BUSINESS

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 3/20/14

Local stocks fell for the second time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down 1.1 per cent. No sectors escaped the selling by the close of trade, with losses between 0.2 per cent and 2 per cent recorded across the market. The mining sector was the biggest drag, slumping by 2.03 per cent. Australia's four largest miners - BHP Billiton (BHP), Rio Tinto (RIO), Newcrest Mining (NCM) and Fortescue Metals (FMG) wiped out 11.8 pts from the All Ordinaries Index (which fell by 60 pts today...

New Zealand Economy Outperforms US, UK, Australia with 3.1% GDP Growth

New Zealand's economy grew 0.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013 which indicates the programs of the government are working, according to Finance Minister Bill English. New figures released on March 19 showed that the country's GDP had increased to 0.9 per cent in December which total growth in a year to 3.1 per cent. Compared to the same quarter in 2012 which had an annual average growth of 2.7 per cent, New Zealand's GDP was 3.1per cent higher in the recent December quarter in 20...
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Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 3/20/14

The US FOMC meeting resulted in the Fed reducing monthly asset purchases from $65 billion to $55 billion. The minutes suggested a shift in forward guidance. The Fed dropped its promise to hold rates steady ´´well past the time´´ the US unemployment rate falls below 6.5% and will look to use a wide range of measures in deciding when to raise rates. The Fed´s assessment of the recent US economic weakness was chalked up to adverse weather conditions. The US Current account deficit narrowed from $96....

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 3/19/14

The Australian share market has closed slightly firmer today, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) adding 12.8 points or 0.2 per cent by close to 5373 points. The market had a volatile session, with the All Ords being down to 5351 points at one time, despite positive offshore gains.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 3/19/14

The Australian sharemarket is modestly higher at lunch, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up by 0.1 per cent. Investors are remaining on the sidelines as the U.S. central bank is halfway through its two-day monthly meeting. Global sharemarkets surged overnight as Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has no plans to seize other areas of Ukraine.
Military personnel, believed to be Russian servicemen, walk outside the territory of a Ukrainian military unit in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol.

Global Markets Overview – 3/19/14

As expected, the Russian Federation will look to absorb Crimea and for it to be fully integrated as early as January 1 2015. Celebrations in Red Square kicked off on the announcement from President Putin that the referendum from the weekend was evidence enough that Crimea 'wants to be run by a stable sovereignty, and that is Russia.'

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 3/19/14

In US economic data, the consumer price index rose by 0.1% in February to stand 1.1% higher than a year ago. The core rate (excludes food and energy) also rose 0.1% to be up 1.6% on a year ago. Housing starts eased by 0.2% to a 907,000 annual rate in February but permits rose by 7.7%. And net capital inflows to the US totalled $83 billion in January following outflows of US$126.7 billion in December.

Apple Inc’s Tablet Dominance in Australia Challenged by Cheaper Android Tablets

Apple Inc's iPad sales in Australia is challenged by cheaper tablets running on Google's Android operating system as tablet sales in the country doubled in 2013. According to a new study, the less expensive Android tablets are slowly gaining on Apple in Australia. Technology firm Telsyte has released data from a study which revealed that 4.8 million tablet computers were sold in Australia in 2013. The firm estimates that this translates to 9.4 million Australians owing and using tablets. A...

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 3/18/14

The Australian sharemarket ended higher for just the second time in seven trading days. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) finished 0.5 per cent firmer to 5360.2, remaining below the 5400.0pt mark but bouncing from a one-month low. All sectors finished higher by the close.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 3/18/14

Buyers were able to make an impression on the ASX200 in early trade on Tuesday after the index shed 1.76% in the last 2 days. The improved tone saw every ASX sector trade higher over the course of the morning. The positive momentum was dominated by Materials and Financials, helped by economic news out of the US which revealed a better than expected reading on industrial production which rose by 0.6% in February, above forecasts for a 0.1% gain.
A woman uses a mobile device while walking past a Telus store in Ottawa February 19, 2014. Canadian telecom companies have paid a combined C$5.27 billion ($4.78 billion), a record high amount, to secure licenses for prime airwaves on which they plan to bu

Canadian Wireless Carriers Hike Prices

With nary a competition in sight, Canada's big three wireless carriers have all raised prices for their monthly plans by $5 as well as on their discount brands Koodo, Fido and Virgin. All their base plans now cost the same.
Members of the Ukrainian Navy stand on top of the Ukrainian navy ship Ternopil at the Crimean port of Sevastopol March 11, 2014.

Global Markets Overview – 3/18/14

Some of the weakest political and economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia overnight as Crimea is officially recognised as a sovereign state by the Russian Parliament, with President Putin signing a decree.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 3/18/14

n US economic data, industrial production rose by 0.6% in February, above forecasts for a 0.1% gain. The New York Federal Reserve manufacturing index rose from 4.48 to 5.61 in March, near market forecasts. And the National Association of Home Builders index rose from 46 to 47 in March, short of forecasts centred near 50.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 3/17/14

he Australian share market closed lower on the first trading day of the week, as Crimea concerns continued to weigh on investors' minds. Exit polls on Sunday showed 93 per cent of voters in Crimea chose to secede from Ukraine and re-join Russia in a referendum the West has labelled illegal.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 3/17/14

The Australian sharemarket is slightly weaker for the fifth time in six trading sessions. Concerns relating to a referendum on the future of Crimea in Ukraine is keeping investors on edge. The vote is considered by the West to be an illegal undertaking. One of the reasons why markets are a little concerned is that Russia supplies Europe with more than a quarter of its oil and gas import requirements.

Global Markets Overview – 3/17/14

The weekends are becoming the 'days of choice' for China to announce major policy changes, with the PBoC announcing the widely touted widening of the trading band on the CNY on Saturday.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 3/17/14

In US economic data, producer prices fell by 0.1% in February while core prices (excludes food and energy) fell by 0.2%. Both results were weaker than forecast. Consumer sentiment fell from 81.6 to 79.9 in March, below forecasts near 82.0.

Apple Inc (AAPL) First Quarter Performance a Disaster? Analyst Warns of Stock Crashing

Apple Inc is on its way to a 'disastrous' first quarter for Fiscal Year 2014 as analyst Brian Blair of Wedge Partners delivers the bad news about the company's Q1 performance. According to Mr Blair, Apple may be having a bad first quarter. He warned investors that Apple's stock could crash after the company releases its first quarter earnings.

New Zealand Dollar to Increase Weekly Due to Reserve Bank's Interest Rate Hike

The New Zealand dollar is expected to have a weekly gain of 0.9 per cent following the interest rate hike of the Reserve Bank. The Kiwi dollar rose to 85.39 U.S. cents as on March 14 as of 5pm in Wellington from a previous close of 84.55 cents. The Kiwi dollar rose to an 11-month high at 86.06 cents before trading at 85.23 cents by 8am on March 14. According to a BusinessDesk survey of 11 analysts, the Kiwi dollar is predicted to trade between 82.75 and 86.35 U.S. cents by the end of the week.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 3/14/14

The local market had its second worst day of the year; is trading at a one month low and recorded its worst week in three months. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 1.5 per cent today, taking the losses this week to 2.37 per cent (worst week in three months).

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