BUSINESS

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 78 points or 0.6% while the S&P lost 0.7% to 1392 and the Nasdaq fell 0.

Microsoft wants to dominate the smartphone market, not in the United States, but in China, which research firms said will take the spot as the biggest smartphone market in the world this year.

Windows 8 is set to hit the market by the last quarter of 2012, likely just in time for the holiday shopping spree that sellers target to boost their financial results before ending the year.

The Australian economy saw its slowest growth pace in the last quarter of 2011, according to the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute leading index of economic activity, which paved the way for a measly growth rate at the start of the current year.

David Jones hasn't been competitive with the emerging online retailing sector for years, and in the past six to eight months, its efforts in the analogue retailing space haven't been too flash either.

And as we have seen, David Jones wasn't alone in delivering bad news to investors yesterday.

Australia's mineral and energy exports will rise at a slower pace of 4.6% to $208.32 billion Australian in 2012-13, as demand for commodities slows in Asia and in China in particular.

Australian banks were aiming to preserve their profit margins when the decision was made to move up interest rates, breaking away from the cash rate set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in recent months.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 45 points or 0.4% while the S&P lost 0.2% to 1402 but the Nasdaq managed a slight gain.

By Marco Annunziata, chief economist, General Electric Co.Oil prices are again on the rise ? will this derail the economic recovery? And what if there is an oil shock on the horizon? This column presents an overview of the oil market and its possible effects on the global economy.

Emerging from the trading halt it sued for at the start of the week, David Jones laid out on Wednesday a new plan that hopefully would enable the country's second biggest department store to recover from the slumps it suffered lately.

The European Commission, the European Union's executive body, has launched a public consultation and investigation into shadow banking practices in the region, as they aim to implement new controls and supervisory measures for the system in the future.

As the 2012 NRL and AFL seasons get ready to kick-off, business information analysts at IBISWorld reveal how much Australians are spending on sports betting - the fastest growing gambling segment.

LUNCHTIME REPORT (12.40pm AEDT)The Australian share market is trading in the red at lunchtime in the East, following weakness in offshore markets. The US Dow Jones Index eased from four year highs overnight on news China has raised fuel prices for the second time in less than six weeks, raising concerns about overall economic growth. The Australian share market eased half a percent in early trade but has clawed back a little, and at 12.40pm AEDT is down 10.7pts or 0.2pct to 4354.9.

Global miners have agreed that economic slowdown set to be seen in China this year could temper demands for iron ore but insisted that their expansion goals will not be re-calibrated.

It doesn't really matter what your audience is, whether it be real estate, fitness or social services - if you are going to make an informative video and publish it on your blog, there are a few little secrets to success. Do it well and do it often!

Australian businesses are devoting more of their marketing budget to online video than ever before, as viewing trends skyrocket with latest statistics from YouTube revealing a staggering three billion views every day.

Even though the RBA says there is "ample scope" to cut interest rates if there is a threat to the health of the Australian economy, the prospects of that threat appearing is on the retreat, according to the minutes of the central bank's March board meeting.

Queensland coal miner New Hope has become an early warner among Australian coal exporters after telling shareholders yesterday that current talks in Japan on thermal coal contracts could impact earnings in the coming years.

Now, people are fretting about iron ore exports after BHP Billiton said demand for the steelmaking raw material had "flattened".

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 68 points or 0.5% while the S&P lost 0.3% to 1405 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.

Dell recently announced that the company has plans of entering the tablet market once again by the end of the year 2012. No exact details have been revealed but there are reports speculating that the company will enter the tablet market through the help of Windows 8 or through Google’s Android.

A $1.6 billion project has been given ‘a likely green light,’ and it is seen to line the northern Wairarapa hillsides to become New Zealand’s largest wind farm, providing power for up to 370,000 homes, Dominion Post reports.

The Qantas Engineers Alliance has urged Qantas Airways on Monday to ensure that aircraft maintenance works will stay in Australia amidst plans by the company to consolidate its three engineering sites located in Avalon, Brisbane and Victoria.

If you listen to the some of the commentary in Australia and overseas, China is now something of a threat to Australia's well being, especially with the lower target growth rate of 7.5%.

New York gold finished with a tiny gain in after hours trading after losing ground in the normal trading session on Friday night, our time.

Another solid week for markets, even if the finish on Friday night in the US was uneven.

The Reserve Bank is back on centre stage in Australia this week with a series of public commentaries or speeches planned.

Shares in department store group David Jones are in a trading halt while the company hammers out the final make up of a new strategy to try and reinvigorate the group after the trading slump seen in 2011.