BUSINESS

Across Asia, regional markets are shrugging off the weak close on US market to be higher across the board, seemingly boosted by a stronger-than-expected set of Chinese economic figures. The GDP and industrial production prints showed the economy rose faster-than-anticipated in the second quarter. In trade, the Shanghai Composite is the top performer, up 1.2% while the Kospi, Hang Seng and Nikkei 225 are all up between 0.4% and 0.9%.

Australia's reforms to improve on the retirement savings of citizens are still hanging and waiting to be addressed, according to the industry group Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) after meeting with government authorities

Property ownership has become Australians no.1 priority, with buying a home now regarded as even more important that having children, according to new research released today.

Encouraging economic data out of China today gave a much needed psychological lift to a market looking for any pockets of optimism. The 9.5% print on GDP was marginally above forecast, and significantly above the rumoured 9% figure which had earlier dragged risk assets off their session highs. Industrial production at 15.1% was a solid reading (versus 13.2% forecast), and Retail Sales numbers also showed some vigour coming in at 17.7%. All in all it was a pleasing set of data.

By Richard (Rick) MillsAs a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best informationThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has recently warned us the world will face higher energy costs, higher carbon emissions and greater uncertainty over security of energy supply if it ...

MIDDAY REPORT -CommSec (12.00pm AEST)After a stronger start to trade today, the Australian sharemarket has crept into negative territory with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 0.1 pct or 6.7 pts to 4556.8. Most sectors are lower with the exception of the industrials, telcos and healthcare stocks.

Consumer sentiment in Australia has plummeted to its lowest level in over two years, dragged down by European debt concerns and worries about the introduction of the price on carbon.

Confidence in housing picked up by 3.3% with the Index now at its highest level since January 2010, as a result of modest recent falls in house prices improving affordability. The uptick comes as overall consumer sentiment in Australia plummets to its lowest level in two years.

It is obviously in Germany's interests to both push solar power and use it. They make most of the good solar panels and it is one of their most important exports.

NAB has pushed back its forecast for an RBA rate rise until the end of the year, with a second to follow in mid-2012.

Human Capital recently reported survey findings that predicted an increase in salaries and employee benefits as organisations strive to combat the deepening skills shortage.

With employment intentions remaining positive, finding suitably skilled labour has returned to the agenda of many organisations.

Housing stock on market is falling, but still has some way to go before reaching the levels it saw last year.

Bright days are ahead for the mortgage broking industry despite a difficult credit market and increased regulation, Bankwest's Ian Rakhit has said.

The minutes from the FOMC meeting revealed that, despite the slowdown in economic growth, there was still little interest among Fed officials for a third round of quantitative easing - at least not in the short term.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 58 points or 0.5% while the S&P lost 0.4% to 1313 and the Nasdaq fell 0.

By Greg PeelThe spot uranium market took a turn for the worse the week before last, dominated by a couple of aggressive sellers bailing in the wake of Japanese reactors remaining idle post Fukushima and the so-called German U-turn.

U.S. stocks closed lower Tuesday as continued sovereign-debt worries, fueled by a rating agency's downgrade of Ireland, overshadowed hints that the Federal Reserve may consider additional stimulus.

MORNING REPORT- (7am AEST)The minutes from the FOMC meeting revealed that, despite the slowdown in economic growth, there was still little interest among Fed officials for a third round of quantitative easing - at least not in the short term. According to the minutes only ´´some participants´´ thought it would be appropriate to provide additional stimulus in the medium term if the unemployment rate remained elevated. However members spent most of the meeting firming up their exit strategy ...

MARKET CLOSE--Commonwealth Securities (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket extended its falls in the second half of trade today, with the ASX 200 index (XJO) down 1.9 pct or 86.9 pts to 4495.4 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) slumped by 1.8 pct or 83.3 pts to 4563.5. Almost all regions of the market ended lower with the exception of the coal producers.

Hewlett Packard has made organizational changes designed both to accelerate the scale and growth of its existing webOS business as well as to expand and enhance other HP product lines.HP released the Wi-Fi version of HP TouchPad at the start of the month and will release the tablet in other territories later in the month.

iriver Ltd., the South Korean company known for digital MP3 players, will start selling the iriver Story HD e-reader for US$140 this Sunday. The Story HD will be the first e-reader to connect to the Google eBookstore to download digital books using Wi-Fi

Apple Inc. has filed a complaint against HTC Corp., accusing Asia's second-largest maker of smartphones of infringing on the iPhone and iPad maker's patents. Apple has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to enjoin the Taiwanese company from importing its phones and Flyer tablets to the U.S.

U.S. stocks slumped Monday, as another round of anxiety over Europe's debt crisis spurred investors to flee risky assets such as stocks.

The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said its May leading index for 33 member nations had fallen for a second straight month, down from 102.8 to 102.5.

Property price growth in Australia may have stalled over the past year or so, but experts say there are still plenty of areas around Australia where property prices are continuing to rise and countless locations where values are expected to rise in the near future.

The National Australia Bank has slashed down its economic growth forecasts for the country based on its latest survey that shows very slight increases in domestic sectors in Australia for the last six months.

The cost of living in Australia has become the biggest concern for the next 12 months among upcoming property investors, new research shows.

- Australian business confidence slumps in June- Business conditions improve but still below long-term averages- NAB pushes out timing of rate hikes- Weak growth expected this year, solid improvement in 2012By Chris ShawNational Australia Bank's Monthly Business Survey showed a slump in busines...