BUSINESS

Local stocks have kick-started the trading week on a healthy note, with investor sentiment boosted by more clarity surrounding the Ireland bailout package and China's decision to tighten monetary policy.

Shopping mall landlord Westfield Group (ASX:WDC) today announced an agreement to sell a 50 per cent interest in the retail component of Westfield Stratford City for GBP 871.5 million ($A1.41 billion) to a new joint venture comprising APG of The Netherlands and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).

Queensland Nickel owner Clive Palmer poured down an early Christmas bonanza to his 800-strong workforce by throwing not only an early holiday party over the weekend but also surprising his employees with overseas trips and a brand Mercedes Benz for those the mining magnate regards as his top performers.

Recruitment company Humanis Group Ltd (ASX: HUM) today announced it has entered into a binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) with resource industry service provider ResCo Services Pty Ltd in which Humanis will acquire ResCo for $13.4 million through the issue of Humanis shares at $0.01 per share.

Spending across Australia continued to be snail-paced in October after contracting for 10 consecutive months, according to the latest Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) released today.

New research reveals Australians are missing an opportunity to save a staggering $743 million per year on insurance by not shopping around.

Oil and gas explorers Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BP) and Impress Energy Ltd (ASX: ITC) have agreed, subject to shareholder approval, to merge through a Scheme of Arrangement.

After a volatile week, U.S. stocks closed nearly flat over five sessions as worries over the rate of Chinese growth and the stability of European economies mounted and ebbed.

On Friday Chinese authorities raised the Reserve Ratio by 0.50pct to 18.5pct - marking the fifth such rise this year.

Shares in New Zealand coal miner Pike River Coal Ltd dropped sharply after reports of an explosion at its underground mine about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the town of Greymouth.

Local stocks closed slightly lower today as financial and mining stocks turned negative despite an impressive lead in from global share markets and higher commodity prices.

The Australian share market closed lower on Friday, as speculation of more interest rate rises in China dampened investor sentiment to risk.

OZ Minerals (ASX: OZL) says it has been advised by the Australian Securities & Investment Commission's (ASIC) that the corporate regulator's investigation in relation to, amongst other things, the Company's disclosure obligations during the period approximately 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008 has concluded.

Emerging iron ore mining giant Fortescue Metals Group Ltd revealed its approved investment plan up to $US8.4 billion or $A8.51 billion that would be used to ramp up the mining firm’s current iron ore production capacity to an estimated 155 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Bell Financial Group (ASX:BFG) intends to merge its Southern Cross Equities unit and Bell Potter stockbroking business into a full-service independent stockbroker to boost revenue.

Emphasising the extent of damage incurred by Qantas Airways’ Flight 32 during its engine blowout incident over Indonesia last November 4, an aircraft engine expert could only conclude that all-aboard on the A380 superjumbo effectively cheated death when the aircraft still managed to land back in Singapore.

Citing unattractive demand currently prevailing on the service route, Tiger Airways has decided to suspend its flights between Darwin and Melbourne for two months though it made clear that no complete pull out for the airline is in the offing.

Local stocks are enjoying solid gains in early trade on the back of a positive lead from overseas markets.

Australia's largest automotive retailer Automotive Holdings Group Ltd (ASX:AHE) has confirmed it is in discussions with several firms to acquire car dealerships although an agreement is yet to be reached.

Airport owner and operator MAp Group (ASX: MAP), formerly Macquarie Airports, today announced a lift in total passenger traffic at all airports in October.

Giant telco firm Telstra Corporation Ltd is banking on an expected surge in customer numbers is fiscal 2011, reaffirming that the company’s previously set financial guidance is within reach despite projections that earnings could suffer a bit in the current financial year.

U.S. stocks rose sharply Thursday as investors bet on a resolution to Ireland's debt situation and watched General Motors' shares climb on their return to the Big Board.

US jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 439,000 over the past week. However the four week moving average of claims - a better gauge of underlying labour trends - hit the lowest level since September 2008.

Virgin Blue scored a goal as the official airline of the Australian Football League (AFL) after the latter dumped Qantas on an $8 million-a-year contract.

The Australian share market closed higher, rising slightly from Wednesday's four week high as Sonic Healthcare, together with some mining and energy companies dragged the index higher.

Local stocks managed a win today as Asian markets snapped a four day losing streak on news the Chinese government has proposed temporary price caps to tackle inflation.

As Rolls Royce revealed that some 40 Trent 900 engines would require replacement on airlines using A380s across the globe, Qantas Airways gave indications that the national carrier would need to replace up to 14 engines currently employed by its entire A380 fleet, which remain grounded at this time.

The Westfield Group (ASX:WDC), Australia's largest shopping mall landlord, has taken the e-commerce plunge with the launch of Westfield.com.au - an online mall for Aussie consumers.

Tasmanian gold miner BCD Resources hurdled another scare this week and escaped fresh threats of receivership as it secured a $10 million loan at the last minute which should keep its Beaconsfield mine site operating, its 200 employees working and its major lender grinning, for now.