BUSINESS

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 10/20/2011

Local stocks ended in the red for a second session this week, after rising on Monday and Wednesday. The rollercoaster ride continues as investors await the weekend European Union summit with hopes leaders will come up with a viable solution to the region's debt crisis.

Newcrest Mining Gold Output Down

Shares of Australia's largest gold miner Newcrest Mining fell after the company reported its September quarter gold production slid from the previous quarter.
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Gold Best for Short-Term Investing

Gold, either for short-term or long-term investing, is still be the best commodity an existing or future investor can always look into. But for those who are more into long-term investing, it makes sense to invest not only in gold but in a number of broad-basket commodity as well.

Leighton Disputes S&P Credit Rating Downgrade

Leighton Holdings on Thursday disputed Standard & Poor’s Rating Service’s (S&P) decision to downgrade its credit rating from ‘BBB/A-2’ to ‘BBB-/A/3’, claiming it was not a true reflection of the company’s credit quality.

Australian Cities Report Sets Stage for Infrastructure Reform

The State of Australian Cities 2011 sets the stage for the implementation of much-need planning reform coupled with a major boost to infrastructure spending, said the Property Council of Australia and the Residential Development Council (RDC) on Thursday.

Australian Woman Files $1.1-M Sexual Harassment Case Against IBM

Computer giant International Business Machine (IBM) is facing a $1.1 million sexual harassment suit filed before the Australian Federal Court by a former female employee, who claimed that she was humiliated, bullied and harassed by a male superior for two years.

RBA: Australian Banks Can Withstand Stress Tests

As European banks struggle to commit as to how much their book values should be stated against the backdrop of deep sovereign bonds restructuring, Australian banks have remained strong and viable, according to a top officer of the Reserve Bank.

Geelong Trains to Offer Free Wi-Fi to Riders

Victoria train riders may soon be able to send emails or surf the Web while on their way to work or home. The state government is considering installing wi-fi transmitters and improving communications on regional trains, according to Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder.

Motorola Droid Razr: Top Ten Reasons Why Apple Should Be Scared

The battle for smartphone supremacy has gotten increasingly tough of late with such giants like Apple and Samsung competing to get the most of the mobile phone market. Apple's iPhone 4s, released last week and already setting sales records, has overtaken its Android competitors and is now the reigning champion. But that doesn't mean that Apple can rest easy as a new batch of Android smartphones is coming to the market.

Prices of Coking Coal to Fall Below $240/Ton in 2012

Contract prices of steelmaking ingredient coking coal will slide below $240 per metric ton between now through the fourth quarter of 2012 as nations continue to ride to a continuing global economic slowdown that will in turn ease demand for the metallurgical raw commodity, energy forecaster Wood Mackenzie said in a report Wednesday

Ikea’s Next Biggest Store to Rise in Sydney, Ikea Melbourne Comes Second

The latest addition to the directory of Ikea's stores will also be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. The megamart is twice the size of the Sydney Cricket Ground, according to reports. On top of its 9000-product offering, shoppers will enjoy a 760-seat restaurant and 1680 dedicated car spaces.

Motorola Touts Droid Razr Advantages Over iPhone 4S

The Gingerbread-powered Droid Razr is the iPhone 4S's newest challenger and Motorola says Apple and non-Apple fans should take notice of its latest innovation as it may be the smartphone they are looking for.

Apple iPhone 4 Sales Miss; $27 Billion of Value Wiped Out

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312511273826/d244527dex991.htmhttp://online.wsj.com/article/AP26ba15082dab4ca48a7a71030b115715.htmlhttp://www.beatweek.com/news/9664-losing-touch-ios-5-on-iphone-ipad-signifies-death-of-ipod-branding/http://online.wsj.com/article/AP26ba15082dab4ca48a7a71030b115715.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/12/us-apple-poll-idUSTRE79B6CI20111012

Oz Minerals Ex-Growth?

- Mixed quarterly production report for Oz Minerals- Copper solid, gold output lower- Earnings forecasts cut on lower gold guidance- Two brokers downgrade to Neutral ratingsBy Chris ShawSeptember quarter production from Oz Minerals ((OZL)) was mixed, with copper output largely as expected but gold p...

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 10/19/2011

The volatility continued for investors today, with the local stock market attempting to recover some of yesterday's losses. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose 25.3pts or 0.6pct to 4274.8, notching up its second win of the week. Sentiment was boosted by a newspaper report from the UK's The Guardian which suggested France and Germany have agreed to increase the size of the European stability fund to two trillion Euros.

Labor Shortage Threatens to Cripple Australian Mining

Recent labor market research shows Australia’s $427-billion worth of resource projects will struggle to survive the crippling labour and skills shortage. Resource industry employer group AMMA says only a united front from all tiers of government can alleviate the imminent threat to many prospective workplaces.

China Steel Eyeing Australian Mines

China Steel has been reportedly mulling of buying stakes in various overseas coal and iron ore mines, with a $2.5 billion budget to spend, over the next four years.

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