BUSINESS

Markets: Nervy Investors Quit Shares

Investors worldwide sold shares amid yesterday and overnight amid growing concerns that global economic growth has stalled as well as a surge in new tensions in the eurozone.

Economy Watch: Shopkeeper Blues

By Greg PeelRetail sales fell by 0.1% in June to be up 1.4% annually on a nominal basis. On a trend basis, sales are up 0.

Global Markets Overview 08/04/2011

Blue-chip stocks reversed a steep morning drop to snap an eight-day losing streak. In a volatile session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average squeezed out a gain of 29.82 points, or 0.25%, to finish at 11896.44.
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John Travolta Axed From Qantas Safety Video

Qantas Airways has sacked a John Travolta safety video from its flights, igniting union fears that CEO Alan Joyce will soon announce a major restructure of the Australian airline that will include pilots' jobs being outsourced.

Leighton Contractors Wins $115m ILC Sydney Contract

Leighton's (ASX: LEI) subsidiary, Leighton Contractors has secured a $115 million contract by Sydney Ports Corporation to deliver the main construction phase of the Intermodal Logistics Centre (ILC) at Enfield in South-West Sydney.

Free Tickets For Trading And Investing Expo Fri-Sat

Come and say 'Hello' to Your Editor in the weeks aheadFNArena Editor Rudi Filapek-Vandyck will be presenting at the upcoming Trading and Investing Expo in Sydney, and you are all invited to attend and say 'Hello' and have a chat after scheduled presentations on Friday and Saturda...

Australia's Services Sector Posts Modest Gains

Australia's services sectors offering accommodation, cafes & restaurants, transport & storage, property & business and personal & recreational service have recorded gains in July, according to the latest services index survey from the Australia Industry Group in collaboration with the Commonwealth Bank.

The Great Australian Nightmare

- Australian house prices are among the most unaffordable in the world- the problem is nation-wide and not restricted to cities- AMP sees little relief in sightBy Greg PeelThe rule of thumb is that house prices cross over into "unaffordable" territory when the median house price exceeds five times t...

Instep: Speaking the same language

The employment markets overseas are still very soft. This is notably the case in most Western economies such as the UK, Europe and the US. With this as a backdrop, what are the implications for Australian HR professionals?

US: Debt Deal, More Smoke And Mirrors

So there's an agreement on the US debt ceiling and spending cuts? Well, yes, but not until the Senate and the US House of Representatives approves it.

Housing: Bad Quarter, Weak Year

Building approvals slumped in June, the June quarter and the year to June while house prices for the year to June and the June quarter were also lower.

The Economy: RBA Sits and Waits

Interest rates are now on hold for at least another quarter, pushing the most logical date for a Reserve Bank decision back to the Melbourne Cup meeting on the first Tuesday in November.

Dear Prudence

By Greg PeelAt first glance the RBA's August monetary policy statement appears very similar to July's until one looks a little closer.

Apple vs. Samsung: Nokia Slumps to 3rd, Samsung 'Underwhelming'

According to a research firm, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has moved ahead of Finnish handset maker Nokia, with its flagship Galaxy S II product performing well. But Samsung's overall performance was underwhelming, considering the opportunities offered by the upheaval at Nokia, according to research firm Canalys.

Automotive Industry Facing Another Skills Shortage

Finding suitable and qualified tradespeople has re-emerged as a major challenge for the automotive sector in South Australia. A 2011 skill shortage survey by the state’s peak automotive industry group, the Motor Trade Association found that 69 per cent of respondents had experienced difficulty in attracting suitable people. This compares with 57 per cent the year before.

Uranium Edges Up

By Greg PeelLast week saw seven transactions completed in the spot uranium market, notes industry consultant TradeTech, totalling 700,000lbs.

Workplace or perk-place?

Organisations are misfiring when attempting to drum up employee loyalty and performance, by using increasingly elaborate company perks to retain staff.

Gossip not to be tolerated

Spreading rumours at work is indeed a sackable offence, with the decision to sack a Global Cranes worker who spread “salacious” rumours being upheld by the workplace watchdog.

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