BUSINESS

Qantas Airways Ltd's (ASX: QAN) budget airline Jetstar has hinted it could further expand in Singapore and New Zealand this year as it forecasts opportunities in the region to grow, The Australian reported.

The Federal and Queensland state governments have announced extra assistance for small businesses and primary producers affected by the flood crisis.

Trading volumes continue to be light on the local market.

U.S. stocks extended their December run Wednesday, helped by energy stocks and a flagging dollar.

There was no US economic data released overnight after the weekly mortgage applications index was delayed until next week. I

An increase in risk appetite has seen the Australian dollar rally to fresh highs once again against the Greenback, reaching 1.0180 in the early hours of this morning.

The Australian share market emerged from the Christmas trading break to close flat.

Local stocks closed flat on the first trading day after the Christmas break, with volumes once again low.

Investors jittery of the volatile equity markets appear to increasingly train their attention on an unlikely but viable investment vehicle.

Property prices are expected to register a five percent growth by late next year predicts industry experts.

The downpours and flooding sweeping through the regions of Queensland and New South Wales would inevitably lead to losses that could cost the national economy some $7 billion, according to Australian economists.

Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE) said has agreed to sell its White King and Janola cleaning products business to Australia-based detergent maker Symex Holdings (ASX: SYM) for 37.9 million euros.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) will try to push through its proposed $7.8 billion acquisition of Australian stock exchange ASX despite strong opposition in Australia.

The heavy rains and flooding currently denuding much of Queensland would definitely impact on QR National Ltd’s earnings but the rail operator is holding back its estimates until actual assessments are checked in.

Mermaid Marine Australia Ltd (MMA) (ASX:MRM) has won a contract to provide supply base services to Chevron Australiain in support of the energy giant's exploration and production drilling activities off the North West Shelf and ongoing production facilities on Thevenard Island.

Retail Food Group Ltd (ASX:RFG) says it had reached a conditional agreement to acquire the New Zealand master franchise business for the Esquires Coffee Houses franchise system.

Trading volumes are very light on the local market after the US and European markets closed mixed overnight.

China’s decision to reduce its export quota of rare earths boosted Lynas Corp’s prospect in the international market for the priced minerals and pushed up the emerging producer’s shares value in Australian market by at least 13 percent.

Property firm Goodman Group Ltd (ASX:GMG) and partners, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the All Pensions Group and the China Investment Corporation have made their formal bid for the ING Industrial Fund (ASX: IIF).

Forecast rising interest rates will affect the housing industry says a Global Real Estate Trends report.

Indian firm Tata Steel is ready to work with any firm poised to acquire coal miner Riversdale Mining Ltd, where the giant South Asian steel company holds a 24 percent interest.

Tower Australia Group Ltd (ASX:TAL) says Japan's Dai-ichi Life Insurance had offered to acquire all of the issued shares in Tower that it does not already own for $4 cash per share. Dai-ichi currently owns 29 percent of the Australian company.

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is one among a leading group offering to buy out industrial real estate firm, ING Industrial Fund .

As the water level rises in the River Murray, median property prices are also increasing in the Alexandrina Council area climbing by as much as 12.5 percent to $370,000 in December.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings Ltd found a viable ally for its Indian business interests on Welspun Corp Ltd, which recently acquired a 35 percent stake on the Australian contractor’s operations in the subcontinent for roughly $103 million.

U.S. stocks are mixed, with the blue chips slowly but surely climbing through the trading session, getting some help from a Treasury market that is diving.

On Christmas Day the People´s Bank of China lifted benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points.

The festive season has proved to be no deterrent for the Australian Dollar with the commodity currency rallying to highs near 1.0150 as of yesterday’s North American session.

First home buyer loans in the Australian Capital Territory plunged by as much as 50 percent during the three months to October 2010 says a housing report.