BUSINESS

Service Restrictions Sway ACCC to Endorse $2B Foxtel-Austar Merger

The competition watchdog has cleared the way for Foxtel's $2-billion proposal to fully acquire its Pay TV rival Austar but with explicit limitations that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stressed should safeguard competition in the industry.
More news

Qatar is 3rd Largest Shareholder in Xstrata

Qatar became the third-largest stockholder of mining firm Xstrata after it bought 5 percent of the company's shares at $A2.65 billion. The purchase was made by the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Australia Stock Market- Morning Report 04/10/2012

In Australia, the NAB business survey and ANZ job ads survey are released. In China, March trade data is released. In the US, data on wholesale sales is released together with weekly chain store sales data. Alcoa kicks off the earnings season, releasing results after the bell on Tuesday.

The Economy: Retailing Again Weak

No joy for retailers from the latest sales data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday which showed a rise of just 0.2% in February.

Bonds: Too Much For Now, Or Too Little?

Government bonds had a tough first quarter, recording losses, and so far the second quarter is seeing a bit more of the same as market rates edge higher on signs the US economy is doing better than expected and the eurozone crisis has eased.

Interest Rates: RBA Sits, Again, Hints At May 1 Cut

It was a close run thing at yesterday's April meeting of the RBA board, a rate cut almost happened, judging by the significant change to the wording of the key part of the post meeting statement from Governor Glenn Stevens.

Corporates: Metcash Cuts Jobs, Restructures/OneSteel’s New Name

The weak retail sales data from the ABS helps explain why Metcash, the big grocery retailer and hardware and liquor distributor and retailer announced a big restructuring yesterday of its basic grocery distribution businesses and the write down of an investment in retailing in Queensland.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 4/5/2012

The Australian share market has started the final day of the shortened trading week on a negative note, as profit takers move in ahead of the Easter break and following weakness on offshore markets overnight. US and European markets retreated following a disappointing Spanish bond auction and as investors anxiously debated what markets would look like without more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve. In early trade on the local market, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 34.5pts or 0.8pct to...

Samsung Announces Delay for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Line

Korean-based firm Samsung announced that there will be a delay regarding the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 line. The company announced that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 line will be likely to be available by the end of April, 2012.

Australian Exports Down 2% in February

Australia's exports declined 2 per cent in February which contributed to a trade deficit of $480 million. It is the second largest trade deficit for the country since early 2010.

Instagram Now Available in Android

Instagram, the popular photo-sharing app is now available for Android users. It was first exclusively offered to iPhone users for the past 18 months but it has now expanded to Android-based smartphones.

James Murdoch Relinquishes BSkyB Chairmanship

Apparently taking too much heat from the scandals hounding his family's media empire, James Murdoch announced on Tuesday his resignation as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).

Pages