COMPANIES

Healy: Not funding SMEs is dangerous for the economy

A contraction in lending to small and medium enterprises in favour of households is starting a dangerous trend for the Australian economy, said National Australia Banks' (ASX: NAB) head of business banking Joseph Healy.

Insurer QBE posts lower profits

Australia's biggest insurer by market value QBE Insurance Group Ltd. recorded the biggest drop in Sydney trading in five months as it reported first half profits were off target.

Chief executives pressured on earnings forecast

Australia's CEOs are squeezed to defend their earnings forecasts as the profit reporting season takes shape and optimism mounts that some top companies will post profit growth for the first time since the global financial crisis.
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Farm Pride releases powdered whole eggs

In an Australian first, Farm Pride has launched Powdered Whole Eggs onto Australian supermarket shelves.  The 150 gram packs are equivalent to a dozen eggs, and are now located in the baking aisle of all Coles stores nationally.With a long shelf life, Farm Pride's Powdered Whole Eggs can be used in...

E*Trade Posts Second Quarter Profit

E*Trade Financial the online brokerage company has returned to profitability after posting second quarter profits for the first time in three years.The company has not faired well after its business was negatively impacted by bad loans made by its banking division, which reported its seventh consecu...

Nestlé to establish new beverage innovation hub in Singapore

Nestlé has a strong and growing business in coffee mixes worldwide. This business is especially strong in the Asia Pacific region, and is expected to continue to grow over the coming years. In response to this growing demand for coffee mixes, Nestlé has created a new hub for innovation in beverage...

Korea’s LS-Nikko takes stakes in Sandfire

LS-Nikko Copper Inc, a major Korean-owned copper smelting firm, has announced it will buy 12.5 per cent shares in Sandfire Resources NL, Australian minerals exploration firm, through a share placement worth $93.9 million.

AGL Energy diverts $300m debts

AGL Energy has announced that it has successfully diverted some of its debts to the American market as a part of its scheme to make the firm’s debt maturity longer and to diversify its sources of financing.

Grange Resources set to divest two non-core assets

Iron ore mining firm Grange Resources Ltd (ASX: GRR) said on Friday that it is set to spin off two non-core assets, one of which is offshore operation, which should enable the Perth-based company to concentrate on its main business within Australia.

SA Premier encourages green energy plan

Premier Mike Rann of South Australia says the federal government’s scheme to integrate more green energy into Australia’s power grid is very good news for their state.

Sonray dissidents attempt to unfreeze accounts

Dissidents exposed to the downfall of Australian financial services firm Sonray Capital intend to raise a class action against administrator Ferrier Hodgson in an effort to claw back their accounts.

Sonic reaffirms FY2010 earnings guidance, cites US unit growths

Medical diagnostics firm Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) reaffirmed on Friday the company’s latest full-year guidance, adding that its US operations gained second half organic revenue growth of 3.6 percent while the same operation’s organic volume growth notched up by 1.4 percent.

BHP confirms relocation of finance jobs from South Australia

Giant mining firm BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP) confirmed on Friday reports that the company is set to move financial services staff from its Adelaide office to either offshore locations in Asian cities or Perth and Brisbane stations in order to achieve smoother business relations with its Asian operations.

NAB’s British mortgage miscalculations

Many of National Australia Bank's customers have been slapped with bigger monthly payments after one of the nation's major financial institutions incorrectly computed repayments for some variable and tracker-style mortgages.

David Jones picks M&C Saatchi as new advertising partner

Sydney-based David Jones Ltd (ASX: DJS) announced today that it is ending its collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi as the high-end retailer’s advertising partner for 14 years, taking in M&C Saatchi as the company’s new promotional agent for the next three years.

Axa chief defends weak results

Chief executive Andrew Penn of Australasian wealth manager Axa Asia Pacific Holdings (ASX: AXA) has put on a bold front amid his company's weak results.

Businessmen call for intake of skilled outlanders

Australia's economy will deteriorate and inflation rise if the admission of skilled migrants is not maintained at least at its current level, according to some of the nation's most prominent business figures.

Sydney Airport reports of earnings growth for 1st half of 2010

Riding on the heels of much better passenger traffic this year, Sydney Airport said on Friday that its terminal operations garnered a double-digit spike in earnings for the first half of calendar 2010, which about 12.9 percent higher from the previous corresponding period last year.

BHP downgrade amid gulf fears

Analysts have downgraded production forecasts, following global miner BHP Billiton's (ASX: BHP) fear that the Gulf of Mexico disaster will destroy the petrol growth prospects this year.

OFA Welcomes Gillard Government Support of Organic Sector

The Gillard Government will be funding $33,000 to Standards Australia to support the Australia Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products"The OFA initiated the Australia Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products to ensure credibility of organic products." Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federat...

Aussie households continue their love affair with New Zealand wines

According to the latest consumer research from Nielsen, New Zealand wines are quickly becoming a regular feature in the cellars of Australian households with continued strong volume sales growth for take-home purchases (up 38% compared to total wine market at 10%).Information sourced from Nielsen's ...

War of Words Erupts Between CBA and NAB

A war of words has erupted between two of the big four lenders, with Ralph Norris chief executive of CBA, lashing out at NAB’s claims that the lender is making super profits in mortgage lending.The banking oligopoly in Australia is normally a cozy affair, and Mr. Norris criticizing a rival is inde...

AXA upbeat on accelerating growth of HK unit

Wealth investment manager AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd (ASX: AXA) revealed on Thursday that its Hong Kong operations were experiencing accelerating growth, with regional sales soaring by more than 50 percent during the first half of the year.

Foster's internal wine target leaks

Australian beer and wine maker Foster's Group Ltd (ASX:FGL) was forced to issue a clarifying note to the market after its internal earnings target was unintentionally revealed today.

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