BUSINESS

The AMP's chief economist, Dr Shane Oliver wonders if we are back in 2010.

Vodafone announced today their new prepaid recharge plan; the Vodafone All-Time prepaid which brings unlimited calling and messaging to its prepaid customers. The prepaid option also allows access to bonus bank- a loyalty program that gives users rewards for every recharge.

The introduction of the legislation to create Infrastructure NSW, a new body to help get infrastructure going again in the state, makes a strong signal the NSW is back in business.

Australian consumers in regional areas will soon be able to enjoy access to new digital subscription channels, as long as regulators approve a new proposal to merge FOXTEL, Australia's largest pay-TV operator, with Austar United Communications Ltd. (AUN)

Perpetual, the wealth management company, has cut jobs and considered outsourcing platform administration services. This is part of a new strategy to revitalize performance disclosed by Chief Executive Chris Ryan who succeeded David Deverall on February 14 as CEO.

The property industry is calling on Queensland’s 73 local governments to support jobs in their communities by adopting infrastructure charges well below the capped rates set by the State Government.

Facebook and Spotify are joining in a collaborative effort to provide a streaming music service to Facebook users. Business magazine Forbes reported that in the next two weeks, Facebook users will be able to see a Spotify icon on their news feed. Clicking on the icon will allow the service to install on the user's computer.

Two key pieces of data released earlier today suggests that the U.S. economy’s recovery is well off the pace that the Federal Reserve would like to see.

Heinz has launched a new campaign for its iconic baked beans, asking Australians what "Beanz Meanz" to them.

The Australian stock market posted gains of 1.6 per cent to end a four-day losing streak, led higher by gold, energy and materials after a bounce on commodity markets overnight.

The US economy grew at an unrevised 1.8pct annualised pace in the March quarter. Economists had expected a lift in the growth rate to 2.2pct. And new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 10,000 to 424,000 in the latest week, above forecasts centred on 404,000.

The Australian sharemarket is stronger for the first time this week, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 0.9 pct or 41.1 pts to 4625.8.

Glencore International Plc's debut in Hong Kong has been graded the world's biggest initial public offering this year that could lure other investors from its competitors with its size and market value, analysts said.

Australia leads other Asian Pacific countries in adopting cloud computing. In a recent report from Frost and Sullivan titled State of Cloud Computing in Australia: 2011, 43% of enterprises are now using cloud computing in some form and 41% of IT decision makers agreed that cloud computing will continue to be a top priority.

By Greg PeelAustralia's March quarter capital expenditure growth came in stronger than expected at 3.4%, above a consensus estimate of 2.

Delayed payments on Australian mortgage had increased in the first quarter at its highest. It is now considered a big blow to the country’s thriving property market.

Investment in Australia’s advanced minerals and energy projects hit a record $173.5 billion in April 2011, 31 per cent higher than in October 2010, according to new data released today.

The first Virgin Australia, formerly Virgin Blue, (ASX: VBA) A330 service from Sydney to Perth took to the skies this morning with commercial guests and media onboard.

Grain exporter and bulk handler GrainCorp today posted its 2011 half‐year net profit after tax of $88 million, up $35 million or 66 per cent from the prior year.

The Aussie dollar bounced back overnight after producing a false break below the bullish wedge pattern we have discussed over the last couple of days. The market would see this false break as a bullish sign and the Aussie is now expected to move back to the top of the pattern. The 1.0700/20 level provides important resistance.

By Matthew Carr, Investment U Research Analyst Tuesday, May 24, 2011We’re all well aware by now that the world is facing a copper supply deficit.

It's well known that Greece is in trouble. Over the past several months, analysts and experts have been cautioning markets that Greece's fiscal problems are too overwhelming, to the point that debt restructuring is inevitable. Recently, officials from Greece and finance ministers from the Eurozone met to discuss their options and (finance ministers, at least) came to the same conclusion.

Your workforce is one of your greatest assets. Without talented employees your organisation will struggle to develop new initiatives and remain competitive.

Coming as a relief to investors, the U.K.'s Office of National Statistics released preliminary GDP data earlier today which was very much in line with analysts' expectations.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 35 or 0.3% while the S&P gained 0.3% to 1320 and the Nasdaq added 0.6%.Wall Street was again in tune with the euro last night as the Dow opened down 40 points but then began to rally.

In an effort to keep on par with competitors, AT&T said Wednesday that it plans to launch its LTE network in five cities this summer. The first to receive service will be Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, with another 10 cities to follow by the end of the year.

In a veritable repeat of the events of 2010, Amazon on Wednesday dropped the cost of its 3G-equipped Kindle with Special Offers to $164 after new, cheaper Kobo and Nook e-readers were debuted by its competitors.

U.S. stocks snapped a three session losing skid, as investors rode a boost in commodities prices to snap up shares of energy, materials and industrial companies.

The Australian Dollar found some much needed support yesterday following on from an indifferent start to the week.