BUSINESS

The preference now for the free processing with an EFTPOS machine is taken as a sign of changing customer tastes. John Simon, chief manager of the Reserve Bank Australia's (RBA) payment policy department said, “These are good things. People are making rational decisions.”

The financial year 2009-2010 looks “pretty good” in the eyes of the stockbrokers and financial adviser group, Presscott Securities.

The Australian stock market is trading lower again today on the back of the overall weakness from offshore markets.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed on Wednesday that overall construction work completed in the second quarter of 2010 soared to a record high $41.7 billion as residential building activities surged during the past three months leading to end of June.

Childcare costs for working parents may eat up more than 10 percent of their family's net income if reforms take place.

Road management firm Transfield Services Ltd (ASX: TSE) said on Wednesday that it has sealed a preferred contractor status for a $US172 million or $A195.21 million contract with Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Seven Group Holdings (SVW)) appears all set for growth for the financial year ahead because of its annual net profit of $718 million.

US federal regulators announced on Tuesday that two Spanish investors were charged with insider trading as they tried to capitalise on BHP Billiton Ltd’s recent bid to takeover Canadian firm Potash Corp of Saskatchewan.

Property investors should consider the possibility that retail banks may raise rates independently.

Large and small scale businesses in Australia now have an undermanned and overworked staff.

US existing home sales fell by a record 27.2pct in July to a 15-year low of 3.83 million following the end of a home-buyer tax credit. Forecasts had centred on a result near 4.70m.

U.S. stocks fell Tuesday, with Boeing, Alcoa and Caterpillar leading a broad slide as a record drop in U.S. existing home sales added to investors' worries about the health of the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 133.96 points, or 1.32%, to 10040.45, its fourth straight drop.

The simple shipping port town of Port Hedland begins makeover projects that will mark its transformation into a regional city.

It is not just the uncertainty in the political climate that keeps business players from making moves. The drop in investment housing loans this year could also be taken as a sign of property investors saving up for the spring selling season.

Australia's second largest electricity retailer Origin Energy (OGFGF) will build multi billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, four of which, to be located in Queensland.

After disclosing a loss of $464 million, Australia's brewer and wine maker Foster's Group now states that a formal decision has not yet been reached on the much speculated splitting of their wine and beer divisions.

Canadian fertilizer producer Potash Corporation (POT) moves on to urge its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Australia mining firm BHP Billiton (BBL).

Reports published in a Canadian newspaper on Tuesday have indicated that giant mining firm Rio Tinto Ltd is seriously mulling a takeover bid for PotashCorp of Saskatchewan, with a Chinese partner in tow.

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) expressed apprehensions on Tuesday that Jetstar’s accelerated pilot training program could put cadets with less experience in control of the company’s fleet of aircrafts.

Stock market shares hit the lowest figure this August. Shares are lower by one percent this afternoon.

New South Wales retailers expressed indignation on Tuesday as property group GPT announced its decision to abandon its $600 million Newcastle inner-city development project and blamed the state government for refusing to support the Hunter Development Corporation (HDC) renewal report.

Travel agency firm Flight Centre Ltd (ASX: FLT) said on Tuesday that it has garnered a three-fold full year profit growth for fiscal 2010, declaring that further earnings growth could be expected for the remaining part of the year.

In its sustained campaign to gain more foothold into the ballooning iron ore market, Swiss mining giant Xstrata announced on Tuesday that it is set on a friendly takeover of Sphere Minerals Ltd.

More than half a billion dollars was spent on the construction of buildings, roads, and bridges and on the purchase of equipment needed for construction in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Electricity supplier Ergon Energy issues a warning against a company offering cuts to electricity bills from a simple plug-in device.

Tiger Airways said on Tuesday that it would stop servicing routes between Adelaide and Brisbane and between Adelaide and the Gold Coast starting November 11 due to the dismal performances of the flight destinations.

Retirement village operator Aevum posted a net profit of $28.6 million in the past 12 months.

Amidst the company’s demerger plans for its beer and wine businesses by 2011, brewer and winemaker Foster’s Group Ltd (ASX: FGL) reported on Tuesday that it suffered an annual net loss of $464 million for fiscal 2010.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) business sales indicator index in July shows a flat line for consumer spending. The plateau in expenditures still shows a cautious market, but it is a welcome relief for retailers.