BUSINESS

Builders’ activity drops in June

A widely monitored construction activity private index takes a turn for the worse this June, ending three straight months of progress.

Telstra focuses on new revenue channels

After a year of NBN talks with the Government, Telstra chief executive David Thodey says he now has its sights set on diversifying the business and satisfying unhappy customers.

Xstrata mining projects resume

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.
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The Economy: RBA On Hold

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

Trade: Surplus Soars In May

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

Central bank maintains rates

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.

International experts limit Melamine levels in food

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...

Unsuccessful Valemus sale slams IPO market

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.

NAB Chief Says Open To Debate Over Bank Super Tax

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...

Financial Planning Associations Rail Against Cooper Review Proposals

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...

IG Markets - Afternoon thoughts

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

Local market bounces back; RBA holds fire

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.

Xstrata announces restart of shelved Queensland projects

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.

Holden set to locally produce the best-selling Cruze

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.

$2b Pulp mill project expected to push through

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.

Australia sees two straight months of surplus, yet markets remain steady

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.

Boral’s new strategy needs $490m

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

Sigma says no formal offer yet from Aspen

Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Australia’s major drug manufacturer, says it has not been given any formal offer by Aspen Pharmacare of South Africa as of yet, as the latter intends to continue carry out due diligence.

Uranium Awaits The DOE

The spot uranium market was quiet last week ahead of the final US Department of Energy inventory sale for 2010.

AIR Midday Market Roundup

The market is down 11. The SFE Futures were down 13 this morning. It looks as if the market will close down for the 10th...

Canegrowers shocked on CSR’s Sucrogen sale

Canegrowers, the sugar lobbyist group, says it is ‘surprised’ about the sale of CSR’s sugar and renewables arm, Sucrogen, to Wilmar International Limited, a company based in Singapore.

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