BUSINESS

US non-farm payrolls (employment) rose by 54,000 in May, well down on the 232,000 increase in jobs in April and short of economist predictions for an increase in jobs of 150,000.

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region have remained quiet at the end of Monday's trading as public holidays in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea have kept only Tokyo's Nikkei and Australia's S&P 500 working until the afternoon.

Australia has generated fewer jobs in May, according to a survey made by the ANZ Bank, which was reflected in lower job placements posted online or on newspapers.

Amidst swirling reports that it is working on a $4.9 billion takeover of Centro Properties Group’s Australian assets, Lend Lease Group revealed on Monday two upcoming projects worth an estimated $1 billion that will keep the company busy over the next three years.

Lend Lease Group has secured two contracts worth a total of more than $1 billion.

John Brumby, Alexander Downer and John Lord have been announced as independent Directors to sit on Huawei Australia’s newly-established Board of Directors. The Board will be charged with overseeing Huawei’s local strategy and developing further inroads into the Australian market.

A survey of bank, insurance and financial services employees had found more than half selling customers unnecessary financial products, just to reach management driven performance targets.

Given the millions of super fund members, the 2,000-2500 complaints received annually by the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal seem relatively small in number.

Well, if we thought last week was a big one for the Australian economy and policy (and investors), then this week is even more vital.

The Australian dollar has opened up in the mid 1.0700’s this morning after the jobs data released from the US for May on Friday night fell short of expectations.

Toyota's Altona car making plant in Melbourne is expected to return to full production from this week.

Another rotten week for markets around the globe, with most notching a fifth week in a row in the red.

The high volatility in markets continues to hurt commodities, with that rush for yield and gains in April gone and seemingly forgotten.

The Australian Property Investor magazine revealed today the top 100 suburbs in Australia with the fastest growing rents.

Vanguard expanded its exchange traded fund (ETF) range this week, adding three new funds to its suite of Australian and International equity ETFs.

Sucrogen today announced an agreement to buy the Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited (PCSMA) for $115 million dollars.

The U.S. Labor Department earlier today released its private sector payroll report for May.

he same group, "LulzSec," that attacked Sony Corp's film site also went to destroy an FBI-affiliated Web site in Atlanta in retribution to the NATO alliance's "act of war" against hackers.

Kogan will release a laptop based on Google's Chrome operating system on June 7, beating Asian PC makers Samsung and Acer as first to release the Chromebook.

Australia's share markets drifted lower today in subdued trading conditions as investors and traders took a breather after a wild week. Losses were limited by bargain hunting and technical support at the low point established in the last fortnight. Globally, markets are on hold ahead of the non-farm payrolls data to be released tonight in the US, analysts said.

Thousands of Australians are eligible for tax benefits as a result of the ATO’s response to a recent High Court decision.

Australia's employers led by an industry group and the retailers association have warned of the possible consequences of the minimum wage increase approved by authorities.

Former long-serving Leighton (ASX: LEI) chief executive Wal King today broke his silence, ending speculation he would be returning to the Australian contractor

Australian commercial property giant Centro Properties Group Ltd. has reportedly received a $4.96 billion cash offer from Lend Lease Group in February this year that would allow the latter to takeover Centro’s Australian shopping complexes.

Shares tumbled by over 2 pct yesterday, marking the biggest daily percentage fall in close to 12 months. It is a much better day for the market today however, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down a modest 0.3 pct or 16 pts to 4667.2.

- April traffic stats improve for Qantas- Union issues remain a threat to brand- Strike action appears priced in- Brokers in general remain positiveBy Chris ShawYesterday Qantas ((QAN)) released traffic statistics for April, the feature being a strong increase in domestic yields that combined with a...

Property analysts indicate it’s a ‘buyers’ market’ at the moment, but there are signs prices could drop in the coming months. Should you wait?

Five aboriginal groups in the Western Pilbara region is set to benefit from the mining resources boom in Australia as they confirm signing an agreement with mining firm Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO).

With spot gold currently trading at the 1539.73 level, near term sentiment remains cautiously bullish going into Friday's closely watched U.S. Employment Report.