 12, will have less Samsung imprints compared to the previous editions, with reports indicating that Apple has rolled out a program that would slowly wean away its products from components manufactured by its South Korean rival.

Surplus US Shale Leads to Gas Shortage in Mexico

Mexico has been forced to reduce supplies of natural gas to several of its biggest consumers by almost as much as 45 percent in order to keep up with the increasing demand from steelmakers like Arcelor Mittal and Ternium SA to households.

Analysts: Deal with Emirates, Win-Lose for Qantas

The fresh Qantas-Emirates code-sharing deal could spell the end of the national carrier’s international career, analysts said, in return for strong semblance of profitability on the domestic front.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 9/7/2012

Local stocks are moving higher for a second consecutive session in early trade, on the back of positive offshore moves after the European Central Bank announced plans to tackle the Eurozone crisis head on. The ECB agreed to launch a new bond buying program, designed to restrain borrowing costs for embattled nations. The move saw investors willing to take on more risk overnight, sending European shares higher and Wall Street finish at a four year high. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries...

CFMEU Ends Grocon Blockade, Grollo to Negotiate With Union

The three-week strike that has stopped construction activities at different Grollo sites has just ended. The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) lifted its blockade at the Myer Emporium job site, prompting Grocon Chief Executive Daniel Grollo to agree to resume negotiations with the union.

FMG's Deferral No Big Deal For NRW

- Fortescue's expansion deferral impacts on NRW's revenue forecasts- Brokers do not see guidance reduction as material- NRW offers service diversification and a very good yieldBy Greg PeelMining and energy services provider NRW Holdings ((NWH)) has completed discussion with Fortescue Metal...

Samsung Labour Violations Pile Up, Highlighted in New CLW Report

U.S.-based China Labor Watch (CLW) has upgraded this week its scathing review on Samsung’s labour practices, highlighting what the activist group called as “illegal and inhumane treatment,” of young Chinese workers tasked to assemble a host of Samsung products.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 9/6/2012

The Australian sharemarket improved for the second time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) jumping by 0.8 pct or 33.9 pts to 4331.6. Healthcare stocks lost modest ground while all other sectors ended the day higher. The consumer discretionary, mining and energy sectors were the best performers.

Qantas Shares Up Following Deal With Emirates

Shares of beleaguered Australian carrier Qantas Airways surged on Thursday after the flying kangaroo announced on the same day it has entered into a 10-year arrangement with Dubai's Emirates that will enable the Australian airline fly to London via Dubai.

China Development Bank Hikes Lending to Private Firms in Asia

The China Development Bank (CDB), one of the nation's three policy banks known primarily for making big loans to other state-owned entities, has begun lending large amounts of cash to private firms around Asia, reported the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, while other banks cut back on lending amid the present economic climate.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 9/6/2012

Local stocks are rising in early trade, with investors seemingly more willing to take on risk ahead of tonight's European Central Bank meeting in Brussels. A fall in the unemployment rate to 5.1pct is also helping sentiment. At 12.15pm AEST, the All Ords is up 37.9pts or 0.9pct to 4335.6.

Global Markets Overview – 9/6/2012

Risk assets were mixed through Europe and US trade ahead of the ECB press conference later today. The euro spiked on reports that the ECB will undertake an unlimited and sterilised buying of sovereign debt with maturities of up to three years, but would refrain from setting yield caps. EUR/USD advanced to a high of 1.2625 and remains sidelined above 1.26.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 9/6/2012

The US Redbook weekly chain store sales index was up 2.5pct on a year ago, ahead of the 1.5pct annual gain in the previous week. US productivity grew at a 2.2pct annual pace in the June quarter while labour costs rose at a 1.5pct annual rate.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 9/5/2012

Local stocks closed in the red for a second consecutive session today, with losses generally broad-based. Disappointing US manufacturing data released overnight weighed on global sentiment, while the upcoming European Central Bank meeting has also added an air of caution; giving investors in Europe a reason to sell. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed down 27.9pts or 0.6pct to 4297.7 after hitting an intra-day low of 4281.5.

Pages