MARKETS

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar is largely unchanged this morning as the market awaits developments out of Greece.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 5 points while the S&P rose 0.2% to 1349 and the Nasdaq gained 0.4%.We recall that while the private sector holders of Greek sovereign debt ? mostly European banks ? have agreed to take a haircut on their holdings via a debt restructure in which they will receive longer...

US mortgage applications rose in the past week with the mortgage market index lifting 7.5pct, underpinned by a 9.4pct increase in refinancing activity.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaRisk assets have experienced a once-in-a-decade jumpstart into the new calendar year and increased liquidity (thank you ECB) plus improving economic data have been held responsible, finally providing the trigger to see a rapid return of risk appetite.

Mining and rail equipment manufacturer Bradken is on track to meet earlier guidance for a 40% lift in full year profit after a 65% jump in first half earnings.

As the market awaits ANZ's promised rate decision this Friday, NAB has vowed to beat its fellow majors on rates for the remainder of 2012, regardless of moves by the RBA.

Westpac has dismissed a Fairfax report insinuating that the bank was holding out on borrowers following last year’s rate cuts.

The Reserve Bank rendered moot much of the discussion surrounding bank funding costs this month when it chose to hold the cash rate steady.

The Reserve bank delivered the bad news to the banking sector yesterday, no rate cut and no chance to rebuild profit margins by hanging onto all or some of the widely expected 0.25% cut.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) this week announced its seizure of over 700,000 chickens to safeguard their welfare at six broiler farms located in Northern Victoria, South West Victoria and West Gippsland.

New research about snackfoods and consumers’ snack food choices, ‘Healthy Snackers’, was released in the U.S on 2 February, 2012 by Mintel Research.

While Australian Food News yesterday reported the strong performance of Coles fresh produce division, the quarterly figures reported by parent company Wesfarmers show that Coles Express non-fuel sales declined by 1.4 percent for the quarter compared with Woolworths positive 4.9 percent increase from the previous year.

The Reserve Bank left its cash rate steady at $4.25% yesterday for the very good reason that there was no need to cut it.

- Chinese steel demand should remain solid- Need for basic housing to drive demand- US steel market recording some price gains- Steel consumption in US likely to increase in coming monthsBy Chris ShawWhile there are growing concerns of a possible bursting of the Chinese property bubble, steel indust...

US chain stores sales rose by 2.5pct in the latest week compared with a year ago according to Redbook Research. And in Germany industrial production dropped by 2.9pct in December, taking annual growth down to just 0.9pct, the lowest since late 2009.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 33 points or 0.3% while the S&P added 0.2% to 1347 and the Nasdaq rose 0.

A quick preview of the key economic events for the upcoming week!

By Greg PeelIt started late last year and it has continued into January. The bulk of "real" global spot uranium demand (utilities as opposed to traders) is currently centred in Europe where U3O8 is being sought.

FNArena has added another video to its Investors Education section on the website. In this week's video, ATW's Jerry Simmons seems to take a more cautious approach as price action in crude oil and US equities last week moved towards the upper levels of recent trading ranges.

The prospects for top executives "cleaned out" of the industry through the GFC and mortgage market consolidation do not look bright, according to a top industry recruiter.

NAB has today announced new efforts to bring Homeside closer to the major bank brand, by creating a "stronger visual link" through a new re-branding campaign.

Perth-based infrastructure services group Cardno Limited certainly picked the right day to reveal a $100 million deal in the US and a fund raising of the same size.

Listed investment company Argo Investments has joined most of its competitors in revealing the impact of the weak stockmarket on its interim result.

The Reserve Bank makes its first decision for 2012 on the level of interest rates today.

German factory orders rebounded by 1.7pct in December following a 4.9pct fall in November. Factory orders were flat over the year to December. Meanwhile the US employment trends index rose from 105.0 to 105.8 in January.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 17 points or 0.1% while the S&P was little changed at 1344 and the Nasdaq fell 0.

By Greg PeelThe last time the RBA made rate cuts at each of three consecutive meetings was in the wake of the GFC.

In Australia, retail trade, the monthly inflation gauge and data on job ads are released. NZ markets are closed for a holiday. In the US, the monthly employment trends report is released.

What do business leaders expect from their Human Resources function? We constantly hear the phrase, "strong business acumen required" for senior HR appointments but this is also increasingly the case for roles within the early HR career market. What does this mean for early HR career professionals is the main subject of this month's Instep.