BUSINESS

Australia's two-speed economy is evident in the building sector, industry advocates have claimed.

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 170 points or 1.5% while the S&P dropped 1.5% to 1159 and the Nasdaq lost 2.0%.

U.S. stocks dropped Thursday after three days of sharp gains as Warren Buffett's $5 billion investment in Bank of America failed to stoke investors' appetite for risk ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech Friday.

It shouldn't have been all that unexpected that the guidance for the current 2012 financial year from giant retailer Woolworths would not be up to its previous high levels of sales and profit growth.

Tonight we get an update on the strength of the US economy and a much awaited speech from Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke which some in the market reckon will reveal a new move to stimulate the slowing economy.

The world might have recovered a bit from the recent news of Steve Job’s resignation from Apple Inc. As Chief Executive Officer. It’s a good time to focus on the man who will be filling his shoes, Apple’s former Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook.

Increasing numbers of our clients are asking us to work with them to implement a global approach to recruitment, assessment and selection.

Leighton Holdings announced today the appointment of Hamish Tyrwhitt as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. With immediate effect, Tyrwhitt will be replacing David Stewart after barely eight months in the job.

KFC Australia says it will no longer provide toys with any childrenʼs meals.

NAME: Steven Paul Jobs AGE: 56 BORN: Feb. 24, 1955, in San Francisco and adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs

SPi Global, a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company in the Philippines, has established an Australian office to form business partnerships with local companies for their call centre and other outsourcing needs.

Other than the upcoming products of Apple, there are questions whether the new CEO will have the unique insights, charisma, vigor or even luck that exiting Steve Jobs had.

BHP Billiton has the right amount in its coffers to aim for another acquisition, CEO Marius Kloppers announced in a briefing in London.

Profits have risen for Mortgage Choice in spite a slight slowdown in approvals.

US-based global food company Heinz has reported a 6% decrease in net income to US$226.1m for the three months to 27 July 2011.

Leading oil refiner Caltex Australia Ltd.'s marketing outlook remains positive in the second half after marketing delivered strong results in the first half with total fuel volumes up 4.3 percent year-on-year.

Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs resigned Wednesday as chief executive officer. He was succeeded by chief operating officer and right-hand man Tim Cook but will continue to serve as chairman of the board.

After unveiling the iPad 2 tablet, the Mac OS X Lion operating system, the iCloud, the MacBook Air laptops, Apple Inc. made its biggest announcement this year on Wednesday, and its not the highly anticipated iPhone 5: Steve Jobs is resigning as chief executive of Apple.

- Talk is that the Fed will announce QE3 at Jackson Hole 2011- The Fed did not announce QE2 at Jackson Hole 2010- No formal policy announcement is expected on FridayBy Greg PeelIt was at this time last year at the Fed's Jackson Hole retreat, we have oft been reminded recently, that Ben Bernanke...

Steve Jobs has resigned as Apple Inc. Chief Executive on Wednesday citing that he can no longer meet his duties and expectations to the company.

Rumor has it that Apple is bound to invest one billion U.S. dollars on a Sharp factory, according to a Reuters report.

Samsung accuses Apple of copying its tablet design from the 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The Korean company states that Director Stanley Kubrick designed the iPad2, not Apple.

US durable goods orders rose by 4.0pct in July, well ahead of forecasts for 2.0pct gain. Excluding transport, orders were up for the third straight month, rising by 0.7pct. And US home prices rose by 0.9pct in June after a 0.4pct lift in May according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

A move away from riskier assets yesterday meant that the Australian Dollar was unlikely to keep recent highs above 1.0500.

U.S. stocks notched a third straight day of gains Wednesday as an upbeat durable goods report set a positive tone while investors await Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's highly anticipated speech later this week.

FNArena has added another video to its Investors Education section on the website. In this broadcast, ATW's Jerry Simmons explains how AUD/USD and copper often function as leading indicators for equity markets.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 143 points or 1.3% while the S&P gained 1.3% to 1177 and the Nasdaq added 0.

- Whitehaven result beat guidance- RBS identifies a number of positives in the result- Production growth and M&A potential sources of upside- Upgrades follow profit resultBy Chris ShawHaving guided to full year earnings of $70 million, coal producer Whitehaven Coal ((WHC)) exceeded this with an unde...

Qantas has attempted to quash market rumours it is about to become the target of a $3.5 billion private-equity bid, describing the reports as "pure speculation".