BUSINESS

Xstrata Coal's $186 million of investment in early works and exploration in Queensland, including the $6 billion Wandoan coal project, has resumed after the announcement of a revised resource rent tax, according to the company.

Sharon Olalia Jul 07, 2010

Wall Street opened strongly last night, failed, and then kicked at the close. There is now a clear battle between buyers and sellers. Dow up 57.

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

On Wall St overnight, stocks opened sharply higher after a three day break, with the S&P 500 rising from a 10-month low amid speculation earnings growth in the upcoming reporting season will help equities rebound from their cheapest valuations since the March 2009 bear market low.

James Kong Jul 07, 2010

The US ISM services index eased from 55.4 to 53.8 in June, below forecasts centred on a result near 55.0.

James Kong Jul 07, 2010

U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday, with Microsoft, Alcoa and Bank of America among the gainers, although continued concerns about global growth sapped some of the market's earlier gains.

James Kong Jul 07, 2010

Employers are getting more confident with the economic upturn and are intending to hire more personnel in the coming months, according to a recent Hudson survey.

Christine Gaylican Jul 07, 2010

As expected, no rate rise from the Reserve Bank yesterday and indeed, rates could be on hold for an indeterminate time i...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

The other side of the current economic paradox, referred to in yesterday's story on car sales, was shown in the May trad...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

It was hardly the most ringing endorsement for the outlook for the Australian sharemarket.But in the end, the main obje...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

Building materials group, Boral, aims to raise about $490 million to fund investments, reduce debt and pay for asset wri...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

Macarthur Coal yesterday raised its full-year profit forecast by about 10% after revealing a late surge in exports in ...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

Harvey Norman Holdings is set to deliver a cheque for more than $55 million today to seal the deal involving its takeover of more than 30 branches in the Clive Peeters retail chain.

Sharon Olalia Jul 07, 2010

North Queensland authorities are investigating a case of what seems to be a mass vegetable and fruit sabotage.

Christine Gaylican Jul 07, 2010

As economists predicted, the Reserve Bank of Australia has kept cash rates on hold, giving debtors another month of regular payment costs amid rising inflation pressure.

Sharon Olalia Jul 07, 2010

As part of its on-going consultation with stakeholders, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) today announced its intention to call a meeting in September 2010 with environmental NGOs on its guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).The revise...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

The maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula is 1 mg/kg and the amount of the chemical allowed in other foods and animal feed is 2.5 mg/kg, according to new rulings from the United Nations' food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission.Melamine is a chemical used in a varie...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

The life of public floats for the rest of the year has been cast into uncertainty after volatile equity markets claimed the $1.3 billion offer of Bilfinger Berger's Valemus, Australia's second-biggest civil construction company.

Sharon Olalia Jul 07, 2010

Copper prices have been relatively resilient in recent months but positive market fundamentals suggest upside for those with a longer-term view on the market.

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

Cameron Clyne, chief executive of Australian banking major NABsays he is not opposed to having a debate on whether the government imposing a super-profits tax on Australian lenders.Speaking at a business lunch, Mr. Clyne said that banks suffered perception of "large numbers". Australian banks posted...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

Financial planners are fiercely opposing the proposal by the Cooper Review, which would ban commissions on insurance in superannuation, fearing that many clients will not be able to afford a fee which is charged upfront. The Association of Financial Advisers has leveled the accusation against many o...

Admin System Jul 07, 2010

The Australia 200 CFD Index closed 1.3% firmer at 4276.1, with financial, energy and industrial names adding most of the points.

Admin System Jul 06, 2010

Across the region, Asian markets are mixed following a complete lack of leads overnight and in very thin, holiday-affected trade.

James Kong Jul 06, 2010

The Australian market has today shrugged off weak leads, bouncing off the "flash crash" lows to make strong gains following Reserve Bank commentary this afternoon.

James Kong Jul 06, 2010

Xstrata renewed its earlier commitment of spending up to $186 million in canned exploration projects following the government’s decision to dump its proposed resources super profit tax in exchange for the tax deal it forged with giant mining companies.

Erik Pineda Jul 06, 2010

While Holden has yet to start local assembly of the four-cylinder Cruze model, the company said on Monday that its imported version is already a hit with Australian buyers and in June alone, the becomingly popular car pushed 3000 units out of dealers’ stations, en route to the more than 14,400 units snatched up for the first six months of the year.

Erik Pineda Jul 06, 2010

Chief Executive Don Matthews, of the Penola Pulp Mill subsidiary, said yesterday that he is confident that construction of the largest ever mechanical pulp mill will become a reality soon.

Christine Gaylican Jul 06, 2010

Official figures furnished on Tuesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that the country posted a trade surplus for two consecutive months going into May and many economists are in agreement that Australia is all prepped up to enter a series of surplus performance in the months to come.

Erik Pineda Jul 06, 2010

The Australian share market has started the day off weaker once again with the S&P/ASX 200 index down 0.1pct or 2.2pts to 4219.9.

James Kong Jul 06, 2010

Boral has identified a new strategic model and has announced its plans of raising $490 million to support investment and reinforce its balance sheet.

Christine Gaylican Jul 06, 2010