BUSINESS

The Australian Dollar had a strong rise on Friday evening finishing over 0.9900 as the weaker than expected non-farm payroll data from the USA for November fell short of expectations.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) today announced a recommended and unconditional on-market cash offer for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Impress Energy Ltd (ASX: ITC) that it does not own.

Australian Dollar: Unlike our cricketers who have wilted in the Adelaide heat, the Aussie dollar rallied sharply on Friday night and opens the new week at 0.9900.

US non-farm payrolls (employment) rose by 39,000 in November, well short of expectations for a gain of 130,000.

The Australian share market held onto its early gains sparked by positive offshore leads to post its first weekly gain in three weeks.

The Australian share market held onto its early gains sparked by positive offshore leads to post its first weekly gain in three weeks

Local stocks ended the last trading day of the week in the black, however came off earlier highs due to falls on the Chinese share market and a predicted lower start for Wall Street.

Two giant resources companies are poised to join forces and combine their resources in exploring the mineral riches of China in a joint agreement announced on Friday.

Global miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said today it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chinalco to establish a landmark exploration joint venture in China.

Again proving their worth as industry leaders in automotive sales, Toyota Motors and sports utility vehicles led the pack anew in the overall motor vehicle sales in November that slightly boosted Australia’s car market in the month.

New laws were proposed in parliament to allow the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 to cater to industry needs better.

Brisbane City Council's proposed plan to develop South Brisbane that includes allowing buildings 12 storeys high was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia.

The Australian government's National Urban Policy discussion paper, Our Cities: Building a Productive, Sustainable and Liveable Future, garnered support from the Property Council of Australia.

Australia bonds weaken in response to stronger US data and optimistic global economic outlook.

The North South Wales government has gone ahead in approving the draft proposal for a subdivision spanning the Pacific Highway to Hearnes Lake and Sandy Beach.

Australian contractor John Holland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI), today announced it has been selected as the preferred proponent for the management of the Country Regional Network (CRN) by the NSW Government's Country Rail Infrastructure Authority.

International miner Equinox Minerals Ltd (TSX and ASX: EQN) said today it intends to declare its recommended takeover offer for Citadel Resource Group Ltd free of all defeating conditions if Equinox receives an interest in Citadel shares of more than 50 per cent on or before 5pm Western Australia Standard Time on December 16, 2010.

Striking an out-of-court settlement on the celebrated sexual harassment case against David Jones Ltd was only appropriate, according to the luxury retailer.

Australian stocks are recording another solid session of gains, thanks to a firm offshore lead on encouraging US economic data and reports the European Central Bank has bought Portuguese and Irish bonds.

First home buyers remain active in the market although their numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent based on figures presented by the Office of State Revenue.

Qantas Airways Ltd is seeking for financial compensation on losses it incurred due to the Airbus engine troubles that hounded the airline’s numerous flights and forced its entire A380 fleet from flying for a number of weeks on November.

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has made their own suggestions to improve flexibility of the the government's proposed First Home Savers Account.

Housing prices in Australia's Gold Coast are dropping by as much as 30 percent with increasing properties up for sale and rising unemployment and interest rates hurting the major tourist destination.

The Australian Dollar has opened almost one US cent higher this morning as global sentiment turned positive overnight.

U.S. stocks climbed Thursday, extending the market's strong start to the month as better than expected chain store sales and pending home sales painted a brighter picture of the U.S. economy.

Australian Dollar: Local results drove the Australian dollar for most of the Asian session yesterday with a mixed bag of data being released.

Russia has won the right to hold the Football World Cup in 2018 and Qatar will hold the event in 2022.

The Australian share market surged 1.8 per cent to a two-week high on positive economic data from the US and China and the prospect of quantitative easing in Europe.

An increase in the local share market is noted today buoyed by the overall good economic performance in the Asian region.