BUSINESS

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/27/13

The new week has started the same way the last one finished, with sellers on the front foot. The debate about the US Federal Reserve exiting its quantitative easing program continues to dominate the bigger picture. At a local level the earnings picture is creating concerns with profit downgrades figuring prominently in recent weeks.
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Bad Days are Gathering Over China’s Manufacturing in May

Apparently, signs of the China's economic recovery are weakening as the latest flash manufacturing PMI showed that factory activity slumped significantly in May. Data released by HSBC Holdings Plc indicated that the economic growth of the world's second economy was visibly slackening in the second quarter of the year. It seems that bad days are gathering over China's manufacturing.

More Background Noise From Ben Bernanke

Yesterday we wondered whether Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, in his speech to Congress, would come out in support of his colleagues (and the banks) or whether he'd speak with one eye on his legacy. Turns out he's managed to do both!

China’s Bird Flu Outbreak Cost Industry Losses of $6.5bn

While the spread of H7N9 virus appears to have been brought under control in China, public healthcare experts say the bird flu outbreak has cost the country's poultry industry more than 40 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) in losses despite Beijing's swift actions to contain the outbreak.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/24/13

Despite a slight rise on the open, local shares are falling by 1.3 per cent, taking the losses for the week so far to more than 3.5 per cent. If markets continue in this direction for the rest of the session, we're set to have the worst week in a year.

This Tiny Mining Sector Is About to Soar

By David Fessler, Investment U Senior AnalystSomething big is about to strike the mining industry. When it does, savvy investors have a grand opportunity on their hands.

As Ford Moves Out, Holden and Toyota Remain Committed to Australia

In the midst of Ford's decision to ship out of Australia, Holden and Toyota express their intent to stay put in Australia, at least for now. Toyota is even pointing to its $330 million new engine production facility that is meant to cater locally and the whole of Asia.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/23/13

The Australian sharemarket had its worst day in two months, pushed lower by Ben Bernanke's much anticipated testimony before congress last night. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) slumped by 2 per cent, adding to yesterday's 0.27 per cent losses.

Ford to Close Plants, 1200 Australians to Lose Their Jobs

Hundreds of Ford workers in Australia were in shock as the company announced its plan to shut down operations by October 2016. As the news broke out, hundreds of workers were devastated. It did not matter whether they worked there since three decades back – people will lose their jobs in three years time.

Ford Formalizes Closure of Australian Plants: Telltale Signs Strong in 2012

The telltale signs have already been there as early as 2012. It was just a matter of when will Ford Australia finally collect its guts to formally announce the closure of its manufacturing plants in Australia. That time came on Thursday as Ford Australia finally confirmed it is closing down and letting go 1200 jobs in the process.

Losing The Loser's Game

By Tim Price"The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war.

Japan Exports Adden as Trade Deficit Widens in April

Japan's exports sadden as they increased less than expected in April while the country's trade deficit expanded significantly in the month. The Japan's economy has a long way ahead to finally revive, but it seems that the weaker yen has not started bearing fruits yet. The disappointing results for April were mainly driven by weak demand from key trading partners, including the European Union and China.

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