BUSINESS

Considering the focus of the markets this week, the Fed minutes have provided a welcome distraction to the preoccupation with crude.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates drank on Wednesday water from a machine that converts the faeces into electricity, water and ash. He compared the water to as delicious as that from a bottled one.

In US economic data, the trade deficit improved from a deficit of US$42.25 billion in October to US$39bn in November. The ADP employment survey showed that 241,000 private sector jobs were created in December, above forecasts for a 226,000 gain. And new home loans rose 11.1% in the past week with refinance transactions up 16%.

The local sharemarket finished the session slightly weaker, after a choppy final hour of trade. The All Ords (XAO) regained some early losses to close down 0.2 percent to 5,334, while the ASX 200 (XJO) lost 0.2 percent to 5,353.

The tanker Methane Rita Andrea made commodity history on Monday afternoon when it left Gladstone Harbour's Auckland Point to deliver to Singapore the world's first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) processed from coal seam gas (CSG).

Lynas Corp and other rare earths miners that sprouted after the 2009 exports restrictions China imposed are in for a hard time now that the major producer has lifted the export quotas.

Australian share are sliding for the second day with the ASX 200 Index down 0.6 per cent; adding to Tuesday’s 1.6 per cent slump. The price of oil fell to a fresh 5.5 year low overnight; dropping by 4 per cent. The more than halving in oil prices in just six months continues to put the energy sector under the most selling pressure.

Target Canada will decide the fate of its operations on Feb. 25.

Bungie teases surprises for "Destiny," while a player finds a new glitch that may have provided a glimpse at the upcoming content "House of Wolves."

Many of the economies in Europe may not have fully recovered from the severe recession that hit the globe in 2008.

The US market logged its fifth consecutive day of losses overnight, something it didn't do once in 2014. The last time it logged a five-day losing streak was December 2013.

The first week of 2015 appears to dispel previous forecast that it wouldn't be a spectacular year for Australia's iron ore sector after price of the commodity hit a five-year low of $66.84 on Dec 23, 2014.

In US economic data, the ISM services index eased from 59.3 to 56.2, below the forecast of 58.0. Factory orders fell 0.7% in November, a slightly larger decline than the 0.5% expected fall. And the Redbook survey of weekly chain store sales was up 4.3% in the latest week compared with a year ago, down from the 5.4% annual gain in the previous week.

New games and items featuring the “Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire” theme have been made available to fans.

Sports fans could kiss the dream match goodbye after the group of Abu Dhabi investors withdrew on the first week of January their $120 million offer for American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr to fight Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao.

New Zealand's economy is expected to grow in 2015 as it is buoyed by strong migration, low unemployment rates, stable salary growth and a strong New Zealand dollar.

Rice grown in Fukushima Prefecture has passed radiation checks.

Local shares were hammered today following heavy falls on European and US bourses overnight. Concerns about weak demand have been heightened, after the price of Brent Crude dipped below US$50 a barrel for the first time in five-and-a-half-years. Investors were also spookedovernight amid speculation Greece may exit the Eurozone.The All Ords (XAO) improved slightly from the day's lows to close down 83 points or 1.5 percent to 5,346, while the ASX 200 (XJO) dropped 85 points or 1.5 percent to 5,...

Australian shares have had their worst start in a month with the ASX 200 Index down 1.8 per cent at lunch. The weakness follows concerns about the future of Greece within the euro zone, substantial losses across global markets and a 5 per cent slump in the oil price overnight.

Oil magnate appeals divorce ruling as oil prices affect his personal fortune.

China may have to come up with a new strategy in order to counter a possible slowdown in 2015.

2015 is barely three trading days old and already the two biggest themes that were predicted to affect the markets this year are making headlines - oversupply of commodities and the Eurozone.

In US economic data, the New York ISM index rose from 663.4 to 673.8 in December.

Australian shares rose in the final 20 minutes of trade to end 0.3 per cent firmer in what was a choppy session. The ASX 200 Index was up by as much as 0.6 per cent at one stage today and was down by a little more than 0.1 per cent at its worst. Despite all holidays being behind us for major sharemarkets - volume is likely to remain light over the next fortnight.

Australian shares are improving at lunch despite a softer start. The ASX 200 Index is up by 0.3 per cent after a 0.8 per cent slump on the open. An air of normality is returning to markets this week following a fortnight of patchy trade due to holidays. Volume however is likely to remain quiet with investors still remaining in holiday mode for the first few weeks of a new year.

Apple Inc (AAPL) stock is expected to rise with the growing iPhone market share. Analysts expect the new Apple Watch to be made available in luxury retailers.

The fall in global oil prices has once again put the spotlight on Europe, with concerns that the region may inch closer to deflation.

On the first trading day of 2015, price of iron ore registered a slight increase to $71.26 per tonne on the spot market, up from $66.84 before Christmas. The improvement could be seen as an auspicious start for Australian iron ore miners who suffered a significant dip in income due to price of the key-steelmaking ingredient hitting a five-year low in 2014 because of the low demand in China and glut in supply.

Activity will slowly start to pick up again this week with market participants making their way back to trading after a break. China and Japan return to trade after having been on New Year's related breaks for most of last week. Attention is likely to be on Europe for the next few weeks as investors digest the developments from Greece and what this means for the euro. Comments made by Greek Prime Minister Samaras suggesting the country's euro membership is on edge heading into the January ...