POLITICS & POLICY

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/25/2012

Yesterday the Australian share market kicked off the session a little higher for the third time this week, only to start losing ground following some disappointing economic data out from China. The latest HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI came in at 48.7 down from 49.3 points the month before. By the close of trade the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 12 points to 4,106 points.

Prostitute Linked with Craig Thomson Worked as a Horse Strapper in NSW

The sex trade worker who claimed to have embattled MP Craig Thomson as her client is real, not an imaginary person created to embarrass the legislator. The Daily Telegraph provided more details of the former prostitute whose tell-all interview with Channel 9's Current Affairs may be the final nail to Mr Thomson's crumbling political career.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 05/25/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: With worries a Greek exit would deepen the euro zone debt crisis and risk aversion continuing to mount this week, the Australian Dollar has continued track new lows.
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Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/24/2012

Yesterday the Australian share market lost ground for the first time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down 54.7 points to 4,118 point. Last night Key European index's lost 2-3% after discussions at the European Leaders summit in Brussels made no real headway to resolving the current Eurozone, especially Greek, problems. US markets and commodity prices sold off dramatically at the start of US trade but by the close the major index's had made back most of the early losses. At t...

Opposition Blames Carbon Tax for Closure of Hunter Valley Smelter

Although operators of the soon-to-be shuttered smelter plant in Hunter Valley cited the high Australian dollar and weak prices in the international market for aluminium as the short-term reasons why it would close its Kurri Kurri facility, the Opposition seized the closure of the plant to blame again the carbon tax for the economic woes of companies in Australia.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 05/24/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has opened this morning around USD.9760, after trading down to a low of USD0.9690 overnight as European equities followed Asia's lead falling around 2.5%.

Global Markets Overview - 05/24/2012

U.S. stocks reversed steep losses to finish the day roughly flat, though European stocks and the euro tumbled to 2012 lows amid growing chatter about a potential Greek exit from the euro zone

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/23/2012

The Australian sharemarket lost ground for the first time this week, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down 1.3 pct or 54.7 pts to 4118.8. Last night, U.S markets finished flat while European shares managed to gain for the second consecutive day.

Japan Imports of LNG in April Up 14.9%, Oil 12.9%

With no more nuclear reactors to help augment its energy requirements, Japan's imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as crude oil have soared by as much as 14.9 per cent and 12.9 per cent, respectively, in April, data from the country's Ministry of Finance said.

MPs Won’t Debate Yet on Censure Motion for Craig Thomson

The Liberals withdrew on Wednesday a motion to suspend embattled crossbencher MP Craig Thomson from the Australian Parliament. Christopher Payne, the manager of Opposition business, initially sought the suspension of Mr Thomson for 14 days and a possible longer suspension following Mr Thomson's statement of Parliament on Monday.

OECD Lauds Australia's 'Happy Economy'

Despite the surveys suggesting that Aussie voters were not inclined to give the Labor-led government a fresh mandate in 2013, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has reasons to smile these days following the approval attached to her economic policy by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/23/2012

Yesterday, the Australian share market improved for the second straight day, with The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up over 49 points to 4,173 points. But in morning trade today the market fell back into the red.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 05/23/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: This morning the Australian dollar is over a US cent lower, currently trading at USD0.9790 after comments about the possibility of Greece leaving the Euro currency resulted in risk aversion trading, and in turn, a fall in the AUD.

Global Markets Overview - 05/23/2012

U.S. stocks erased gains from a day spent mostly in positive territory to close flat Tuesday, as worries resurfaced in late trading about potential European instability.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/22/2012

The Australian sharemarket improved for the second straight day, something which has not happened in around 3 weeks. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) jumped 1.2 pct or 49.1 pts to 4173.5. The market improved as the day wore on and ended close to the highs of the day.

China Eyes Investments in Infrastructure to Boost Economy, Asian Stocks Up

Companies engaged in producing raw commodities, particularly coal, iron ore and copper, may look to sunnier skies as China jumps to apply solutions to control its slowing economy. Specifically, the country is looking to the infrastructure sector to lead this economic rally, state-backed newspaper China Securities Journal reported on Tuesday.

Copper Miner Xstrata Confident China Appetite Will Recover

Amid the hype brought by China's suspension of coal and iron ore cargo shipments and its apparent controlled economic slowdown, the copper unit of Xstrata, the world's fourth-largest copper miner, remained confident the world's second-largest economy will continue to import its main product nonetheless.

Energy Watch: Australia’s First Uranium Mine Project Meets Opponent

As expected, opponents have come out to challenge what could be Australia's first ever uranium mine project.The Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) said it is opposed to the construction of the uranium mine project in Wiluna town in the northern Goldfields on the basis that Toro Energy has yet to provide a safe and reliable track record in uranium mine construction, development and maintenance.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/22/2012

The Australian share market started the week stronger and has also gained in morning trade today, Yesterday the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed 26 points higher at 4,124 points. Helping to wipe away some of the pain from the 5.6% loss last week.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 05/22/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is just north of USD 0.9900 after sentiment was boosted slightly due to supportive comments from policymakers.

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