Lawrence Villamar

Retails Sales in Australia posted their weakest annual growth in 27 years with Annual Sales growing by a mere 2.4 percent in a report released by the ABS yesterday.

Experts at the University of Southern Queensland will employ the online virtual world Second Life in a bid to disseminate information on future climate changes they managed to predict to regional farmers through out the world.

The medicines industry in Australia proved to be the nation's most valuable hi-tech exporter last year, raking in $3.744 billion in 2011.

Australians could be exposed to an increased risk from toxic contamination due to flooding and other effects of climate change.

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.

The Australian Dollar traded in cautious ranges throughout its onshore session on Friday, as markets remained on tenterhooks ahead of key unemployment data from the world's largest economy.

In part two of our feature on Goldman Sachs, we look at Goldman's networks of power in Europe and consider the ways in which Goldman is using the same dangerous financial products, which caused the 2007 crisis, to bet against Europe's floundering economies whilst governing, or advising those countries. Finally, we ask what can be done to reduce Goldman's power.

Ahead: In Australia, the Performance of Services index is released. In the US, non-farm payrolls and factory orders are released.

The Australian Dollar gained 20-30 points during local trade yesterday after it was announced our trade surplus increased to 1.71 billion dollars from a previous 1.38 billion.

The Conference Board consumer confidence reading dipped unexpectedly in January, slipping from 64.8 to 61.1. Consensus expectation had been for a further gain up to 68.0.

The Australian Dollar rallied off opening levels yesterday as Australian business confidence rose to its highest level in seven months, a survey by National Australia Bank showed.

The Dow was in line for a fourth straight decline after a weaker than expected reading on consumer confidence erased early gains prompted by agreements designed to address Europe's sovereign-debt issues.

Ahead: In Australia, private sector credit, RP data house price index and the NAB business survey are released. In the US, the S&P CaseShiller home price index is released.

After opening the week near 1.0640, the Australian Dollar fell by 0.6% during Asian trade as speculation surrounding Chinese monetary policy weakened the local unit.

A leading scientist from The University of Western Australia says human kind is set to face dire consequences as the first signs of climate change manifest in the Arctic.

Goldman Sachs is the bank everyone loves to hate. In the first of our two-part investigation into the bank, we ask why they emerged as the biggest winners in the financial crisis.

A significant chunk of the Aussie workforce plans to go back to school this year.

Ahead: In Australia, a raft of resource companies hand down quarterly activity reports. In the US, personal income and spending figures are released. Italy holds an 8 billion euros bond auction.

Interest rate differentials remained supportive of the Australian Dollar on Friday as investors continued to snap up the Australian Dollar in lieu of the Greenback, which the Fed has said will offer benchmark low interest rates through to 2014

US durables orders rose by larger than expected 3pct in December. Durables orders excluding defence and aircraft orders - a close proxy for business spending - rose by 2.9pct.

With most of the country focused on lighting the BBQ and chilling the beer, the Aussie dollar had a relaxing Australia Day, for its onshore session at least

A tropical cyclone may hit Western Australia later today if a tropical low spotted this morning develops as it moves west at 11 kilometers per hour.

The Australian Dollar fell from a 12-week high yesterday with investors selling the Nation’s currency consistently for the majority of the overnight session.

Ahead: In Australia, the Consumer Price Index is released. In the US, the Federal Reserve hands down its monetary policy decision.

The Australian Dollar enjoyed some considerable upside movement yesterday, soaring above $US1.05 to a 12 week high against its US Counterpart.

Ahead: In Australia, Newcrest and Oil Search release production figures and GUD Holdings releases its half yearly result. In the US, the Federal Reserve meets and the Richmond Fed index is scheduled.

US existing home sales rose by 5.0pct to a 4.61 million annual rate in December, close to forecasts centred on a result near 4.65 million. The weekly Economic Cycle Research Institute index rose from 121.2 to 123.4.

Following a relatively flat start to the day in which local equity markets gained around half a percent, the Australian Dollar weakened slightly against its US Counterpart reaching a later afternoon low of 1.0382.

The Australian Dollar has opened just under the 1.0500 level as financial markets await a final resolution with a group of private creditors who hold some of the Greek sovereign debt.