BUSINESS

- Investors have this month become more optimistic on the back of improving data regarding US consumers- Paying attention to details, however, suggests some of these data are not as good as they seem- Proprietary surveys by the Consumer Metrics Institute shows US consumers are spending less instead ...

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 117 points or 1.0% while the S&P fell 0.8% to 1314 and the Nasdaq lost 1.0%.Australia woke yesterday to an IMF report suggesting firstly that the string of natural disasters earlier in the year will impact on local economic growth and, more broadly, that there was a risk of ...

After a very strong run in recent weeks, the AUD has taken a breather overnight, with a drop in commodity prices and a stronger USD pulling the AUD back below the USD1.0500 level.

To secure Australia energy supply requirements, the government has declared its largest area for offshore petroleum exploration in more than a decade.

The Australian dollar’s upsurge has affected Foster’s beer business, subjecting the company to a shareholders’ vote by month end that will divide the company into halves. SABMIller shows interest on the great divide.

Almost 70 per cent of residential builders expect housing affordability to deteriorate over the next three years, according to new data.

Concern is growing among Australian builders on whether private sector demand will pick up in time to compensate for reduced public demand as government stimulus programs come to an end.

- Algae.Tec has established its US assembly centre- The company will shortly list in ADR form in the US- An independent report values AEB shares at $1.

Workers at the Royal Dutch Shell BV's fuel refinery at Clyde and Gore Bay Terminal in Greenwich, Sydney, NSW are in danger of losing their jobs as the company would likely convert its facility to a fuel import terminal.

Shell Australia says it plans to convert its Clyde Refinery and Gore Bay Terminal in Sydney Australia into a fuel import terminal.

The Australian economy is emerging progressively from the slump caused by natural calamities and a severe shoot up in interest rates at the end of 2010.

Shell Australia Chief Ann Pickard declared yesterday Shell is in no rush to decide on the trade of its 24 per cent share in Woodside Petroleum to BHP Billiton.

Leighton Holdings Ltd. (Leighton) received ‘BBB’ long-term and ‘A-2’ short-term corporate credit ratings from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

- Spot U3O8 market goes quiet with few utilities buying only- It would appear a return to prices pre-Japan crisis remains unlikely for foreseeable future By Greg PeelOne assumes that the tone at last week's World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Chicago would have been somewhat more sombre than if i...

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 1 point while the S&P fell 0.3% to 1324 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.3%.Will profit-taking be the story of this quarter's US earnings season? If Alcoa is any guide it might be.

- DJ Carmichael initiates coverage with Buy on Gindalbie- Karara project expansion should grow earnings- Value on offer despite a likely equity raising By Chris ShawGindalbie Metals ((GBG)) is an emerging iron ore producer, owning the Karara project in Western Australia with joint venture partner An...

With little in terms of significant local events yesterday the Australian dollar drifted slightly lower overnight to open this morning at a rate of 1.0497.

The IMF maintained 2011 and 2012 global growth forecasts of 4.4pct and 4.5pct respectively, in its latest world economic outlook.

An Australia-wide research study into fraud committed by bookkeepers has revealed new evidence of the size of the problem and its devastating impact.

The Australian Dollar opened Friday morning finding fresh new support above the 1.05 level against its US Counterpart.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) says it has entered into agreements with Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd to bring Shell into the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project as a natural gas supplier and equity participant.

After completing a major review of its operations and asset base which has resulted in a revision of the profit forecast for the 2010/11 financial year, Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) says the group now expects to report a loss of $427 million for the financial year versus its previous guidance for a profit of $480 million after tax.

- Alesco sells Marathon Tyres division- Divestment completes non-core asset sales program- Stockbrokers see value from improved efficiencies in remaining core businessesBy Chris ShawBuilding products group Alesco ((ALS)) surprised the market last week with the sale of its Marathon Tyres business.

Australians are missing out on more than $4 billion in unpaid interest annually by placing their money in low-interest bearing accounts, according to new data released today.

Australia is closely watched by other countries in the Asia-Pacific as to how it will implement a very tough anti-smoking law that seeks to discourage the habit and promote a more healthy lifestyle.

(This story was originally written and published on March 30, 2011. It has now been repeated to make it available to non-paying members at FNArena and to readers elsewhere).

The US White House and Republicans made a budget deal on Friday night to prevent closure of Government offices.

Barely a month after his announced retirement from the Macquarie Group, chairman David Clarke has succumbed to his lingering illness today at age 69.

Despite Japan’s latest earthquake in the northeastern coast which is an aftershock of the tremor on March 11, Asian stakes managed to rise in the market.