BUSINESS

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) keeps options open on a possible equity issue even if it pushes through with the $4.3 billion purchase of a controlling stake in Korean Exchange Bank (KEB).

The AUD traded up into the mid 0.9400's on Friday evening but has started this week lower around the 0.9370 level as equity markets eased in Europe and the US on concerns of sovereign debt issues in Ireland and Portugal and a weaker consumer confidence survey from the University of Michigan.

US consumer sentiment eased from 68.9 to 66.6 in September, short of forecasts centred on a result near 70.0. US consumer prices rose by 0.3pct in September but the core measure (excludes food and energy) was unchanged in the month.

U.S. stocks climbed narrowly into positive territory on Friday, as technology companies added to the week's modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13.02 points, or 0.12%, to 10607.85 Friday.

Firmly convinced that its planned alliances were crucial for growth, embattled Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX: VBA) said over the weekend that it is bent on arguing its case with government regulators to finally win their approval on the proposed partnerships with US and New Zealand airlines.

Economists and the entire retail industry may not be in favor of conservative consumer spending behavior, but the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it is still a positive sign.

QUEENSLAND Treasurer Andrew Fraser gave the nod to the four to five billion dollar-plus Queensland Rail (QR) National float.

Economic productivity will get a lift with growth in infrastructure.

Customer care and special field services provider Service Stream Limited (ASX: SSM) is seen as a very likely participant in the National Broadband Network project.

The Australian market could start the week low since trading on Saturday morning was 22 point lower at 4637.

The Australian currency was higher at Friday noon, nearing a two-year high, as traders take stock after a dramatic week on currency markets.

The Australian currency finished at two-year high on Friday, returning to heights held before the financial crisis.

The competition watchdog has blocked Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd's proposal to raise fees for regional airlines that operate from Australia's national gateway because it could not show that costs had increased enough to warrant the rise.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has announced on Friday that it has started talks on special resolution scheme with its depositors who were also clients of Storm Financial and saw their savings wiped out when the investment company went under.

The Australian bourse finished higher on Friday, extending its rally for three consecutive weeks as miners posted all-time high gains.

New Zealand dairy firm Fonterra announced on Friday that it has sealed a deal that gave the company the go signal to but two dairy farms in China, where the dairy producer plans to establish a base of milk that meets NZ dairy standard.

Three nations’ markets launched into frenetic trading on Friday as Spanish construction giant Actividades de Construccion y Servicios (ACS) put forward a 2.76 billion Euro or $A3.85 billion all-share proposal on the remaining 70 percent of Germany’s Hochtief, which is a majority owner of Australia’s Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI).

Australia will play a key place in meeting a potential global shortfall in the supply of uranium, which is emerging as a worldwide energy solution, according to an Adelaide-based uranium miner.

The South Australia Government is glad to have Arafura Resources Limited (ASX: ARU) operations in the state's third most populous city.

A telecom customers’ advocate group has called on the government to revisit Australia’s consumer protection regulations for a possible overhaul to address the telco industry’s deteriorating customer service.

In his first statement as Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd chairman (ASX:CBA), David Turner has described the 2011 outlook as "somewhat uncertain" and warned that universal banking regulations will increase costs or reduce credit availability.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) analysis shows Australia's banks will be able to satisfy the Basel III requirements.

The Australian stockmarket was half a per cent stronger at Friday noon, as the resource giants continued to post gains, despite lacklustre overseas leads.

Rare earths producer Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU) announced on Friday that it has forged a deal with OneSteel Ltd to acquire land in Whyalla on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula where the company will house its new processing plant .

Unlike Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, financial analysts are casting doubt on the economic and sovereign risk factors involved in the proposed Purari river project.

Foster's Group, Australia's biggest brewer, is on the top of a $45.6 billion list of local companies compiled by broking house RBS Equities that are seen as targets especially for foreign buyout firms.

The supposed Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) delegation for the 2010 CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets investor forum in Hong Kong still flew to the area.

A US neuroscience expert confirmed in his report that children from a small town in Queensland indeed suffered from brain damage due to lead poisoning, which the families of the affected kids had attributed to the nearby mining activities of giant resource firm Xstrata.

The Australian work force remains pessimistic of their superannuation, a survey shows.