BUSINESS

The Australian share market closed higher on Wednesday on investor optimism that debt-burdened Greece will access more bailout money and avoid generating more financial turmoil.

The Federal Reserve cut its forecast for US economic growth, following the FOMC meeting. The Fed downgraded 2011 growth from the range of 3.1-3.3pct to 2.7-2.9pct.

Despite losing millions due to a string of natural disasters and rising fuel prices, Qantas Group expects to report $500m to $550m profit for the year ending 30 June 2011.

The Reserve Bank is trying to convince us that it is serious about another rate rise, but it is just as reluctant not to pull the trigger because of the weak state of large parts of the domestic economy.

Australia's commodity export earnings are forecast to top a quarter of a trillion dollars, a record in the 2011-12 financial year that starts in nine days time.

SABMiller and its local mate, Coca Cola Amatil are dreaming if they think they can get Foster's for the current cheap 8.2% premium in the $4.90 a share offer, which bobbed up yesterday.

The Australian sharemarket is gaining for the second straight day with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 0.7 pct or 33.5 pts to 4598.7. Almost all sectors are higher however mining stocks are the best improvers at lunch.

Westpac reports the annualised growth rate of the Westpac?Melbourne Institute Leading Index, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity three to nine months into the future, was 2.

Women who smoke while pregnant increase their child's risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 20 percent, a new study has found.

Institutional buy-side investors see the emerging financial markets as a source of ongoing positive returns as developed markets continue to show slower growth and increased risks. According to TABB Group in new research published today, prime brokers hold the key to the hardest-to-access markets based on their ability to provide cost-efficient access products as well as technology platforms, including direct markets access (DMA) systems and cross-region, cross-asset portfolio management too...

At a basic level, electronic alpha capture is poised to become a major work flow tool forevery portfolio manager and broker-dealer to prioritize data points and opinions, pushing the most relevant ideas to the surface.

By Richard (Rick) MillsAs a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best informationThe rare earths are a group of 17 elements comprising Scandium, Yttrium, and the Lanthanides.

U.S. stocks closed sharply higher Tuesday, notching a fourth-straight day of gains, as investors bet Greece will take the appropriate actions toward averting a sovereign debt default.

The reticence of Australian households to spend has been well-documented, but yesterday we got news that was mixed, to say the least about why they are saving.

A Senate decision on the future of the exit fee ban was postponed yesterday, after hopes from industry that it would be overturned.

Union delegates are employees who provide on the ground representation for union members.

Australian shares held on to early gains to put in their best performance in about a week on the back of firm offshore leads.

US existing home sales fell by a less than expected 3.8pct to an annual rate of 4.81 million units in May.

Bankwest has informed broker partners it will maintain its existing clawback structure following 1 July.

A major international report has predicted that average food commodity prices will be much higher this decade than the last.

The Australian sharemarket is making up for yesterday’s pullback and the All Ordinaries index (XAO) is 0.8 pct or 36.3 pts stronger to 4548.8. Almost all sectors are higher with the mining and energy players amongst the most significant improvers at lunch.

Australian consumers have been carefully weighing their spending and priorities have been set to stop themselves from buying things that are unnecessary.

Reports of a possible BHP Billiton takeover on Perth-based Woodside Petroleum emerged on Tuesday, contradicting earlier speculations that the mining giant is considering a buyout amidst Woodside’s numerous woes on its Pluto LNG project.

Export earnings from the rural and mineral resources sectors are expected to reach a record of $256 billion in 2011-12, according to the Australian commodities-June quarter 2011 report, released by ABARES today.

Google and the British Library recently sealed a deal that would allow the tech firm to scan some 250,000 copyright-free books and make them available through its Google Books services.

By Greg PeelThe week before last saw minimal activity in the spot uranium market which was largely a result of attendance at the World Nuclear Fuel Conference, but last week was hardly a hive of activity either.

- Russell Investments remains cautious on investment outlook- Global equities slightly cheap, better value relative to Australian shares- Australian dollar remains overvalued- Reversal in commodity markets still expectedBy Chris ShawAs Russell Investments points out, the recovery in global share mar...

Its acquisition of Skype almost a certainty with the recent regulatory approval pushed by the $8.5 billion deal, Microsoft gears up its consolidation move on its new pet by letting go of executives that experts said is a move that would save up some cash for the new owners of the fairly popular internet calling firm.

Australians are still paying too much in bank fees, with banks raking in over $4 billion in 2010 from bank fees on household accounts alone, according to financial comparison website RateCity.