Sharon Olalia

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) today announced a recommended and unconditional on-market cash offer for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Impress Energy Ltd (ASX: ITC) that it does not own.

The Australian share market held onto its early gains sparked by positive offshore leads to post its first weekly gain in three weeks

Local stocks ended the last trading day of the week in the black, however came off earlier highs due to falls on the Chinese share market and a predicted lower start for Wall Street.

Global miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said today it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chinalco to establish a landmark exploration joint venture in China.

The Australian Bankers' Association today lodged its submission to the Senate Economics Committee which is inquiring into competition in banking.

Australian contractor John Holland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI), today announced it has been selected as the preferred proponent for the management of the Country Regional Network (CRN) by the NSW Government's Country Rail Infrastructure Authority.

Australian authorities are reminding consumers that online safety should never take a holiday while Internet shopping during the festive season. The warning comes as shopping online, especially for products from the US, has never been more attractive in the lead up to Christmas while consumers seek out bargains due to the strong Australian dollar.

International miner Equinox Minerals Ltd (TSX and ASX: EQN) said today it intends to declare its recommended takeover offer for Citadel Resource Group Ltd free of all defeating conditions if Equinox receives an interest in Citadel shares of more than 50 per cent on or before 5pm Western Australia Standard Time on December 16, 2010.

Small and family enterprises are at risk of being left behind as the 'fifth pillar' debate focuses too narrowly on home owners and credit unions, according to Australia's leading tax and property accountants.

The Australian Dollar has opened almost one US cent higher this morning as global sentiment turned positive overnight.

More than half of Australian businesses believe the national broadband network (NBN) will improve the way they do business, according to new research commissioned by Macquarie Telecom (ASX: MAQ).

Australian farm chemicals maker Nufarm Ltd said on Thursday it sees its first-half operating results to return to the black this year, with first-quarter earnings well ahead of the previous corresponding half.

Retailers would have to double, if not triple, their efforts to get customers through the doors and confident to shop before any Christmas cheer returns to the sector, the industry body said today.

Australian retail trade at current prices decreased by 1.1 per cent in October, seasonally adjusted, following a revised rise of 0.1 per cent the previous month, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Thiess, an Australian mining contractor wholly owned by Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI), announced today it has won a landmark $5.5 billion mine development and coal mining contract in India.

ESCO Corporation, a global provider of engineered consumable products, announced today the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Austcast Pty Ltd in Brisbane, Australia, and its subsidiary Newlcast in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Australian Dollar is higher this morning and trading at USD 0.9685 on a more bullish tone as strong data drove traders towards riskier assets.

U.S. stocks soared into the new month, rising more than 2% as investors looked for good news from Europe and found solace from the latest domestic economic numbers.

The Australian dollar was one of the most active currencies during the Asian session yesterday as it dealt with disappointing local data in contrast to favourable developments offshore.

The US ADP employment report showed that private sector payrolls expanded by 93,000 in November, the biggest rise since November 2007 and above expectations for a gain of 69,000.

The Australian share market closed flat after weaker than anticipated September quarter growth figures and a negative US lead.

Australian stocks tracked sideways today, but the flat finish was a fairly impressive outcome given weaker than expected economic growth figures and a downbeat offshore lead.

Global miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) on Wednesday gave the green light to a further US$1.2 billion investment in its drive to lift annual iron ore production capacity in Western Australia's Pilbara region to 283 million tonnes per annum (Mt/a).

Workers under agency contractors in Australia receive significantly poorer pay and employment conditions than those under direct-hire arrangements, according to a new study.

Pressures over utility bills and other living costs outweighed concern about interest rates, despite widespread expectations of rate hikes throughout 2011, a new survey shows.

MLC, the wealth management division of the National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB), today announced the purchase of the remaining equity in financial advice business, Meritum Financial Group.

Local stocks have fallen into the red at lunchtime in the East, following disappointing economic growth numbers.

Australia's GDP rose 0.2 per cent in the third quarter and 2.7 per cent from the year-earlier period, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today.

Bankers today cautioned Australian customers about a recurring telephone survey scam which is using an organisation's name in an attempt to defraud bank customers.