BUSINESS

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 4-17-13

The local stock market has closed above the 5000 mark, albeit by a modest margin, after several days of commodity induced weakness. The ASX200 rose by one per cent, although mining and energy stocks remained on the outer with investors, being the only 2 sectors to end the session in the red.

Australian Stock Market Report –Midday 4-17-13

The Australian market is edging higher by 0.8 per cent after the initial concerns relating to the Boston marathon bomb attacks have largely subsided. The mining and energy sectors are sliding modestly, while all other regions of the market are improving. The psychologically important 5000.0 is being tested (for both the ASX200 and the All Ords).
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Like Gold, Cattle Prices Are Also Plummeting

Although cattle sales of the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) rose in the first three months of 2013 to 41,186 from 29,646 compared to the same quarter in 2012, average price per head went down to $980 from $1,255.

The UK's two-tier housing market

The UK housing market remains weak. But with the UK economy on the edge of another recession, the surprise is that the housing market has not fallen more. And central London is booming.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 4-16-13

Falling commodity prices continued to be the the main theme driving markets on Tuesday. Gold remains a high profile casualty having fall by 15%in the last week. 10% of that decline has taken place in the last 24 hours, although in recent Asian trade prices of the yellow metal have consolidated.

JCB Notes high profits on demand in Africa and the Middle East

While constructing sector is not in the best shape, UK-based giant JCB Ltd informed that it noted record annuals earnings in 2012. It is not surprising at all that the company trots out its outstanding profits as the global construction sector is indeed going through tough times. The JCB's results were mainly driven by increased demand in regions such as Africa and the Middle East.

Australian Stock Market Report –Midday 4-16-13

Local stocks are once again under selling pressure following yet another slump in the price of gold, and explosions at the Boston Marathon which are being treated as a criminal investigation. US stocks sold off sharply in the final hour of trade following the explosions, with the Dow Jones Index falling 60pts in a matter of minutes.

China Saddens with its GDP Growth of 7.7%

The latest data on the China's economy saddened analysts as figures showed that GDP growth in the first quarter of the year was lower than initially anticipated. Economists ask themselves whether that means that global expansion is slowing down.

The Overnight Report: 4/15

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 265 points, or 1.8%, while the S&P lost 2.3% to 1552 and the Nasdaq dropped 2.

Hi Ho Silver Lining

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super Report[Note: This report was written on Monday, ahead of the fall on Wall Street overnight and the news from Boston.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 4-15-13

The price of gold continued to slide over the weekend as fund managers exited their positions on speculation it has run too hard, too fast. Influential American investor George Soros didn't help matters, telling the South China Morning Post that gold is no longer a safe haven for investors. Gold futures are holding at US$1501.40 an ounce, and have fallen by over 5 per cent over the course of the week.

Pope Francis’ Eight-Man Advisory Panel Equals the Fall of Rome?

Pope Francis has made his yet most radical move in his one-month tenure as the 266th supreme spiritual pontiff when he created over the weekend an eight-man advisory panel to check and review the efficiency and perhaps debate the existence of the Roman Curia.

Marks & Spencer Surprises with Record Pace of Quarterly Sales in 2 Years

Surprisingly, Marks & Spencer Group Plc released its data on the quarter ended March showing that the company enjoyed the best quarterly sales in two years. However, the UK-based retailer witnessed a discouraging drop in clothing which was, however, offset by an outstanding jump in food sales.

China’s Credit Boom Krakatoa

Ahh, St Kilda, we're going to miss you. From Monday, Daily Reckoning headquarters moves to salubrious Middle Park. It's a slight shift from the grunge and grime of Fitzroy Street.

Lines at T-Mobile for $99 iPhone 5

T-Mobile's marketing strategy to attract Americans to buy the iPhone 5 is paying off. Reports said lines have started to form at the fourth largest U.S. carrier when it offered consumers the best-selling Apple smartphone over the weekend for $99.

IDC Releases PC’s Death-Note for Q1

International Data Corporation (IDC) issued the findings of its report, showing a staggering 13.9 percent drop in sales in Personal Computer (PCs) in the three-months period ended March on a year-on-year basis.

Where to Buy PCs, Laptops at Bargain Prices

While the growing attractiveness of tablets and phablets to consumers is anathema to manufacturers and retailers caught with a large inventory of laptops and desktops, it spells good news for potential buyers due to the significant cut in retail prices of these devices.

Tough Times for Toyota as it has to Recall 1.7m Globally

It seems that Toyota Motor Corp. is going through tough times as it will have to recall as many as 1.73 million vehicles globally as it has faced safety issues revolving around airbags. Other Japan's carmakers, including Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp., have announced the same process as their models have also encountered similar problems. But that is not the last of problems for Toyota Motor Corp. as the carmaker is now at war against Ford Motor Co. over the title of ...

Infosys Disappoints with its Forecast

Infosys Ltd sadly let down markets and analysts with its forecast for the new fiscal year began April. Concurrently, the India's No. 2 services exporter released its data on the fourth quarter showing that its quarterly profit climbed about 3.4 percent. The news was not welcomed by markets as stock prices drastically dropped after the statement.

BRC Sales Report on UK Retail Sales Gives New Hope

News from the British Retail Consortium bodes well for UK retail and designer merchandisers. Struggling in the past few months, the news of 3.7 percent growth in March is certainly promising. The same-store sales climbed by roughly 1.9 percent on a year-on-year basis, but still the figure is encouraging.

Japan’s Newfound ‘Monetary-Easing’ Policy

The Bank of Japan's pledge to invest in long-term bonds in the next two years is seen by many as a 'new phase of monetary easing.' This policy is in continuation of the Japanese Prime Minister's aim to reverse nearly 15 years of deflation.

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