BUSINESS

MF Global Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: MF), a broker-dealer providing trading and hedging solutions, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

BlackRock, Inc. announces that it has agreed to repurchase Bank of America Corporation's remaining ownership interest in BlackRock totaling 13,562,878 of its Series B Convertible Preferred Shares for approximately $2.545 billion, or $187.65 per share.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 45 points or 0.4% while the S&P gained 0.2% to 1343 and the Nasdaq added 0.

A strong rally in Australian equities was enough to support the currency from the outset on Thursday pushing it towards 1.0680 where it spent most of the Asian session.

The Australian share market roared back to life Thursday after risk aversion in global equity markets moderated overnight and the local bourse broke above its 200 day moving average.

US existing home sales fell by 0.8pct in April, against expectations of a 2pct rise. The median home price was $163,700 in April, down 5pct on a year ago. US jobless claims fell by a larger than expected 29,000 to 409,000 last week.

Australia’s largest independently owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice, has bucked broader industry trends in March as it reached its highest value of home loan approvals since October 2009.

Following on from two very successful "Rudi unplugged" presentations in Melbourne, FNArena editor Rudi Filapek-Vandyck will be presenting in Hobart and in Sydney in June.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaOne of FNArena's long-time subscribers, Hubert W, posted a message this week, after I had announced we would soon launch a new service on the website based on FNArena's consensus price targets.

Oil prices for July delivery of Brent oil advanced 13 cents to $112.43 on Thursday after the anticipated increase in U.S. Stockpile did not materialized.

Australians support the insurance industry’s calls for a ban on the building of residences in flood-prone areas, an online survey has found.

Despite cost of living and interest rate concerns, almost half of NSW home buyers think it’s a good time to invest in property.

- Recent sell-off in commodities was a reality check, says Natixis- Among base metals, copper and tin are believed to have strongest fundamentals- Inflation a key to any further leg-up in pricesBy Chris ShawCommodity market consultant Natixis Commodity Markets has released its second quarter metals ...

By Greg PeelWelcome to SMSFundamentals, a new feature series specifically dedicated to providing SMSFs with valuable news, investment ideas and services, in line with SMSF requirements and obligations.

- CSL's revenue growth has slowed considerably- 2003-08 was a boom time for plasma- The end of the GFC will not mean a return to the boom By Greg PeelThe period 2003-08 was quite simply a blood frenzy.

The fastest growing employee base has been found to be the 'Twilight' generation, with workers aged over 63 growing at 8.6%, according to the first MyCareer employment forecast for 2011.

Thompson suggested the annual appraisal system be replaced with performance management techniques that are implemented on an ongoing basis, providing feedback and developmental opportunities closely linked to the employee's and employer's goals.

Victorians are divided about whether now is a good time to be buying property, according to the latest poll from mortgage provider Homeloans Ltd. Compared with other states, they’re also finding high prices to be a greater barrier to home ownership.

Fifty-four per cent employers in Australia are experiencing difficulty filling critical positions, according to the latest Talent Shortage Survey from Manpower Australia.

The Australian Dollar finds itself drifting in a tight trading range, which is a bit of a first for quite some time.

Moody’s Investors Service, in the latest indication of increasing scrutiny of international banks, has slashed its credit rating for Australia’s big four banks, that are among the world’s most creditworthy.

An interim ATSB investigation report has confirmed that a Rolls-Royce engine manufacturing defect ultimately led to the 4 November 2010 uncontained engine failure on board a Qantas A380 aircraft over Batam Island, Indonesia.

Cargill's cocoa and chocolate operations at its production facility in Côte d'Ivoire have now resumed. Cocoa bean purchases have also recommenced, and exports of products and beans will also resume in the next few days.

BNY Mellon Alternative Investment Services (AIS), a leading hedge fund service provider, announced that it has topped $400 billion in assets under administration, making it the second largest provider of solutions to hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, and private equity investments globally.

By Greg PeelThe Dow rose 80 points or 0.7% while the S&P gained 0.9% to 1340 and the Nasdaq jumped 1.1%.

U.S. stocks snapped a three-day losing streak Wednesday as the Federal Reserve's minutes showed the central bank officials are in no hurry to tighten monetary policy

Moody's cut their credit rating cut one notch to Aa2 due to their reliance on overseas debt markets.

A weaker reading in both the Westpac Consumer Sentiment (actual -1.3%; previous 1.2%) survey and quarterly Wage Price Index (actual 0.8%; previous 1%) saw the Aussie slip off 30 pips yesterday with the result potentially adding evidence that rates may remain on hold when the RBA meets the first Tuesday of next month.

The Australian share market finished modestly higher after Asian markets rallied and as weaker than expected local wage data buoyed consumer stocks.