BUSINESS

The Central Bank today hinted an increase in interest rates as Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens said policy makers would manage what he described as a "robust economic upswing".

Uranium explorer Toro Energy Ltd (ASX: TOE) said on Monday that it is nearing the realisation of its uranium mine site following the approval granted by Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the company’s scoping document for its Wiluna project.

Airport operator MAp Group (ASX: MAP) said on Monday that its majority-owned Sydney Airport saw soaring traffic in August as passengers travelling through the terminal registered 2.95 million in the month, which the company said was the best August result so far.

Generation X and the Milliniums could benefit from the retirement of the baby boomers.

The Australian currency is trading higher as the greenback weakens in the lead up to a lunchtime speech by the Reserve Bank of Australia governor.

After hitting a four-month high last week, the Australian stockmarket backpedalled at Monday noon, as miners and banks suffer profit-taking.

Construction materials specialist James Hardie Industries SE (ASX: JHX) said on Monday that it would appeal a Federal Court decision that ordered the company to pay back taxes of up to $US318 million or $A339 million, owed by its subsidiary RCI Pty Ltd.

Unlike the unstable share market, the bond market shows strength on Monday with the December 10-year bond futures contract slightly increased to 94.870 from Friday's close of 94.850.

Some of the largest employers of NSW secretly planned to flee the state after their power and gas bills soared up to 50 per cent, it has been revealed.

With more banks expressing willingness to settle the Storm Financial questions left behind by its collapse in 2008, a consumer group also expressed happiness that a resolution for investors affected by the meltdown may finally be in sight.

Spending picked up as Australian consumer outlook marginally improved, but is not a "cause for celebration" according to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA).

The Australian Education Union (AEU) in Tasmania will be seeking for teachers near retirement age to be offered payouts in order to open teaching opportunities for young educators.

Single pensioners living in public housing in New South Wales take a temporary relief from paying more rent as the federal government intervenes in their case.

Closer cooperation between the government, the resource industry and community is crucial in sealing a better prospect for future mining activities in New South Wales, that according to the NSW Minerals Council.

The lawyer for the families suing giant mining firm Xstrata over the alleged high-level of lead poisonings in Mount Isa, Queensland said over the weekend that the company’s pronouncements for a hasty resolution in the case last week were nothing but lip service.

Cost-conscious consumers are opening their wallets to items sold at charity clothing shop Saint Vincent de Paul.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) keeps options open on a possible equity issue even if it pushes through with the $4.3 billion purchase of a controlling stake in Korean Exchange Bank (KEB).

The AUD traded up into the mid 0.9400's on Friday evening but has started this week lower around the 0.9370 level as equity markets eased in Europe and the US on concerns of sovereign debt issues in Ireland and Portugal and a weaker consumer confidence survey from the University of Michigan.

US consumer sentiment eased from 68.9 to 66.6 in September, short of forecasts centred on a result near 70.0. US consumer prices rose by 0.3pct in September but the core measure (excludes food and energy) was unchanged in the month.

U.S. stocks climbed narrowly into positive territory on Friday, as technology companies added to the week's modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13.02 points, or 0.12%, to 10607.85 Friday.

Firmly convinced that its planned alliances were crucial for growth, embattled Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX: VBA) said over the weekend that it is bent on arguing its case with government regulators to finally win their approval on the proposed partnerships with US and New Zealand airlines.

Economists and the entire retail industry may not be in favor of conservative consumer spending behavior, but the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it is still a positive sign.

QUEENSLAND Treasurer Andrew Fraser gave the nod to the four to five billion dollar-plus Queensland Rail (QR) National float.

Economic productivity will get a lift with growth in infrastructure.

Customer care and special field services provider Service Stream Limited (ASX: SSM) is seen as a very likely participant in the National Broadband Network project.

The Australian market could start the week low since trading on Saturday morning was 22 point lower at 4637.

The Australian currency was higher at Friday noon, nearing a two-year high, as traders take stock after a dramatic week on currency markets.

The Australian currency finished at two-year high on Friday, returning to heights held before the financial crisis.

The competition watchdog has blocked Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd's proposal to raise fees for regional airlines that operate from Australia's national gateway because it could not show that costs had increased enough to warrant the rise.