BUSINESS

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 19 points or 0.2% while the S&P gained 0.3% to 1357 and the Nasdaq was flat.

Facebook, the largest social networking site in the world recently announced that they will be launching their own app store. This is the company's latest strategy in profiting from the large population registered in Facebook.

While Nokia Australia confirmed that no Pureview 808 will be heading on the land down under, two Windows Phones are on their way to invade the Sydney Shores.

Retailers are hoping that Australians would spend some of their budget handouts on shopping to lift the industry.

Before you continue with today's Reckoning, do yourself a favour and watch Murray's stock market updateon YouTube from yesterday. The Slipstream Trader points out that the ASX/200 staged a 'false break out' on Friday around the 4416 level. If you're unfamiliar with his theory of price action, that means the new high isn't a bullish signal but a 'false' signal.

With a potential merger between US Airways and American Airlines already in place, the airline industry is experiencing yet another shakeup.

Rio Tinto officials have admitted that challenges in the near-term could hamper the mining firm's full-growth capability, chief of which is the increasing cost of producing the company's prime commodities - iron ore and coal.

A proposal to extend country of origin labelling to unpackaged beef, sheep and chicken meat in Australia by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has received support by the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign (AMAG).

Economists are forecasting that when the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases unemployment data on Thursday, it would show joblessness has risen to 5.3 per cent in April from 5.2 per cent the previous month.

By Jonathan BarrattFrom last week's comment to today's represents a complete reversal of our ideas.

By Greg PeelThe far left Syriza party is attempting to form a government in Greece on a policy of abandoning the troika's bail-out measures yet remaining in the euro.

Nokia Australia confirmed that it will not release its new smartphone PureView 808 in the land down under.

Ford Motor is eyeing growth prospects in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically in China where car sales are expected to reach 30 million units over the next 10 years, reports said.

Are you addicted to your morning cup of coffee and love your new pod coffee machine? Well here is a great idea to use those pods instead of just tossing them out!

By Greg PeelThe three big "headline" influences in current global financial markets are Europe, China and the US.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund has sold off its entire holdings in Irish and Portuguese government bonds, and reduced their share of Spanish and Italian bonds.

Asia is set to produce more solar power than any other region in the world over the next five years.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 76 points or 0.6% while the S&P lost 0.4% to 1363 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.

Microsoft is trying to increase the sales again of the Xbox 360 by offering it at a cheaper price.

Facebook users in Australia can now share their donor status with their friends due to the feature introduced by the social networking site.

Samsung finally unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S III, the follow up to the company's successful Samsung Galaxy S II. The release of the smartphone was met with enthusiasm as many users were impressed by the features and specifications of Samsung Galaxy S III. This leads us to the big question: To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade?

Although two of the richest persons in Australia often agree to oppose certain government policies such as the mining tax and the carbon tax, Andrew Forrest and Gina Rinehart are on the opposite sides when it comes to employment of foreign workers.

The future is still bright for Australia beef industry. According to a report released on Monday at the Beef Australia 2012 summit, the country's cattle herd is expected to reach 30 million heads this year. It would be the peak since the 1970s.

The submission deadline for comment on NCCP amendments has passed, and Gadens Lawyers' Jon Denovan has blasted the unintended consequences of the legislation.

By Greg PeelJapan shut down its last operating commercial reactor over the weekend. To put this event into context, before the Fukushima disaster Japan boasted 54 operating commercial reactors providing around one third of the country's electricity needs.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 29 points or 0.2% while the S&P closed flat at 1369 and the Nasdaq gained less than 0.

The New South Wales (NSW) government said on Monday that it will push through with the North West Rail Link project in Sydney despite the rejection by the federal government of its request for a $2.1-billion financial assistance. It is now seeking private investors to finance the said project

The worst appears to be behind GM Holden, for now, as the carmaker reported on Monday $89.7 million in profits for 2011, largely boosted by the total number of Cruze that hit Australian roads since last year.

The latest building activity data confirmed the warning issued last week by the Australian central bank - that the local housing sector will not be geared to recovery mode, at least in the near term.