BUSINESS

According to Bloomberg, last week was the worst Thanksgiving week for US markets since 1932, when the Depression deepening after a string of bank collapses sent economies around the world plunging into a deep freeze.

So is this the "Big Bazooka" than many have said that Europe needs to convince sceptical markets that the eurozone crisis can be controlled and conquered?

By Greg PeelCommonwealth Bank economists have trimmed their 2012 global GDP growth forecast by 0.4 percentage points to 3.

Going green has been a popular initiative for some time, but the commercial sector has been slow to pick up the trend. Only now are commercial buildings beginning to go green in a variety of ways, and are doing so for both financial and environmental benefits.

NAB Broker will pay 65 basis points up-front to all brokers from 1 January 2012, as part of a wholesale change to its broker channel segmentation strategy.

NAB's major bank competitors have all reacted to NAB Broker's commission restructure by saying they plan no immediate changes to their own broker remuneration structures.

The expansion and diversification of its operations had led to record revenue growth for Australian environmental services company, CO2 Group Limited (ASX: COZ). On Monday, CO2 reported revenues of $35 million for financial year 2011 and full year net profit after tax of $1.5 million.

Doubt is being cast over the fairness in choosing the new seven wonders of the world as the organiser's costly requirements to win the slots meant that only natural places in countries that can afford the expenses are more likely to win the highly commercialized global contest.

By Greg PeelDue to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the US, industry consultant TradeTech did not publish its usual weekly update on uranium spot market activity other than to note a US50c drop in the consultant's spot price indicator to US$52.

Large Australian mining companies warned of the impact of worsening European debt crisis on their financial operations, particularly availability of credit.

U.S. stocks rose as euro-zone leaders negotiated a new pact to stem Europe's sovereign-debt crisis and a strong start to the holiday shopping season helped boost the retail sector.

US new home sales rose by 1.3pct in October - marking the fastest pace of growth in five months. The supply of new homes on the market eased modestly from 6.4 to 6.3 months supply. The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index rose from 2.3 to 3.2 in November.

- Citi initiates on Oroton With Neutral rating- Stockbroker sees stock as fair value at present- Asia offers upside potential but some time away- Only non-Buy recommendation in FNArena databaseBy Chris ShawPrior to today, luxury goods retailer OrotonGroup ((ORL)) was rated as a Buy by all four broke...

Despite union opposition, Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the national carrier still plans to push through setting up a hub in southeast Asia and to fast track plans to enter into closer alliances with other airlines.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 291 points or 2.6% while the S&P added 2.9% to 1192 and the Nasdaq jumped 3.5%.

Mindoro Resources Ltd (TSX VENTURE: MIO) (ASX: MDO) (FRANKFURT:WKN 906167) announced that it has received commitments for C$1.2 million in Australia under its Private Placement which was announced on 22 November 2011. Trading of the Company's CDIs on the ASX will re-commence today. The Lead Manager of the Australian component of the Private Placement is DJ Carmichael Pty Ltd based in Perth.

Owning an Android smartphone provides advantage to its owners because of the advanced features on the device such as applications to view all of email accounts in one page or social networking sites.

The Australian Retailers Association warned members Monday to brace for weak Christmas sales based on the performance of the retail sector for the last 18 months.

In reading the biography of "Steve Jobs" written by Walter Isaacson one gets to grasp the man is no god, he was quite human in all aspects that some readers would actually be disappointed of the truths revealed.

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) launched its high-frequency trading platform, ASX Purematch, in a bid to boost its competition with the Chi-X Australia, which has gained over 2 per cent market share in less than one month of trading.

The international market for commodity products could be softening thanks to financial crises in Europe and the United States.

The cost-cutting measures initiated by Australians are affecting the bottomline of manufacturers. One of the food producers, Campbell Soup, admitted being hit by the weak consumer environment in Australia.

Floods triggered by heavy rains have isolated two towns in northern New South Wales and swept away a boy leading to his death.

The mining consultant of Surbiton Associated doubts the Greens' estimate of the Australian gold industry in relation to how much the mining tax would generate if it would to apply to the gold industry.

- Woodside guidance disappoints on production, capex- Stockbrokers lower forecasts, price targets- Confidence in management shaken says BA-ML- Buy ratings still dominateBy Chris ShawWoodside Petroleum ((WPL)) held its annual investor update last Friday and the news with respect to production guidanc...

Rio Tinto and Chinalco joint venture (JV) for exploration in China - Chinalco Rio Tinto Exploration Co. Ltd. (CRTX) - has been officially registered as a business in China.

Black Friday has for so long such a uniquely after Thanksgiving event and is more widely known as the principal earning day in retail-sales.

The Chinese authorities have succeeded in making good on their promise to lower property prices, but this bid to make housing affordable for the greater half of the Chinese population mightprove particularly costly for the Chinese economy as a whole.

Low-doc lenders need to provide brokers with better education, Pepper Home Loans has said.