COMPANIES

Sydney-based AMP has seen a slight improvement as released its cash flows for the March quarter with a 12 per cent increase.

An international ratings agency forecasts that federal government's move for a super profit tax in the mining industry will not affect miners such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Australian car maker Holden has reported on Tuesday that total sales for its Cruze compact car peaked to 2,514 units in April, the company’s best monthly turnover so far since the new model was introduced last year and as the company aspires to eventually locally-assemble the increasingly popular model by next year.

Lihir Gold's executive chief began its move in selling its merger proposals to shareholders on its joint venture Newcrest Mining as it will provide them with many benefits.

Shopping centre giant Westfield Group has reconfirmed its 2010 guidance on Tuesday and revealed of new development projects in Australia and the US that could reach $1 billion even as slowed down sales and lacklustre growths were seen on the company’s local and worldwide operation.

An owner of Melbourne Storm acknowledges that the salary cap breaches by the NRL (National Rugby League) club was "embarrassing" for the company.

Shopping center Westfield will enter into an upgrade by developing a $1 billion on its global properties. The upgrade will involve US centers mirroring Australian centers once the retail issues are solved and improved in the US.

Critics are accusing the Northern Territory government of using taxpayers’ money to keep the Power and Water Corporation afloat as budget papers showed that the government has agreed to series of debt equity swaps with the corporation amidst the major upgrades that the company is currently undertaking.

Mining company Rio Tinto expressed its worries on the Federal Government's move for a new resource tax stating that it would make the mineral industry as the highest taxed in the world.

In the aftermath of the federal government's proposal for a mining tax on super profits released on Sunday, US miner Peabody Energy will review the impact of the new tax as it costs up to $US 3.8 billion or $A4.1 billion offer for Macarthur Coal

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) is upbeat that its stellar performance since the company’s formation in June 2009 will be sustained down the line in 2010, as the country’s third largest telco announced on Tuesday that it has started working on long-term branding and network strategies.

Shopping center Westfield Group will soon commence its $1 billion development project this year after its transformation in the global market.

Cape Lambert Resources from West Australia has announced that its exploration activities in the Pilbara region has been cancelled following the federal government’s planned imposition of a 40 percent super profit tax on mining industry.

The Federal Court ordered Qantas Airlines on Tuesday to pay commission years to travel agents after it was found out that fuel surcharge to passengers is part of the fare and not a tax.

United Airlines and Continental Airlines have finalised a $US3 billion dollar deal that will transform the two carriers into the biggest airline in the aviation industry as both companies are looking to generate fresh revenues of up to $US1.2 billion or $A1.3 billion come 2013.

Australian-based Newcrest Mining and rival Lihir Gold finally agreed on a partnership which values Lihir at $9.5 billion.

DSM Biologics, a unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, a global provider of manufacturing technology and services to the biopharmaceutical industry, announced finalizing preliminary agreement with the Queensland State Government and the Commonwealth of Australia to design, build and operate the first Australia-based mammalian biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility to be located in Brisbane.

Orica Limited on Monday announced it will split with DuluxGroup businesses after a 75 per cent decrease on its first half net profit.

Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue has announced Monday that they are seeking regulatory approval for a trans-Tasman alliance that will bring the two airlines to share route services but still short of any merger possibility.

After its first taste of rejection by the ACCC, the bank will have to seek another approval on its deal that focuses on the retail investment platforms used frequently by the wealth management industry, and its MLC businesses.

Bad luck has struck upon Rio Tinto as it suffered two big losses during the weekend.

Airport operator MAp Airports Ltd, Sydney Airport’s majority owner, has reported on Friday that 31 percent spikes on its first quarter earnings with $100.71 million amassed in three months leading to end of March, as compared to posted income the same period last year.

Same-store food and liquor sales of Woolworths increased to 2.0 per cent during the third quarter, propelling the retailer to trim down its sales forecast for this year.

Atlas Iron announced on Friday that the government approved its proposed Wodgina iron ore project in Western Australia.

Coffey International Ltd has announced Friday that it is projecting lower revenues in 2009-2010 following declines in monthly incomes since January as delays, slow-downs and cancellations marred the Sydney-based company’s pipeline of projects.

It will be business as usual if Melbourne Storm can fill up all the lost sponsorship within weeks.

Darwin lost its chance of hosting a $5 billion gas plant and expanding its Sunrise fields, following announcement by Woodside Petroleum Ltd that its joint venture partnership with ConocoPhillips, Shell and Osaka Gas, have opted to build instead a floating platform in the Timor Sea.

Ford Australia has announced plans to release a series of commemorative models to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Falcon.

Spiral Foods Pty Ltd., which manufactures Bonsoy soy milk, confirmed on Wednesday that the controversial soy product, which was banned from store shelves last December 24 after it was linked to a series of thyroid problems, will be sold again the market after undergoing reformulation.