BUSINESS

ANZ posts 37% rise in Q3 profit

ANZ Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ), one of the big four alongside Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and National Australia Bank, announced on Friday a 37 percent rise in third quarter net profit as bad debts declined.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday

The Australian share market is lower in morning trade, after a negative night on global markets and falls in commodity prices. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.86pts or 38points to 4,470 at lunchtime.

Potash Corporation Fights Off BHP Bid

The world's largest fertilizer company seeks alliances with national financial institutions in order to shake off BHP Billiton from its hostile bid. Potash Corporation is even considering Chinese Banks.
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BHP to influence potash pricing

Australian diversified natural resources company BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) has signalled it could drive a shake-up of the global pricing of potash if its $43 billion bid for Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc. succeeds.

Australian Dollar Outlook 20/8/2010

The Australian Dollar has opened lower this morning, falling back through USD0.8950 overnight following some disappointing US data releases.

Australia's Lawyers Veer Away from Billable Hours

Telstra breaks away from the traditional billable hours when paying for legal services. Being one of the nation's biggest corporate consumers of legal services makes the move a force in corporate Australia.

Australian stocks to follow offshore slumps

The Australian stock market is set to go down today after receiving strongly negative leads from offshore trading overnight, with heavy falls on Wall Street, oil falling below $US75, and metals generally lower. Only gold futures rose.

Australian Stock Market Report

US Philadelphia Fed business activity index fell from +5.1 to minus 7.7 in August - marking the weakest reading in 13 months. The sub-indices also highlighted significant weakness. Employment, new orders and shipments all posted negative readings.

World Market Overview

Intel and General Electric both weighed heavily on the Dow Jones Industrial Average Thursday as U.S. stocks skidded broadly.

Daily Forex Commentary 20/8/2010

The Australian Dollar endured a lack lustre session during Asian time yesterday with the little battler limited to a 35 pip range.

Coal squeezes out Wesfarmers’ profit

Wesfarmers' (ASX:WES) disparate collection of businesses, including supermarkets, insurance, chemicals, hardware, office supplies and coal, has posted a smaller than expected rise in full-year profit.

Quiet Exit for Gunns

Forestry contractors are surprised by news of Tasmanian timber company Gunns pulling out from logging operations. Reports in the financial media have led to speculations of a halt in logging Tasmania's native forests as early as December this year.

Coles Says No to Sow Stalls

For Coles, the customer is always right. The supermarket chain now actively supports their customers' choice for fresh pork from farms which do not use sow stalls by 2014.

Interactive Theme Parks for Australia

Using skills in a structured environment of fear, speed, and thrills will be the focus of theme park developers in Australia. The new combination is expected to put the continent on the tourism map.

IG Markets Australian Market Wrap

In Asia, regional markets are mostly higher this Thursday following a solid set of leads from the US. Bargain hunting in Japan has lifted stocks, with the Nikkei 225 1% firmer. Elsewhere, The Hang Seng and Kospi are up 0.8% and 0.9% respectively while the Shanghai Composite is 0.4% stronger.

Banks warn of bogus phone survey

The Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) is warning of a telephone survey scam which is using the ABA's name in an attempt to de-fraud bank customers.

Residents Near Footscray Railway Will Wait

The Victorian Government remains silent on the route of the multi-billion dollar Regional Rail Link project. Affected residents near the Footscray Railway Station, therefore, could not decide yet on whether they want their land and other properties sold to the government.

Brambles posts solid results for FY 2010

Australian pallet supplier Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) today reported sales revenue of US$4,146.8 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2010, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous equivalent period.

S&P monitors BHP’s credit ratings after its bid on Potash

Following its Tuesday announcement of a $US38.56 billion or $A42.89 billion takeover bid for Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, international rating agency Standard & Poor’s listed on Thursday BHP Billiton Ltd’s long term issuer credit ratings in CreditWatch.

Australian bourse flat at noon

The Australian stock market was flat at midday as company earnings results failed to inspire many investors and. with no market-moving data set for release

New Carlton Ad To Grab Consumers on Friday

The Carlton group takes another piss out of beer advertising in its latest Carlton Draught advertisement. The new ad is expected to be a hit and a psychological stimulus for consumers to keep Carlton as Australia's top-selling beer.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday

Once again the Australian share market is trading flat, as weakness in blue-chip stocks offsets positive earnings results. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 2.6pts to 4501.3 at lunchtime in the east.

New Digital Channel For Men Ages 16 to 49

Sixteen to 49 year old men will have an exclusive channel for their age group. The new digital free-to-air channel 7mate's first broadcast on September 25 will be a live coverage of the AFL grand finals.

Pizza Hut Goes For Less Salt

Pizza lovers in Australia will soon have a healthy alternative with Pizza Hut's latest less salt line of pizza products. Customers will enjoy 45 percent less sodium starting next year.

Healthscope posts 37% profit rise in FY10

Australian healthcare service provider Healthscope Ltd (ASX:HSP) has announced a 37 per cent rise in annual profit and projects solid demand and growth in the year ahead.

Small Farmers to Continue CBA With Parmalat

Dairy farmers in Queensland and New South Wales will continue collective bargaining with milk company Parmalat. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the move will protect small farmers from being pushed over by multinational companies.

BMA Wants Fly-in, Fly-out Workers

Close to 1,200 job vacancies are expected when mining company Billiton Mitzubishi Alliance (BMA) begins its $4 billion coal project. The jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase.

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