South Africa plans to set up a state-owned pharmaceutical company, a senior official in the ruling ANC party said on Tuesday, a move that could squeeze local players in one of the world's biggest market for anti-retroviral drugs.
Nokia's first Windows phone, code-named Sea Ray, which Nokia CEO Stephen Elop showcased to employees last month, has now appeared in a short video preview on a Windows operating systems forum in Asia.
Although Facebook is the most popular site in America, consumers "don't like" the social networking site, according to the 2010 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) E-Business Report, produced in partnership with ForeSee Results. Facebook scored 64 on the ACSI's 100-point scale, which puts its satisfaction even lower than IRS e-filers.
Microsoft announced Monday that it is issuing a monetary reward in the amount of US$250,000 for new information that results in the arrest of operators of the Rustock botnet.
AFTERNOON REPORT
(4.30pm AEST)The local share market once again finished flat, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) virtually unchanged at 4539.4. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) closed down 3.9pts to 4468.1.
It is now looking more like th eApple iPhone 5 will be released in September as subcontractors of the leading American phone manufacturer have confirmed to be gearing up for the said date of release, reports said.
MIDDAY REPORT
(12.15pm AEST)Australian shares are trading flat at lunchtime in the East, as gains from energy players are offset by losses from the financials. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.7 of a point to 4539.2pts. Energy players are faring best, with the sector firmer by 0.8pct. Woodside Petroleum (WPL) shares are up 1.7pct to $38.90 after reporting a 17pct rise in 2Q 2011 revenue to $1.19 billion. Production for the same period fell 7pct.
ING Direct has warned that brokers could become irrelevant as a distribution channel for the lender if they continue to send the majority of loans to the big four.
Risk management strategy is now at the forefront of the overhaul list, according to a survey conducted at the Queensland Safety Show, held in Brisbane last month.
The 'natural' ability to be self-aware falls within the realm of a rarified group of individuals. Self-awareness is reliant on a set of complex skills not intuitively shared by all. As a leader of others, one needs to understand and recognise a sophisticated set of variables that include: our own motivational drivers, an ability to step outside oneself, the capacity to understand what turns your team on and why they show up each and every day and the ability to read body language and other...
Two leading global investors in gold equities, Blackrock Investment Management and Baker Steel Managed Funds have committed to subscribe to a total of $50 million new shares in a new company arising from the merger of Catalpa Resources Limited (ASX: CAH) and Conquest Mining Limited (ASX: CQT).
According to the University of Michigan's Eco-Driving Index, CO2 from new cars in the U.S. is down 14 percent from 2007. That's a significant gain, especially since the number of American drivers is up four percent.
Bus passengers in Brisbane are bound to be affected by a strike action planned by drivers and workers on Thursday, 21 July.
It appears that Microsoft is planning a foray into the social networking scene with a new project called "Tulalip". The experimental project was revealed after Fusible.com spotted a teaser on socl.com, a domain owned by Microsoft.
AFTERNOON REPORT
(4.30pm AEST)Local stocks tracked sideways today, with losses in the energy and consumer discretionary sectors holding the overall market back. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 2.8pts to 4539 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) eased by 1.5pts to 4472.Merger and acquisition activity was the order of the day. Before market open, two takeover bids were announced - one in the energy sector and another in the materials sector.
Across Asia, regional markets have started the week in a mixed fashion despite the positive leads from the US on Friday. Traders continue to be very cautious ahead of what's likely to be another volatile week as debt problems in the US and Europe continues to hang over the market. The Hang Seng is 0.2% firmer for the session while the Shanghai Composite is 0.1% lower. The Nikkei 225 is closed for a holiday.
Australia's Labour Party has felt the pangs of public dismay as its popularity plunged to its lowest, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen.
Australia's New South Wales and Queensland could make a comeback in the second half if benchmark rates remain at their current levels, the June report of CommSec State of States said on Monday.
MIDDAY REPORT
(12.35pm AEST)The local share market has defied Wall Street's positive Friday finish and started the trading week slightly lower. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 8.6pts or 0.2pct to 4534.1.Energy players are under the most pressure, despite a rise in the crude oil price. Oil is hovering around US$97.57 a barrel, thanks to a firmer US dollar and generally favourable stress tests results on European banks.
China's effort to have a grip on steel-making companies to fulfill its needs continue as the Sichuan Hanlong Group made a bid for Australia-listed firm Sundance Resources for A$1.4 billion ($1.5 billion).
MORNING REPORT
(7am AEST)US industrial production rose by 0.2pct in June, in line with forecasts. Consumer prices (CPI) fell by 0.2pct in June, weaker than the -0.1pct consensus forecast. But excluding food and energy (core prices) the CPI rose by 0.3pct, slightly ahead of market forecasts. And consumer sentiment slumped from 71.5 to a 2-year low of 63.8 in July.
A laptop that shows 3D without the glasses, an Intel-conceived notebook that works like a tablet, some laptops that boots and opens the Chrome browser in seven seconds, a notebook combined with a tablet, and laptops that roars on the Mac Lion are among the offerings lined up by top tier personal computer makers for the second half of the year.
Sony Corp. is releasing this fall two portable non-slab styled tablets, code-named "S1" and "S2" for now. The tablets depart from the usual square, flat slab-style of the present tablets that have failed to put a dent to Apple's dominance in the market.
The combination of a high-taxing Government, falling consumer confidence, internet competition and lack of interest from wealthy shoppers has created what David Jones' chief executive, Paul Zahra called the retail perfect storm and resulted in a 20 percent loss for the high-end store.
AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Debt concerns in the US and Europe once again rattled local investors, with the Australian share market ending the trading week in the red. Ratings agency Standard & Poor´s today warned there is a one-in-two chance it could cut the United States´ prized triple-A rating if a deal on raising the government´s debt ceiling is not agreed soon. The deadline for the agreement is August 2nd. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 18.6pts or 0.4pct to 4542.7 while the S&P/A...
It's that time of the year again when waiting for the next iPhone has fans grasping at the latest unverified news and rumors about the device. This week the latest news about the iPhone 5 comes courtesy of the Chinese-language site Sohu.com that reports the iPhone 5 release will be delayed because of the A5 chip overheating.
BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) will acquire US shale gas company Petrohawk for US$38.75 per share through an all-cash tender offer for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Petrohawk, representing a total equity value of approximately US$12.1 billion and a total enterprise value of approximately US$15.1 billion, including the assumption of net debt.
Despite prevalent rumors it looks like Apple's newest OS, the Mac Lion will not be roaring at users this week but instead will be out next week with the new Mac Book Airs and Mac Minis.
Change and changing mindsets, no matter at what stage are loathed at, but at times circumstances just points to the inevitable. This is how the staunch supporters of the carbon tax in Australia perceive their advocacy in the days to come.
MIDDAY REPORT
(12pm AEST)Australian stocks have started the last trading day of the week in the red, on continued investor concern about US and European economic woes. Ratings agency Standard & Poor´s has this morning warned there is a one-in-two chance it could cut the United States´ prized triple-A rating if a deal on raising the government´s debt ceiling is not agreed soon. The deadline for the agreement is August 2nd. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 15.2...
