BUSINESS

Sony hacked again, million passwords compromised

Sony Corporation, still reeling from a hacking attempt last April, has another of its websites attacked this Thursday. The group of hackers compromised SonyPictures.com and accessed the personal information of more than 1 million Sony customers.

Australia's services sector skids in May

Australia's services sector showed poor signs of improvement, according to the latest Australian Industry Group/Commonwealth Bank Australian Performance of Services Index (Australian PSI®), the seasonally adjusted index fell 1.6 points to 49.9 after a strong lift the previous month (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity).

Global Markets Overview 06/03/2011

U.S. blue-chip stocks dropped for a second straight session Thursday after another dose of soft economic data worried investors as they readied for a key jobs report.

ASX Overview: What to expect

Expect a lacklustre trading today at the Australian stock market because of negative to mixed leads derived from offshore trading overnight.
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Issues hound incoming Fortescue chairman Forrest

Incoming chairman of Fortescue Metals Andrew Forrest is being hounded by issues that the board under his leadership will just be merely a rubber stamp and will not question his decisions, according to the Australian Shareholders Association.

Qualcomm integrates next generation Microsoft

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) announced today that its upcoming award-winning SnapdragonTM family of smart mobile processors, including the MSM8960TM with integrated 3G/LTE modem, is designed to power devices running the next version of Windows.

Microsoft tempts with preview of 'Windows 8'

Software giant Microsoft Corp on Wednesday unveiled the next version of Windows, internally code-named "Windows 8," to help the partners build devices that take advantage of the new user experience at the 2011 Computex.

Group buying leader Stardeals launches in Perth

Stardeals, a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events as part of the global Groupon Inc. network, this week began offering deals for the first time in Perth.

Global Markets Overview 06/02/2011

U.S. stocks plunged Wednesday, suffering their biggest drop in almost a year, as a slew of downbeat reports prompted fears the economic recovery was running out of steam

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 06/02/2011

The Australian sharemarket is having a very tough day today after receiving a weak lead from global markets overnight. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) is down 1.7 pct or 81.9 pts to 4706.7. All sectors are currently lower, with the financials, miners and energy stocks the worst.

Australia's retail sector improves in April

The retail sector saw improvements in the month of April as its sales chalked up better numbers that signaled a better outlook for the local economy, according to the latest data issued on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Baby rodents ground Qantas flight

Australian airline Qantas (ASX: QAN) was forced to ground a plane after flight attendants discovered five rats inside medical equipment just minutes before passengers were due to board.

Market Pushes Gunns Shares Up 27%

Tasmanian timber group Forester Gunns Ltd was a market star yesterday with a surprisingly strong surge in its share price after it issued a short statement that on repeated reading was actually a statement of the group's corporate strategy.

Economy Watch: The GDP And The RBA

- GDP negative 1.2% worst since 1991- consumers still saving but wages pressure growing- business investment is back- not a lot to sway the RBABy Greg PeelI've come to appreciate that following economist forecasts of an upcoming quarterly GDP result is just like watching an auction on eBay.

Leadership: Beware the god complex

Excessive self-belief: a leader needs to be assured and act decisively. However, don't become like Caligula or Kim Jong-Il of North Korea, who believe they have superior knowledge and decision-making ability despite lack of supporting evidence. On your team, how many people will question your opinions, offer contrary views or suggest other options? More positively, do you seek out other perspectives and evidence to check your thinking?

Updates: Fortescue, Cardno, Tabcorp

It can be argued that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd's Andrew Forrest retirement yesterday boosted the value of the company by around $600 million, with some 30% of that improvement flowing to his already huge fortune.

Rio Tinto forms venture with Beijing's Chinalco

Beijing's Chinalco and Rio Tinto will explore mainland China for world-class mineral deposits under a joint venture (JV) formalised today. The JV is subject to Chinese regulatory approvals and once established will operate under the name Chinalco Rio Tinto Exploration Co. Ltd. (CRTX).

World Market Overview 06/02/2011

Australian stocks overcame a weak start to finish flat on Wednesday, as market players digested positive manufacturing data from China and better than expected domestic gross domestic product (GDP) figures.

Global Markets Overview 06/01/2011

U.S. stocks finished the day's session and May on a buoyant note, shrugging off a spate of weak economic data as investors cheered a new bailout plan for Greece.

Alibaba.com a hit in Australia

The world's leading e-commerce company Alibaba.com now has well over 550,000 Australians using it as a business source, with an average of more than 20,000 people signing up to its site each month, latest figures show.

Bradken Capital Raising Triggers Downgrades

- Bradken surprises with capital raising- Funds to be used for increased capex and possibly acquisitions- Broker earnings forecasts and price targets trimmed- Two ratings downgrades on the back of the raisingBy Chris ShawBradken ((BKN)) yesterday unveiled a $162 million capital raising and the openi...

All-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat now sells cheap

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the all-new 2012 Passat, a vehicle that brings new standards to the highly competitive midsize segment, with a starting MSRP of $19,995. The 2012 Passat offers exceptional features and premium options in three power trains and a variety of equipment levels, with equally impressive pricing.

Boeing delivers GOL's first 737 with sky interior

Boeing (NYSE: BA) added another continent operating the new Boeing Sky Interior with last week's delivery of a Next-Generation 737-800 to GOL Airlines - one of the world's leading low-cost airlines and launch customer in Latin America for Boeing's innovative interior.

Call of Duty Elite will unite, ignite online gaming

The world's most passionate online gaming community can now connect, compete and improve their Call of Duty multiplayer experience through Activision's (Nasdaq: ATVI) innovative new online service, Call of Duty Elite.

Sedgwick CMS acquires assets of Cambridge Integrated Services Group, Inc.

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Sedgwick CMS) today announced that it has acquired the assets of Cambridge Integrated Services Group, Inc. ("Cambridge") including the stock of Cambridge Galaher Settlements & Insurance Services, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Cambridge.

Xstrata still positive on metals forecast

The commodity markets will sustain its growth in the medium to the long term in spite a projected slowdown in inventories of key buyers including China, Xstrata Plc's Chief Executive Officer Mick Davis in a mining conference on Wednesday.

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