BUSINESS

After completing a major review of its operations and asset base which has resulted in a revision of the profit forecast for the 2010/11 financial year, Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) says the group now expects to report a loss of $427 million for the financial year versus its previous guidance for a profit of $480 million after tax.

- Alesco sells Marathon Tyres division- Divestment completes non-core asset sales program- Stockbrokers see value from improved efficiencies in remaining core businessesBy Chris ShawBuilding products group Alesco ((ALS)) surprised the market last week with the sale of its Marathon Tyres business.

Australians are missing out on more than $4 billion in unpaid interest annually by placing their money in low-interest bearing accounts, according to new data released today.

Australia is closely watched by other countries in the Asia-Pacific as to how it will implement a very tough anti-smoking law that seeks to discourage the habit and promote a more healthy lifestyle.

(This story was originally written and published on March 30, 2011. It has now been repeated to make it available to non-paying members at FNArena and to readers elsewhere).

The US White House and Republicans made a budget deal on Friday night to prevent closure of Government offices.

Barely a month after his announced retirement from the Macquarie Group, chairman David Clarke has succumbed to his lingering illness today at age 69.

Despite Japan’s latest earthquake in the northeastern coast which is an aftershock of the tremor on March 11, Asian stakes managed to rise in the market.

Toyota Australia has lowered the price of its Prius petrol-electric range as hybrid technology begins to enter the mainstream.

NBN Co says it is on track for the September commencement of commercial super-fast broadband services with the signing of the first retail service providers to connect to the new network for trials on mainland Australia.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake striked the sea near Miyagi Region in northeastern Japan at 23:32 p.m. (1432 GMT) local Time Thursday.

Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) says it has given the go ahead to spending US$238 million to advance a feasibility study for extending the life of Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine in Salt Lake City, and for the purchase of related long-lead time equipment.

US consumer credit rose by $7.62 billion in February after a downwardly revised $4.45 billion rise in January.

- While the temptation is to always see present crises as the worst ever, history shows life resumes its normal path given time- Gold has outperformed equities over the past decade, but history shows such trends do reverse- Investors should ask whether this time really is different, because history ...

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 17 points or 0.1% while the S&P lost 0.1% to 1333 and the Nasdaq also lost 0.

- ASX Investment HourDate = 17th May (12-1pm)Place of action = Wesley Theatre, Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt St, SydneyTheme = Stocks That Consistently Beat the MarketWrap = How to beat the market? It's not a super-formula.

Mining experts are convinced that the global supply deficit could further push copper prices higher until the year 2013 to the benefit of mining companies world-wide, mining experts attending the CRU World Copper conference in Sanitago, Chile said today.

A strong jobs report will not be ignored at the Reserve Bank, but you bet there will be a flock of commentators, lobbyists and their employers who will ignore it and still insist that the Australian economy is sluggish, two speed and worse.

The AMP's Chief Economist, Dr Shane Oliver says there are a lot of worries about the outlook in and around markets at the moment.

Copper prices face a curious outlook in 2011.Despite a record hit in February, the metal has fallen by around 8%, while oil, gold and silver (other speculators' favourites) have hit new all time or recent highs.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) and The Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank) have signed an agreement to promote close cooperation.

By Greg PeelFrom the beginning of 2007 to the GFC in 2008, the US dollar index fell 17.5% from 85 to 72.

A security breach at the Qantas domestic terminal in the Melbourne Airport has prompted the evacuation of passengers this morning causing some delays for thousands of passengers.

Australia's Rio Tinto Mining Ltd has strengthened its bid obtaining 49.49 percent of all the shares of Riversdale Mining Limited (Riversdale), the company announced late Wednesday.

Microsoft and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) have finalized an agreement to infuse digital capabilities into the Japanese auto maker's cars hosted in the Internet "cloud."

Goldman Sachs is plotting to take full control over third-ranked investment-banking market in Asia by buying out its Australian partners.

Australia's construction industry remained in the red in February, although the rate of contraction eased, with the Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI) in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association, up 4.4 points to 44.6 (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity).

The strong Australian dollar together with weak domestic demand, rising overseas competition and the increasing cost of raw materials pushed the manufacturing sector back into the red in March according to the latest Australian Industry Group - PwC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI). The seasonally adjusted index fell 3.2 points to 47.9 bringing it below the 50 points level separating expansion from contraction.

Steeper falls in activity, new orders and employment saw the national construction industry suffer a bigger fall in March.