BUSINESS

Equity markets in the U.S. that had moved higher yesterday despite worse than expected economic data have now flipped back into negative territory.

Microsoft previewed its latest version of the Windows OS at the All Things D conference in Taipei and it is a marked departure from every version of Windows that's preceded it. The new generation Windows 8 has a completely new tile-based interface that is more touch based than any version of Windows.

Incoming chairman of Fortescue Metals Andrew Forrest is being hounded by issues that the board under his leadership will just be merely a rubber stamp and will not question his decisions, according to the Australian Shareholders Association.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) announced today that its upcoming award-winning SnapdragonTM family of smart mobile processors, including the MSM8960TM with integrated 3G/LTE modem, is designed to power devices running the next version of Windows.

Software giant Microsoft Corp on Wednesday unveiled the next version of Windows, internally code-named "Windows 8," to help the partners build devices that take advantage of the new user experience at the 2011 Computex.

Stardeals, a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events as part of the global Groupon Inc. network, this week began offering deals for the first time in Perth.

Australia’s current iron ore prices are at risk from competition with the coming of Brazil and Africa as market players, warns a new report from an international journal.

U.S. stocks plunged Wednesday, suffering their biggest drop in almost a year, as a slew of downbeat reports prompted fears the economic recovery was running out of steam

The Australian sharemarket is having a very tough day today after receiving a weak lead from global markets overnight. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) is down 1.7 pct or 81.9 pts to 4706.7. All sectors are currently lower, with the financials, miners and energy stocks the worst.

The retail sector saw improvements in the month of April as its sales chalked up better numbers that signaled a better outlook for the local economy, according to the latest data issued on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Australian sharemarket slumped in early trade today after receiving a weak lead from global markets overnight.

In 2009, more than 132,710 households in Australia are millionaires, according to a Boston Consulting Group survey. In 2010, personal wealth fell in spite the mining resources boom.

Australian airline Qantas (ASX: QAN) was forced to ground a plane after flight attendants discovered five rats inside medical equipment just minutes before passengers were due to board.

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 279 points or 2.2% while the S&P lost 2.3% to 1314 and the Nasdaq dropped 2.3%.

Tasmanian timber group Forester Gunns Ltd was a market star yesterday with a surprisingly strong surge in its share price after it issued a short statement that on repeated reading was actually a statement of the group's corporate strategy.

- GDP negative 1.2% worst since 1991- consumers still saving but wages pressure growing- business investment is back- not a lot to sway the RBABy Greg PeelI've come to appreciate that following economist forecasts of an upcoming quarterly GDP result is just like watching an auction on eBay.

Excessive self-belief: a leader needs to be assured and act decisively. However, don't become like Caligula or Kim Jong-Il of North Korea, who believe they have superior knowledge and decision-making ability despite lack of supporting evidence. On your team, how many people will question your opinions, offer contrary views or suggest other options? More positively, do you seek out other perspectives and evidence to check your thinking?

It can be argued that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd's Andrew Forrest retirement yesterday boosted the value of the company by around $600 million, with some 30% of that improvement flowing to his already huge fortune.

Beijing's Chinalco and Rio Tinto will explore mainland China for world-class mineral deposits under a joint venture (JV) formalised today. The JV is subject to Chinese regulatory approvals and once established will operate under the name Chinalco Rio Tinto Exploration Co. Ltd. (CRTX).

Australian stocks overcame a weak start to finish flat on Wednesday, as market players digested positive manufacturing data from China and better than expected domestic gross domestic product (GDP) figures.

The US ISM manufacturing gauge slumped from 60.4 to 53.5 in May - the lowest reading since September 2009.

U.S. stocks finished the day's session and May on a buoyant note, shrugging off a spate of weak economic data as investors cheered a new bailout plan for Greece.

The takeover bid of Spain's food giant Ebro of Australia's Ricegrowers Ltd will no longer push through as some shareholders in the latter rejected the bid.

The South Australian apple growers will file a protest before Canberra's Parliament House to stop the importation of apples from New Zealand.

The world's leading e-commerce company Alibaba.com now has well over 550,000 Australians using it as a business source, with an average of more than 20,000 people signing up to its site each month, latest figures show.

A proposal to buid a third runway has been pushed by Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong as passenger traffic is seen to grow more in the coming years.

- Bradken surprises with capital raising- Funds to be used for increased capex and possibly acquisitions- Broker earnings forecasts and price targets trimmed- Two ratings downgrades on the back of the raisingBy Chris ShawBradken ((BKN)) yesterday unveiled a $162 million capital raising and the openi...

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the all-new 2012 Passat, a vehicle that brings new standards to the highly competitive midsize segment, with a starting MSRP of $19,995. The 2012 Passat offers exceptional features and premium options in three power trains and a variety of equipment levels, with equally impressive pricing.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) added another continent operating the new Boeing Sky Interior with last week's delivery of a Next-Generation 737-800 to GOL Airlines - one of the world's leading low-cost airlines and launch customer in Latin America for Boeing's innovative interior.