BUSINESS

Average profit growth could be as high as 20 per cent across the sectors for the 30 June reporting season on the back of improving local economic condition

As extra value-add, FNArena publishes book reviews this week. Today's is the first in an initial series of three.

Australia's major retailer Wesfarmers (ASX: WES) says it had a strong performance over the year after boosting sales by 4.3 per cent at its Coles supermarket business.

Australian and Japanese and stock futures jumped as European banks hurdled the stress test reducing uncertainties that a global economic recovery is slowly happening.

Fuelled by spiking demands from China and India for its resources and equally boasting of a steady growing labour market, Western Australia proved itself as the country’s strongest performing economy, soaring past the ACT as it slid to second spot on the latest CommSec state and territory economic rankings.

The Australia Dollar has opened up in the mid 0.8900's after another modestly strong showing from US and European equity markets on Friday.

The Australian share market is expected to open stronger today, bolstered by gains on Wall Street last Friday.

Only seven of 91 European banks failed stress tests - Hypo Real Estate Holding AG, Agricultural Bank of Greece SA and five Spanish savings banks. The European regulators say the seven banks need to raise 3.5 billion Euros in capital.

Despite the uncertainty facing the European banking system the AUD/USD remained range bound on Friday bouncing between 0.8900 and 0.8970 for the majority of the Asian and offshore trading sessions.

The Australian market looks set to follow the US lead today with the ASX 200 called to test 4500 on open.

We've only had a week of the election campaign so far, but we are well on the way towards a rate rise from the Reserve B...

Who do the Europeans think they are fooling with the bank stress tests?Just seven banks from 91 tested failed the stres...

The European bank stress tests and the second quarter earnings flow in the US last week overshadowed what could be a tur...

Oil prices should ease today after the storm threatening the Gulf Of Mexico fields, especially the BP oil disaster, ease...

Inflation and the impact on local interest rates will dominate attention in Australia (see first story) this week.The CP...

Inflation and the impact on local interest rates will dominate attention in Australia (see first story) this week.The CP...

Australia's second largest pizza maker Eagle Boys Pizza has been named Joint Winner of the 2010 Australian Business Award for Retail Excellence in recognition of its recent growth, achievements and contribution to the industry.Eagle Boys was selected from 186 entries from a range of Australian priva...

In an Australian first, Farm Pride has launched Powdered Whole Eggs onto Australian supermarket shelves.  The 150 gram packs are equivalent to a dozen eggs, and are now located in the baking aisle of all Coles stores nationally.With a long shelf life, Farm Pride's Powdered Whole Eggs can be used in...

E*Trade Financial the online brokerage company has returned to profitability after posting second quarter profits for the first time in three years.The company has not faired well after its business was negatively impacted by bad loans made by its banking division, which reported its seventh consecu...

Nestlé has a strong and growing business in coffee mixes worldwide. This business is especially strong in the Asia Pacific region, and is expected to continue to grow over the coming years. In response to this growing demand for coffee mixes, Nestlé has created a new hub for innovation in beverage...

Master trust funds have outperformed industry trusts in the fiscal year ending on June 2010, with return rates of 12 per cent compared to rates of 9.7 per cent for industry trusts.

The Gold Coast’s Oracle development will house prime luxury in two high-rise towers when the hotel opens some time before the year ends.

LS-Nikko Copper Inc, a major Korean-owned copper smelting firm, has announced it will buy 12.5 per cent shares in Sandfire Resources NL, Australian minerals exploration firm, through a share placement worth $93.9 million.

Clive Palmer, the mining tycoon, has announced that is resuming his campaign against the Gillard administration’s proposed rent tax on minerals resource.

The Australian market held onto strong gains closing the day 1.9% firmer on broad based strength.

Australian mining firm Anglo American Plc has resumed operations in its Drayton coal mines after an accident this morning that affected five workers, hospitalizing four.

Australian mining firm Anglo American Plc has resumed operations in its Drayton coal mines after an accident this morning that affected five workers, hospitalizing four.

AGL Energy has announced that it has successfully diverted some of its debts to the American market as a part of its scheme to make the firm’s debt maturity longer and to diversify its sources of financing.

Woodside Petroleum’s search for suppliers and gas for its Pluto project seems to be getting delayed second stage approval into 2011 at the least.