COMPANIES

The Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) is warning of a telephone survey scam which is using the ABA's name in an attempt to de-fraud bank customers.

The Victorian Government remains silent on the route of the multi-billion dollar Regional Rail Link project. Affected residents near the Footscray Railway Station, therefore, could not decide yet on whether they want their land and other properties sold to the government.

Australian pallet supplier Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) today reported sales revenue of US$4,146.8 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2010, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous equivalent period.

Online car marketing apparently picked up more traffic this year as Carsales.com Ltd (ASX: CRZ) reported on Thursday of soaring net profit for the 2009/10, gaining by as much as 41 percent to $43.2 million as of June 30.

Following its Tuesday announcement of a $US38.56 billion or $A42.89 billion takeover bid for Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, international rating agency Standard & Poor’s listed on Thursday BHP Billiton Ltd’s long term issuer credit ratings in CreditWatch.

The Carlton group takes another piss out of beer advertising in its latest Carlton Draught advertisement. The new ad is expected to be a hit and a psychological stimulus for consumers to keep Carlton as Australia's top-selling beer.

Sixteen to 49 year old men will have an exclusive channel for their age group. The new digital free-to-air channel 7mate's first broadcast on September 25 will be a live coverage of the AFL grand finals.

Pizza lovers in Australia will soon have a healthy alternative with Pizza Hut's latest less salt line of pizza products. Customers will enjoy 45 percent less sodium starting next year.

Australian healthcare service provider Healthscope Ltd (ASX:HSP) has announced a 37 per cent rise in annual profit and projects solid demand and growth in the year ahead.

Dairy farmers in Queensland and New South Wales will continue collective bargaining with milk company Parmalat. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the move will protect small farmers from being pushed over by multinational companies.

Close to 1,200 job vacancies are expected when mining company Billiton Mitzubishi Alliance (BMA) begins its $4 billion coal project. The jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase.

The Australian currency opened weaker Thursday morning after ratings agency Moody's (NYSE:MCO) announced it would review the credit rating of global miner BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP).

The Australian stock market is likely to open flat today following mixed to positive leads from offshore trading overnight.

Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL) is trying to reach gas supply agreements with BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP), ExxonMobil and US explorer Hess over the next months in support of a massive expansion of its $13 billion Pluto liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia, analysts say.

Small businesses maintain high hopes that retail activity will go back to normal after the national elections. A number of business operators noted trickling customers as August 21 approaches.

Australian mining leader BHP Billiton may just make a second bid for the Potash Corporation of Canada. The world's largest fertilizer producer earlier considered the BHP's unsolicited bid of $38 billion to be "grossly inadequate."

Australian department store David Jones (ASX: DJS) has reported a moderate increase in like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter and reaffirmed earnings guidance for fiscal 2010 and 2011.

Sydney-based Boral (ASX:BLD) is selling Boral Formwork and Scaffolding to Anchorage Capital Pty Ltd, for a consideration of A$35 million, in line with its strategy to concentrate on growing core assets.

As construction activities start picking up in the second half of 2010, steel manufacturer OneSteel Ltd (ASX: OST) said on Tuesday that demand growth for the product could be expected for the rest of the year as the company reported that it gained 12 percent full-year profit for 2009/10.

Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc announced overnight it has rejected an unsolicited takeover bid from Australian diversified natural resources company BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) worth about $US38.49 billion ($42.85 billion).

Australia-based medical centre operator and pathology provider Primary Health Care (ASX:PRY) has announced a 21.7 per cent increase in net profit but expects earnings in the current year to be at the lower end of earlier guidance.

Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL) reported another gas find in Western Australia's Carnarvon Basin.

It is the second year of profit for the Adelaide Casino. The recently released figures signal continued employment and government earnings.

UGL Ltd (ASX:UGL) an Australian diversified services company operating in maintenance, facilities management, engineering and construction, announced today its annual profit increased 1 percent, thanks to higher earnings from its infrastructure and resources units.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) said it is reviewing the finances of Korea Exchange Bank, the lender put up for sale by Lone Star funds.

PepsiCo stands to benefit from "significant" investment in functional and healthy products, amid tightening restrictions on the marketing of 'junk foods' to children, the head of health policy at the company said yesterday.Derek Yach, senior vice president of global health policy for PepsiCo, said t...

Facebook, the social networking Web site, has reportedly purchased startup Chai Labs for around $10 million.

In line with its pursuit of further growth and expansions, telecom company iiNet Ltd (ASX: IIN) announced on Monday that it gained a 2010 full year net profit of 35 percent to $34.55 million, coming from the $25.63 million garnered in the previous corresponding year.

Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL) declared it has found more gas offshore Western Australia. The latest gas discovery could put Pluto's fast expansion plans back on track.