BUSINESS

CBA Widely Expected To Raise Interest Rates Independently

Australian banking major, CBA may become the first lender to raise its interest rates independently of the Reserve Bank of Australia.In justifying its decision, the lender said that its net interest margin was under pressure from higher costs.CBA, which this week reported the highest ever profits fo...
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No more interest rates hike as jobless Australians increase

Australia's unemployment rate was a seasonally adjusted 5.3 per cent in July, compared with an unrevised 5.1 per cent in June, according to data issued today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). With the softer job figures, economists predict there will no more interest rate increases this year.

Myer's full-year sales improve

Australian department store chain Myer (ASX: MYR) today reported a 0.7 per cent increase in full-year sales and forecast earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to exceed previous guidance.

Telstra reports lower full-year profit

Australia's telecommunications giant Telstra (AZX: TLS) today announced a 4.7 per cent decline in full-year net profit and forecast lower earnings in the year ahead.

Aust stocks to plunge on weak global economy

The Australian bourse is set to dive today after receiving negative leads from offshore trading overnight. Key market indices all plunged, while oil slid and only gold gained among key metals.

Qantas net profit declines

Australian airline company Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) today announced its net profit for the year to June 30 slid 4.3 per cent to $112 million from $117 million in the previous corresponding period.

The Overnight Report: It's A World Of Worry

A delayed reaction to the Fed. Weak Chinese data. Currency concerns in Japan. GDP downgrade in the UK. You name it. Dow down 265. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEST)

Profits: Stockland Up

Stockland, Australia's biggest residential property trust, might have stormed back to full-year profit because of inc...

Air fares soar to highest level

Domestic air fares have increased to their highest level in more than a year, with discount fares more than 5 per cent higher in August.

WTO final verdict: NZ apples to hit Aussie shores

The World Trade Organisation has publicly released its final ruling, vetoing stringent Australian quarantine rules and allowing the widespread importation of New Zealand apples into Australia.The 598-page ruling was released on Monday, and found that the import risk analysis underpinning Australia's...

Kosher slaughter in NZ gets interim reprieve

A New Zealand judge has ruled that shechita kosher slaughter practices in New Zealand can resume until a lawsuit filed against Agriculture Minister David Carter comes to trial, most likely next year.Justice Dennis Clifford of Wellington's High Court confirmed to the Jerusalem Post that the Crown Law...

Sainsbury's milk bags trial a success

UK grocery retailer Sainsbury's will roll out their "eco-friendly" milk bags and jugs across their milk range, after a successful trial of 2% fat milk bags, which sold at double the expected rate.Sainsbury's said that milk is one of their biggest selling lines. Shoppers are now buying 120,000 semi-s...

Fonterra defends products amid new Chinese contamination claims

Fonterra has been forced to publicly defend the quality of its products amid allegations that Chinese customer and infant formula maker Synutra, whom Fonterra supplies, has sold milk powder that has caused premature breast development in three girls.The New Zealand dairy giant yesterday confirmed it...

ThinkSmart upbeat on further growth despite shares retreat

Following its announcement of interim dividend non-payment for the full year 2009/10 in order to retain funds and finance growth projections in the United Kingdom, ThinkSmart Ltd shares plunged by more than 13 percent on Wednesday.

CommBank defends monster profit

The Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) defended its record net cash profit of $6.1 billion, up 42 per cent from last year, saying the group supported thousands of Australians through employment and dividend payouts.

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