BUSINESS

New Zealand farmers have opted to embrace the government's carbon trading program because of the financial rewards. The decision, though, was based on a weak understanding of the risks of converting pasture land into forest.

Australian mining leader BHP Billiton may just make a second bid for the Potash Corporation of Canada. The world's largest fertilizer producer earlier considered the BHP's unsolicited bid of $38 billion to be "grossly inadequate."

Fifteen to nineteen year olds are having difficulties in finding jobs. The total number of unemployed youth rose from 145,000 in June to 152,400 in July.

Retail property specialist Westfield Group (ASX: WDC) said on Wednesday that it has climbed back to profit status, managing to collect $961 million in net profit from the first six months leading to end of June this year.

Australian department store David Jones (ASX: DJS) has reported a moderate increase in like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter and reaffirmed earnings guidance for fiscal 2010 and 2011.

Sydney-based Boral (ASX:BLD) is selling Boral Formwork and Scaffolding to Anchorage Capital Pty Ltd, for a consideration of A$35 million, in line with its strategy to concentrate on growing core assets.

As construction activities start picking up in the second half of 2010, steel manufacturer OneSteel Ltd (ASX: OST) said on Tuesday that demand growth for the product could be expected for the rest of the year as the company reported that it gained 12 percent full-year profit for 2009/10.

Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc announced overnight it has rejected an unsolicited takeover bid from Australian diversified natural resources company BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) worth about $US38.49 billion ($42.85 billion).

Inflation is expected to remain under control until 2012 even though consumers continue to hold on to their money. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) revealed its favorable outlook on the inflation rate and on the economy in the minutes of its August meeting.

Australia faced a 5.3 percent unemployment rate in July. Economic analysts are confident the figure will remain the same for August. Political analysts, however, say the figure may sway votes in the August 21 elections.

Australia-based medical centre operator and pathology provider Primary Health Care (ASX:PRY) has announced a 21.7 per cent increase in net profit but expects earnings in the current year to be at the lower end of earlier guidance.

A study by the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) published on Tuesday found that the country’s agricultural sector is suffering from labour shortage of at least 96,000 full-time workers and an additional skill drought of 10,000 part-time workers.

The Welfare Rights Centre (WRC) expressed deep concern over the employment policies of the Coalition and the Opposition parties. Both parties have included rewards, as well as, punitive measures in efforts to win voters for the August 21 elections.

A study by the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) published on Tuesday found that the country’s agricultural sector is suffering from labour shortage of at least 96,000 full-time workers and an additional skill drought of 10,000 part-time workers.

Woodside Petroleum (ASX:WPL) reported another gas find in Western Australia's Carnarvon Basin.

Australian exports have a stable market in the top three economies of the world. China, for one, moves on to overtake Japan as the second largest economy, next to the United States.

Using the waves of the southern Australian coastline can meet half of the country's current electricity needs. Setting up the electricity infrastructure to tap the energy along the coast now could even halt the rising cost of electricity.

It is the second year of profit for the Adelaide Casino. The recently released figures signal continued employment and government earnings.

The AUD has opened stronger this morning gaining overnight with news that China will take over Japan's place as the world's second largest economy.

US NAHB housing market index fell 1pt to 13 in August - marking the third straight month of falls and a 17-month low. A reading below 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as poor rather than good.

U.S. stocks bounced around in jumpy trading Monday, as major manufacturers including 3M lagged but technology companies Cisco and Intel jumped thanks to buzz generated by new deals activity.

Poor growth data released in Japan yesterday was enough for investors to once again eschew riskier assets which saw the Australian Dollar dip towards 0.8860 early in the Asian session.

The Australian currency opened in a better position today, thanks to news its primary trading partner, China, has overtaken Japan as the world's second-largest economy.

Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) is fast-becoming the car of choice for most Australians and according to the latest data furnished by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday, the month of July alone saw some new 20,405 units rolling out of dealers’ outlets.

The airline industry enjoyed an increase in the demand for premium airline tickets. A 16.6 percent increase in ticket sales kept first class seats filled in June. The increase also covers sales for business class tickets.

The Australian share market opened flat following mixed leads from offshore trade overnight.

UGL Ltd (ASX:UGL) an Australian diversified services company operating in maintenance, facilities management, engineering and construction, announced today its annual profit increased 1 percent, thanks to higher earnings from its infrastructure and resources units.

Oops, but aren't the US, Chinese and Japanese economies, the world's three biggest, suddenly in synch again, on the dow...

Oops, but aren't the US, Chinese and Japanese economies, the world's three biggest, suddenly in synch again, on the dow...