BUSINESS

Credit agency Moody's Investors Service on Monday affirmed Australia's top rating for its government debt citing the country's strong economic outlook despite a risky local bank's borrowing overseas.

The Australian dollar continues its march upward trading in the 1.0990’s this morning after equity markets, gold, oil and commodities in general continue to trade higher and the USD remains weak.

More Australian women are buying property alone, according to new research.

By Rudi Filapek-VandyckThe TD Securities – Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge rose by 0.

At the end of its annual general meeting, ALTIN AG (SIX: ALT, LSE: AIA), the Swiss alternative investment company, commented on its final results for 2010. In a generally gloomy financial environment, ALTIN achieved a very positive investment performance in 2010 of +12.47%, easily outperforming the funds of hedge funds index, HFRI FoF (+5.67%). Its highly liquid portfolio allows its manager to follow a dynamic management approach and to take advantage of the investment opportunities.

Cosmos Technologies, the product development arm of Indus Valley Partners, today announced the addition of a new product - "Cosmos Cash Master" to its product suite.

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), the global hedge fund association, has launched an initiative to engage with the Brazilian hedge fund industry and announced the appointment of a local representative, Michelle Noyes of BRZ Investimentos.

Sean Thomson, senior residential adviser at www.wbpproperty.com, says it’s possible to boost your home’s value with just a few strategic, low cost renovations.

Urban taskforce CEO Aaron Gadiel is arguing that the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that Sydney's housing shortfall is "running well short of government projections".

Consumer confidence in the U.K. has been severely shaken, only a wedding of such pomp and ceremony as that of the future King of England can pull the nation out of the doldrums, even if only for the day. Whether the country's collective euphoria can translate into economic goodwill, however, is in question.

For Australian investors this could either be regarded as largely irrelevant or as a valuable free lesson where we can learn from the pain experienced in other markets having been largely insulated ourselves.

There is a commendable focus on better protection and stronger engagement for investors in the package of reforms announced this week by the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten.

On Friday, China's currency the yuan, broke past 6.50 against the US dollar, its highest official level since a currency revaluation in 2005.

Australians continue to cut their borrowing levels at a time when their per capita wealth has reached a record high.

Recent upward momentum and weakness in the Greenback propelled the Aussie Dollar to fresh highs yet again during yesterday's Asian session, topping out at 1.0940 before heading into offshore trade holding above the 1.09 handle.

A soaring Australian dollar produced a diving Australian sharemarket on Friday as investors decided that record dollar levels are bad for business.

US consumer sentiment rose from 67.5 to 69.8 in April, ahead of forecasts centred on 69.6.

U.S. stocks extended their multi-year highs Thursday as the market clung to optimism generated by the Federal Reserve's plans to keep interest rates low and the flow of encouraging corporate earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 72.35 points, or 0.6%, to 12763.31.

New York-based global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) has taken a 10 percent interest in Masan Consumer Corp., a leading producer and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Vietnam.

A major Australian building and construction industry association in Victoria is calling on the State Government to honour its election promises in Tuesday’s State Budget by cutting Stamp Duty and reforming the planning system.

An addition to Australia’s largest Apple stores is soon to open in the succeeding months in the city of Brisbane. This is a result of yesterday’s announcement of plans concerning the $10.5 million renovation of historic MacArthur Chambers.

Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) had completed the sale of a 35 per cent stake in its Indian operations to leading diversified Indian conglomerate, Welspun Group. The Australian company said payment was received yesterday.

Australia's internet service providers are wary that the planned National Broadband Network (NBN) may push up their prices much to the dismay of customers.

Macquarie Group Ltd. (ASX:MQG) is optimistic that with better market conditions, the second half of the year would bode well for its businesses particularly for Macquarie Securities and Macquarie Capital.

A $1.6-billion aluminium smelting plant that will be put up in Malaysia’s Sarawak state by a partnership of two major Chinese and Malaysian groups will have a capacity of 370,000 tonnes a year.

Australian capital city dwelling values fell by a seasonally adjusted 2.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index.

On the eToro trading floor, sentiment among eToro's oil traders was bullish in favor of buying by a ratio of 14 buyers to 6 sellers.

Housing affordability is by far the main issue facing first home buyers, according to the latest survey from Loan Market.

The master plan for the future delivery of financial advice has been mapped out.