BUSINESS

By Greg PeelWith the RBA board members pulling on their RBA board shorts in January and slapping on the zinc cream, this month's monetary policy meeting was the first since December.

The Australian share market is trading higher at lunchtime in the East, as investors await the outcome of talks between Eurozone finance ministers to secure a Greek rescue deal, and digest another busy day of results. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is firmer by 19.6pts or 0.5pct to 4352 in early trade.

A large French bank, Societe Generale, doubts the big four Australian banks' claim of rising funding costs, which they cited as a reason for hiking mortgage rates Feb. 7, while the Reserve Bank of Australia held the overnight cash rate at 4.25 per cent.

FNArena has added another video to its Investors Education section on the website. ATW's Jerry Simmons is expecting break-out moves for gold and equities this week.

Cash flow problems and slow payment of invoices are just some of the most common problems that businesses have to face.

By Greg PeelIn what is becoming a painfully slow spot uranium market, last week saw only one transaction completed totalling a mere 75,000lbs of U3O8 equivalent, industry consultant Trade Tech reports.

The U.S. dollar fell to a near two-week low against the euro Monday on hopes European finance ministers would agree on conditions for another loan for Greece.

By Greg PeelAs I write the meeting of eurozone finance ministers is continuing in Brussels. The purpose of the meeting is to assess the austerity package agreed to by the Greek government in return for the granting of another E130bn in bail-out funds to carry Greece through 2012, to be delivered in ...

Woolworths has upped the ante in its ongoing reign for supremacy in Australia's supermarket war by moving the battle into the virtual world. By launching a virtual supermarket in Sydney, shoppers could buy groceries from Woolies using their mobile phones.

Chinese workers assembling the world's top gadgets have been awarded considerable pay hikes by one of the world's most notorious employer, the Foxconn Technology Group.

Australia's retails sales had gone up by 0.6% for the fourth consecutive month in all territories, according to the Commonwealth Bank's Business Sales Indicator.

Bank customers wishing to compare the lending rates of major Aussie banks should research the facts by themselves as these will not be volunteered to them, according to consumer advocacy group Choice.

Scoopon has refunded about $1 million to Air Australia passengers who were stranded when the air carrier collapsed on Friday. These travelers purchased their Air Australia tickets from Scoopon, a group buying site.

Australian mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will roll out the first automated train in 2014. The company will spend $518 million that will run the world's first driverless long-distance, heavy-haul rail network.

Despite successive net losses it posted in the past years, U.S. retail giant Costco reportedly plans to further expand in the Australian market following its entry in 2008.

Australia's steelmaking industry continue to struggle as the country's biggest player, BlueScope Steel, reported another half-year loss on Monday, showcasing anew the company's flagging fortunes over the past few years.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank reported on Monday a first-half profit drop of 67 per cent due to weak demand for loans and higher funding costs. Bendigo registered a net profit of $57.9 million in the second half of 2011, down from $173.9 million for the same period in 2010.

The Australian share market has kick-started the trading week on a strong note, thanks to positive offshore momentum. The People's Bank of China announced on Saturday that it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks by 50 basis points, effective from February 24. The move is being seen as a good sign across Asian markets as it frees up capital and boosts liquidity. There are also hopes Eurozone Finance Ministers will agree on the Greek bailout deal later this evening. At luncht...

Apple Inc. is reportedly working on an 8-inch version of its best-selling iPad tablet in an effort to broaden its market share.

US consumer prices rose by 0.2pct in January and the core measure (excludes food and energy) also rose 0.2pct. The leading index rose by 0.4pct in January, just short of forecasts.

A positive move from China at the weekend has added to signs the world economy isn't tanking as many forecasters believed it would.

The Australian jobs market remains solid across the economy, with the weaker bits in retailing and manufacturing more than offset by the rapidly growing sectors such as resources, healthcare and education.

It's the peak week in the December 31 profit reporting season with over 100 major companies due to report interim or full year figures in the next five days.

The focus is likely to remain firmly profits (see the top story) and on interest rates with the Reserve Bank front and centre this week, led by Governor, Glenn Stevens.

The candidate who wanted Detroit to go bankrupt is now trying to win votes in Michigan — as the auto industry's recovery is front-page news. Santorum? He's got the same problem.

By Eswar Prasad and Lei YeIs China's currency destined to become the dominant global reserve currency? This column argues that despite not yet having a flexible exchange rate or open capital account, China's government is pursuing 'liberalisation with Chinese characteristics'.

By Richard (Rick) MillsAs a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best informationSometime between 1500 and 1565 a large graphite deposit was discovered in Cumbria, England.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said in Friday that she will lobby with Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce not to shed 500 aircraft engineering and catering jobs in the flag carrier. She made the statement a day after Mr Joyce announced a review that would lead to the axing of jobs after Qantas posted an 83 per cent decline in profit due to the labor dispute and fleet grounding.

Australia's jobless rate improved a bit last month, supporting the country's steady economic gains but drawing mixed reactions from economists.