BUSINESS

U.S. stocks fell slightly Wednesday, despite improving U.S. economic data, as investors continued to worry about euro-zone finances.

US industrial output rose 0.4pct in November - marking its biggest gain since July and ahead of expectations.

SITA Environmental Solutions, a joint venture between France-based Suez Environnement and Singapore's Sembcorp Industries, has acquired the NSW government's waste services firm, WSN Environmental Solutions for $235 million.

The Australian stock market closed flat late trade.

The Australian bond weakened after US central bank declared that the ongoing economic recovery is not sufficient to hamper increase in unemployment.

The ACT government has released the revisions on the Change of Use Charge (CUC) that will apply to the territory set for July 1 next year.

Consumers remain confident, but are likely to hold out on spending, the peak body representing Australia's leading retailers says.

Local stocks tracked sideways today, however the marginal gain was enough to make it five wins in a row for the local share market.

Demand for office space in Melbourne’s central business district remains robust and may force rents to rise as vacancies drop and supply is limited.

Ten Network Holdings Ltd (ASX:TEN) has appointed Grant Blackley as chief executive officer of Ten Holdings effective immediately.

The country’s consumer shopping mood grew steadily in December despite expected declines due to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision in November to lift its policy rate.

More Australians are considering buying homes in the United States as the Australian dollar becomes at par with the U.S. dollar according to real estate executives.

Mineral explorer Conquest Mining Ltd (ASX: CQT) has given the formal approval for the development of the Mt Carlton Project in North Queensland following the positive results achieved in the project's optimisation study.

Weak sales and a stronger Australian dollar have led Billabong International Ltd (ASX:BBG) to cut its profit forecasts.

A full bench ruling by the Federal Court affirmed an earlier judicial decision that effectively stripped Telstra Corporation-subsidiary Sensis the right to exclusively own and publish the telco’s telephone directories’ contents.

CSR Ltd (ASX:CSR) Australia's biggest sugar milling company, says the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) in New Zealand has given the greenlight for the sale of its sugar division to an overseas buyer.

Shanghai-based, Thakral Corporation, has announced new plans to invest in mid-sized residential developments in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Local stocks are posting modest gains in early trade, following a strong offshore rally.

Australian contracting and property development company Watpac Limited has bagged the contract for the US$353 million construction of high-end ‘One Central Park’ residential and retail buildings located in Sydney.

Global miner Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is to invest in its Canadian aluminium smelters to improve production efficiency through modernisation and expansion.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) today confirmed executing sale and purchase agreements with the NSW government to acquire the retail businesses of Integral Energy and Country Energy, and entering into GenTrader arrangements with Eraring Energy, for $3.25 billion.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to its highest intraday level in more than two years Tuesday as Federal Reserve officials stuck to their easy money policy while data showed rising sales in the retail and business arenas.

Reports from Australia revealed business confidence had declined from the previous month while the number of new homes for the 3rd quarter contracted by -13.2%.

The Australian Dollar has opened firmer this morning after trading to a high of USD1.0025 in the offshore session.

US retail sales rose by 0.8pct in November - marking the fifth straight month of gains and ahead of expectations.

The Australian share market closed slightly firmer, buoyed by resources and energy stocks.

Retail asset and development site sales were bolstered by investor confidence as more than US$120 million worth of properties were sold in Western Sydney this year by the CB Richard Ellis’ Parramatta Metro team.

The Melbourne metropolitan bulky goods sector has maintained strong growth this year due to low vacancy numbers and solid demand from retailers.

Plans to build a five star hotel in the former State Library has sent a heritage group into uproar.