BUSINESS

Kimberly protects aborigines

The Kimberley Land Council disclosed the breakdown of negotiations over the proposed $30 billion gas hub at James Price Point.
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Australian Stock Market Report

US new home sales fell by 12.4pct to a 276,000 annual rate in July. Economists had tipped a decline to 330,000. Home prices were down 4.8pct on a year ago while new home supply equated to 9.1 months of current sales.

Business finds relief in older workers

Queensland employers are confident in having older workers in their work force. The tendency was reflected in the results of a Monash University survey of 600 Queensland employers.

7 more planes for Qantas

Seven aircrafts will be added to the domestic fleet of Qantas Airways Limited (QAN). The new airplanes will give 66,000 seats per week into the local market in 2011.

Eleven is new entertainment channel

The Ten network's new digital multichannel, Eleven, will target the 16 to 39 age group. The launch date for the general entertainment channel has yet to be announced in one of the two linked briefings for investors, analysts and media this morning.

5% APA shareholders return until 2011

Natural gas infrastructure owner APA Group expect clean earnings in the financial year ahead since natural gas use around the nation is expected to grow.

Wattyl says takeover by Valspar gets nod from ACCC

Paint manufacturer Wattyl Ltd (ASX: WYL) disclosed on Wednesday that it has received an assurance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that it would intervene on the company’s merger plans with US firm The Valspar Corporation.

Outsourcing boosted Pacific Brands profits

Clothing and footwear manufacturer Pacific Brands (PBG) made a net profit of $52.7 million for the 12 months to the end of June. The earnings lifted up the company from its loss of $235 million a year ago.

Customers prefer the nearest EFTPOS

The preference now for the free processing with an EFTPOS machine is taken as a sign of changing customer tastes. John Simon, chief manager of the Reserve Bank Australia's (RBA) payment policy department said, “These are good things. People are making rational decisions.”

Transfield captures work projects in North America

Road management firm Transfield Services Ltd (ASX: TSE) said on Wednesday that it has sealed a preferred contractor status for a $US172 million or $A195.21 million contract with Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Seven sets off for 2011

Seven Group Holdings (SVW)) appears all set for growth for the financial year ahead because of its annual net profit of $718 million.

Australian Stock Market Report

US existing home sales fell by a record 27.2pct in July to a 15-year low of 3.83 million following the end of a home-buyer tax credit. Forecasts had centred on a result near 4.70m.

World Market Overview

U.S. stocks fell Tuesday, with Boeing, Alcoa and Caterpillar leading a broad slide as a record drop in U.S. existing home sales added to investors' worries about the health of the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 133.96 points, or 1.32%, to 10040.45, its fourth straight drop.

Property investors just holding out for spring heat wave

It is not just the uncertainty in the political climate that keeps business players from making moves. The drop in investment housing loans this year could also be taken as a sign of property investors saving up for the spring selling season.

Origin open for merger deals

Australia's second largest electricity retailer Origin Energy (OGFGF) will build multi billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, four of which, to be located in Queensland.

Foster's investors have to wait

After disclosing a loss of $464 million, Australia's brewer and wine maker Foster's Group now states that a formal decision has not yet been reached on the much speculated splitting of their wine and beer divisions.

Potash continues to urge shareholders

Canadian fertilizer producer Potash Corporation (POT) moves on to urge its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Australia mining firm BHP Billiton (BBL).

GPT exit on Newcastle development project disheartens many retailers

New South Wales retailers expressed indignation on Tuesday as property group GPT announced its decision to abandon its $600 million Newcastle inner-city development project and blamed the state government for refusing to support the Hunter Development Corporation (HDC) renewal report.

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