Sharon Olalia

The Australian currency was higher at Monday noon following reassurances by the Federal Reserve chief about the American economy.

The Australian stock market was surging ahead at Monday noon, with banks and mining stocks following a strong lead from Wall Street.

Asian stocks oscillated after speculations the mining sector will benefit from a hung parliament in Australia towered above concerns over the strength of the global economic recovery.

Retail shareholders are increasingly going online, according to the results of a survey released today by the Australasian Investor Relations Association (AIRA).

The Australian currency is moderately higher at midday, recuperating in morning trade after dropping one US cent as uncertainty remains over the federal poll outcome.

The Australian stock market swung between small gains and losses at midday as resources offset mixed results in other sectors.

The Liquidator of the failed Allco Finance Group has asked for monetary aid from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to continue an investigation into a series of ''potential offences'' resulting from alleged breaches of the Corporation Act.

Investors sent Australian telco giant Telstra (ASX: TLS) shares down more than 6 per cent to a record low as prospects of a hung parliament cast doubts about the future of its broadband plans and the wider telecommunications industry.

Uncertainty surrounding the election outcome is providing no clear future for the national broadband network or Telstra (ASX: TLS).

The Australian currency opened weaker on Monday as uncertainty remains over the outcome of the weekend's federal poll.

The Australian stock market is set to open lower today amid uncertainty in the result of the weekend's federal election.

The Australian organic industry is tipped this year to become an AUS$1 Billion industry, according to independent research report commissioned by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).

Households in dwellings two years old or less were more likely to have the energy and water efficiency elements they needed to reach government building standards, but beyond these measures they were quite similar to households in older dwellings, according to a report released Friday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Australian currency was nearly one US cent lower by noon as poor US data forced investors to seek safe-haven assets.

The Australian bourse continued losing at Friday noon, after a weak start led by losses on Wall Street overnight and disappointing profit results.

Solid exports are set to lift the national income by 10 per cent in 2010 while unemployment continues to decline, and inflation will likely become a problem over the next two years, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

ANZ Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ), one of the big four alongside Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and National Australia Bank, announced on Friday a 37 percent rise in third quarter net profit as bad debts declined.

Australian diversified natural resources company BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) has signalled it could drive a shake-up of the global pricing of potash if its $43 billion bid for Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc. succeeds.

The Australian stock market is set to go down today after receiving strongly negative leads from offshore trading overnight, with heavy falls on Wall Street, oil falling below $US75, and metals generally lower. Only gold futures rose.

The Australian currency started weaker on Friday after "awful" US reports saw investors worry a double-dip recession is impending.

Wesfarmers' (ASX:WES) disparate collection of businesses, including supermarkets, insurance, chemicals, hardware, office supplies and coal, has posted a smaller than expected rise in full-year profit.

The Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) is warning of a telephone survey scam which is using the ABA's name in an attempt to de-fraud bank customers.

Australian pallet supplier Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) today reported sales revenue of US$4,146.8 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2010, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous equivalent period.

The Australian currency was lower at midday, as investors worry the troublesome resource super profits tax (RSPT) will return on the agenda if the Greens hold the balance of power after the August 21 federal election.

The Australian stock market was flat at midday as company earnings results failed to inspire many investors and. with no market-moving data set for release

Australian healthcare service provider Healthscope Ltd (ASX:HSP) has announced a 37 per cent rise in annual profit and projects solid demand and growth in the year ahead.

The Australian currency opened weaker Thursday morning after ratings agency Moody's (NYSE:MCO) announced it would review the credit rating of global miner BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP).

The Australian stock market is likely to open flat today following mixed to positive leads from offshore trading overnight.

Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL) is trying to reach gas supply agreements with BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP), ExxonMobil and US explorer Hess over the next months in support of a massive expansion of its $13 billion Pluto liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia, analysts say.