COMPANIES

Firstfolio has seen revenues surge on the back of its acquisition strategy, and plans to continue to seek out acquisition targets.

Retail deposit growth has driven a stronger funding position for ANZ, the bank has stated.

What is behind Google's thinking and what kinds of outcomes can we realistically expect?

Atlas Iron Limited (ASX Code: AGO) has announced a 50 percent increase in its direct shipping ore (DSO) reserves, to 79.3 metric tons at 57.8% Fe, from its North Pilbara Projects.

Business sales figures across Australia posted disappointing numbers in July, according to a survey done by Commonwealth Bank on 200,000 merchant facilities.

Amazon sites had the largest global audience among major retail and auction sites in June, says comScore, Inc, a source of digital marketing intelligence.

Resource giant BHP Billiton says it will spend US$437 million to expand the Cerrejon Coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia.

A report this week from 9to5mac.com, citing sources inside Apple, says that the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has been deciding between an Oct. 7 or Oct. 14 launch date. . If Apple waits for next year, it won't be able to join other vendors taking advantage of lucrative sales during the holiday season.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket lost ground for the second time this week, with the ASX 200 index (XJO) falling 1.2 pts or 52.7 pts to 4251.2 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) dropped 1.2 pct or 52.4 pts to 4319.4. This takes the falls for August so far to 4 pct.

A strong product pipeline and continuing Asian growth have delivered Blackmores (ASX: BKL) its ninth consecutive year of record sales and profits despite Australian retail's problems.

Australian coal-to-retail conglomerate Wesfarmers reported a net profit after tax of $1.9 billion for the full-year ended 30 June 2011, an increase of 22.8 percent on the previous corresponding period despite tough retail conditions.

Australians who make excess concessional contributions to their superannuation may benefit from changes announced by the government Thursday.

Nearly 27,000 South Korean iPhone users are suing Apple for $26 million in a class action lawsuit for alleged privacy violations over the collection of user location information.

BHP Billiton will continue to outsource its recruitment needs despite details of an employment scam coming to light.

A society in Germany that sees itself as a watchdog for etiquette has labeled pecks on the cheeks at the office as inappropriate. According to the German Knigge Society, kissing is deeply offensive to German sensibilities, and such practices should be eliminated immediately, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sony Corp. is dropping the price of its PlayStation 3 gaming console by US$50 or 17 percent, as it looks to spur demand for the 5-year old console ahead of the year-end shopping season. Taiwan-based component makers, DigiTimes reported that production on the PS4 will start at the end of this year, and the new console will be launched next year.

Anyone eagerly waiting for the release of Windows 8 would want to check out Microsoft's new blog, Building Windows 8 which will streamline communications between developers, customers and manufacturers.

Silex Solar, the only Australian company which manufactures solar cells, will continue to manufacture solar panels at its Sydney Olympic Park plant. ABC earlier reported the company will stop making the cells at its western Sydney facility due to the "very tough market".

Every organisation has them – unwritten ground rules that shape the way the business operates.

An Australian human resources company has been left red-faced after receiving an official warning from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching the Spam Act, 2003.

Qantas's CEO Alan Joyce has slammed the claims of unions about the airline's new international strategy that were announced on Tuesday.

Growers of apples in Australia are calling on consumers to buy local produce as they launch a retail fightback against the introduction of imported apples.

Sony is cutting the price of its PlayStation 3 gaming console by $50, in a move designed to drum up more demand for the 5-year old console as competitors like Nintendo also slashed prices on their gaming consoles.

Hundreds of new jobs will be created with the planned expansion of CSL's manufacturing facility in Victoria, Australia.

Apple has plans to launch the next generation iPhone on Friday, October 7, according to a report on 9to5mac.com.

Sony Computer Entertainment lowered the worldwide price of its PlayStation 3 by another $50 on Tuesday, knocking its 160GB model to $249, and its 320GB model to $299.

Major Australian bank Westpac Tuesday reported $1.55 billion in cash earnings for April, May and June, down about 2 percent on the average for the first two quarters. Reported net profit after tax for the same period was approximately $1.45 billion.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket pulled back in the second half of trade to wipe out a portion of yesterday's stellar gains. The ASX 200 index (XJO) fell 0.8 pct or 35.6 pts to 4247.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) dropped 0.7 pct or 29.5 pts to 4317.3.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce’s new strategy will benefit Australia’s tourism sector, Tourism Australia says.