RETAIL/CONSUMER GOODS

Australia sees surge in full-time jobs

National jobs figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed a significant rebound in the employment market, confirming the underlying strength of the Australian economy.

Australia's Government scales back on carbon tax

The Australian government has mellowed down its carbon tax policy that would not be too much of a burden to small and medium enterprises. Industries affected by the carbon price had been reduced to 500 from the previous 1000, the government said.

Australia's construction sector index skids further in June

The national construction industry contracted further in June with solid falls in new orders and activity across the sector. The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI®) in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association, fell 3.8 points to 35.8 (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction in activity).
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Australia's manufacturing sector rebounds in June

The manufacturing sector in Australia has begun its positive production kick in four months in spite the difficulties in coping with the high value of the Australian dollar and subdued local demand.

World Market Insights: IG Markets

From IG Markets Analyst Ben Potter:On Wall Street overnight, stock finished the quarter and end of the first half in bullish fashion, logging its fourth consecutive gain as Greece passed a second crucial vote on the implementation of the latest austerity package and a much stronger-than-expected Chicago PMI number.

Australia's business confidence staggers to 15-year lows

Small business support for the Australian Government has fallen to a 15-year low, according to the Sensis Business Index released today. SMEs have become much less supportive of the Federal Government’s policies, with the indicator declining sharply during the quarter to be the lowest level since February 1996.

Australia's small businesses must brace for tougher year

Small businesses in Australia should brace for more pain this coming financial year, the ANZ warns in its latest report released on Wednesday as the power of a stronger dollar and the lure of the Internet marketing on Australian consumers will continue to weigh down on sales.

Zynga to Launch $1B IPO Tomorrow

As world-wide fans give much regard to their virtual farms, pets, mafia gangs, game creator Zynga has deemed it necessary to cast $1 billion international public offering (IPO) tomorrow, 30 June.

Aussie share market, dollar step up

At lunch the Australian share market is having a much better day, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) around 0.4 pct or 19.7 pts higher to 4533.5. Close to all sectors are higher, with gains from the banks and miners helping to keep the market in positive territory.

Australia's PM Gillard paying price for unpopular carbon tax

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard is celebrating her first year in government with almost 60 percent of citizens wary of extending support to reforms she wanted to undertake specifically a carbon emissions tax deemed unpopular in an economy fueled by the mining sector.

Market expectations: Market leads to flat trading

The Australian stock market is seen receiving a little shove from the negative leads over volatile overnight sessions in the US and European stock markets. The ASX is seen performing modestly on Friday.

Australian property values weaken further in Q1

National property values fell by 2.1 percent during the first quarter of 2011 made worse by weak results from January and February, an inaugural report from Commonwealth Bank and RP Data has revealed.

Rising food prices altering people's diets

People around the globe are changing what they eat because of the rising cost of food, according to a new global survey released today by international aid agency Oxfam.

Australia's consumers wiser than ever

The uncertain times have made Australian consumers less of a spendthrift and all the more of the conservative shopper preferring to stay clear of debts and save as much from their pocketed incomes.

Number of overweight Australian men increasing, alarming

Australian men are overweight, have a higher risk of cancer, prone to illicit drug use, injury, and smoking and have a shorter life expectancy that women but don't expect them to see a doctor about it, at least according to a recent study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Woolworth’s expansion plans hits land block

The retail giant's $1.4 billion plan to dominate its competitors in the home improvement market hit a giant block in limited land space in key sites. Bunnings, the leading hardware retail store and the one Woolworths is gunning for has already gobbled up land during the global economic crisis.

Affected cattle industry farmers to tap $5-M contringency fund

The Australian livestock industry may get a reprieve from the financial debacle posed by the six-month-cattle ban to Indonesia by tapping into the $5-million contingency fund of the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), said Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig.

Lady CEO takes charge at Sydney Airport

For the first time, Australia's biggest airport will be managed by a woman effective on 1 July, the company said as Ms Kerrie Mather has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sydney Airport.

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