BUSINESS

By Greg PeelThe problem with assuming the price of gold simply has to go higher in the current short and longer term climates is that everyone is pretty much on the same page.

Some good news on interest rates and consumer confidence yesterday means the economy isn't in such a gloomy place as many had thought especially economists, and possibly the Reserve Bank.

In the Gulf, developers are learning from what did not work and moving on to what is feasible for all. Property developers in the Gulf are trying something new in the market -- focusing on actual housing demands with great consideration to economic reaches of the potential occupants.

Stable rates have proven a boon to consumer confidence, with more households now eyeing the housing market than at any time in the past two years.

Target.com's Website crashed on Tuesday morning following intense cyber interest created by its sale of Missoni items, an Italian fashion brand known for zigzag knits and bright patterns.

A US economic forecaster has claimed mortgage brokers could actually benefit from a housing bubble.

Brokers need to stop disputing low valuations, as it will seldom lead to any change in the original assessment, industry valuation management firm ValEx has said.

Microsoft has expressed optimism on Wednesday that despite the worldwide slide on sales of personal computers, Windows will remain relevant in the tech world that has largely been transformed by mobile computing.

By Jamie Saettele,Prepared by Jamie Saettele, CMTThe month + crude rally may be nearing completion. The advance can be counted in a corrective manner (wave c diagonal).

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 140 points or 1.3% while the S&P gained 1.4% to 1188 and the Nasdaq added 1.

Minecraft 1.8, the latest adventure update to the hugely popular sandbox building indie video game written in Java by Swedish creator Markus "Notch" Persson, is now officially live.

Qantas workers belonging to the Transport Workers Union will strike on Sept. 20 for four hours. The job walk-off is over enterprise negotiations, particularly a 5 per cent pay increase and clauses that would limit the use of contract labour.

Stocks surged as investors found reasons for optimism in a barrage of headlines from Europe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 140.88 points, or 1.27%, to 11,246.73, after a day of whippy trading.

In a press conference, Sony Corp said it is set to kick off the global rollout of its new PlayStation Vita on Dec. 17 in Japan. NTT Docomo, Japan's biggest mobile carrier, will provide prepaid 3G plans for PS Vita users. Although criticized for setting a high price, Sony said in August there was no need to cut the price of the PS Vita from the announced figure of 24,980 yen ($325) for a Wi-fi only model and 29,980 yen ($390) for a 3G plus Wi-fi version.

Australians are feeling the negative effects of natural disaster s and calamities on the national economy.

Australian gamers will have a reason to celebrate this season as Microsoft announced that it has slashed the price on its Xbox 360 and Kinect bundles by AU$50 in time for the Christmas season.

Sony announced that it will launch its next generation handheld device, the PlayStation Vita on December 17 in Japan but insisted that it will not reduce the price of the device despite its rival Nintendo slashing the price of its console.

Buggy or not, due to popular demand, we're giving a quick guide on how to install Minecraft 1.8:

Italian officials have confirmed meetings between government ministers and officials of China's investment arm early this month but denied that bond purchase was the agenda of the talks.

Australian consumers have regained their positive outlook in the present month, thanks much to the steady cash rate benchmark being implemented by the central bank in the past quarters plus the economic recovery posted at the close of the first half of the current year.

Coca-Cola Amatil has expressed plans to launch a legal action against the upcoming Northern Territory recycling initiative that would provide a $0.10 incentive for every plastic bottle returned to a beverage manufacturer.

The REIA has broken with other data providers in reporting growth in Australian property values for the June quarter.

On the eve of the Federal Government's October Tax Forum, new research from MYOB has found more than two thirds of Aussie business owners (71%) want the Business Activity Statement (BAS) simplified and three quarters (76%) want to have the GST rules reviewed and clarified; while over one third (33%) said that addressing these concerns would impact their voting intentions.

Microsoft gave developers a taste of its new OS at the company's Build conference on Tuesday in California when Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows team, offered a full preview of its upcoming Windows 8.

Indicating the difficult times Australian businesses are going through, insolvencies in the country rose 12.1 per cent in the June quarter, according to the latest survey by credit agency Dun & Bradstreet.

Australian flag carrier Qantas plans to get a larger cut of the Chinese passenger market by planning to bring five carriers to China, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

- Brokers pick up coverage on Collins Foods- Both UBS and Deutsche Bank rate stock as a Buy- Upside from continued solid same store sales growth- New store openings, refurbishments should also grow earningsBy Chris ShawCollins Foods ((CKF)) is one of Australia's largest restaurant operators, co...

By Greg PeelIn mid 2007, many were concerned over a growing credit problem in the US with regard to subprime mortgages.

The Australian Dollar has opened slightly weaker this morning as the FX markets continue to be driven by headlines out of Europe and the US.