BUSINESS

The Australian and New Zealand currencies managed to pare losses in today's trading as investors thrived on confidence that the Japanese government will soon intervene to strengthen the yen.

The Australian stock market was higher at midday thanks to gains in the mining sector.

Sigma Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SIP) has denied market rumours it has received a higher 65¢-a-share takeover bid from South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare Holdings.

Myer recorded a mixed 4Q sales result but lifted earnings guidance for the full year, the result being brokers remain generally positive on the outlook for the stock.

A brief look at important company events and economic data releases next week.

US bank repossessions of mortgaged residential property were the second highest on record in July.

National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) said small- and medium-size enterprises confidence has declined, two days after announcing a delay in its projected business banking growth.

Commercial building activities are declining in favour of state-funded public projects, according to a survey.

Giant oil company Chevron dismissed on Friday a workers’ union report of a housing ship that allegedly slammed into a barge off the Pilbara coast and endangered the lives of numerous workers aboard the vessel at that time.

Australian newspaper circulation has slid in the three months to June 30, according to recent data.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) announced today that private equity firms General Atlantic and Apax Partners have agreed to effectively underwrite a planned stockmarket float of SouFun Holdings Ltd, China's second-largest online real estate website where the Australian telecom giant is major shareholder.

It was a quiet night for currencies overnight, the AUD grinding higher at one stage, back above USD0.9000.

The Aussie dollar experienced a roller coaster ride over the last 24 hours dropping to 0.8920 in Asia before bouncing back to 90 cents in early Europe only to retest 0.8920 in North American trade overnight.

U.S. stocks fell for a third straight day Thursday as a revenue warning from Cisco Systems weighed on other technology stocks, including Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft, while disappointing U.S. jobs data also sent jitters across the market.

The Australian share market has received a mixed lead from offshore markets, with Wall Street and oil prices ending weaker, while metals gained.

The controversial debates in the mining sector have hit Australia's reputation as a safe destination for mining investment and exploration, according to a survey.

The Dow recovered from a 110 point fall on higher jobless claims to close down 58 on low volume.

Cash rich, profit poor might describe the plight of Telstra after yesterday's 2010 earnings report and outlook.Cash flow...

Investors shrugged off the lack of a final dividend from Qantas after the airline yesterday reported another tough year ...

In contrast to the lower result from Telstra, Singapore Telecommunications said yesterday that Optus' net profit was up...

Coca-Cola Amatil says it made a record net profit in the six months to June, thanks to price rises which helped offset...

Australian unemployment rose to 5.3% yesterday in something of a surprise, but the Australian Bureau of Statistics has r...

JetBlue shares are trading 4.35% lower at $6.15. This depite the 8.3 % rise in July Traffic, compared to the same month last year.

* Australia's beef industry has consistently reduced emissions intensity for producing beef since 1990* Continued R&D aims to find ways to further reduce emissions while increasing productivityMeat and Livestock Australia (MLA) this week announced that the Australian beef industry has achieved a...

According the recently released 2010 Wider Beverages Report by leading market information company Nielsen? the latest trends in the Australian beverage marketreflects a world where people are spending more on their favourite beverages but overall consuming less.The report reviews the wider beverage...

Danone has refuted claims from Russian grocery retailer Seventh Continent that it has increased its wholesale prices in the country by up to 31%.The French food giant confirmed there had been an increase but not to the extent claimed by Seventh Continent."Danone has increased prices for its products...

Rob Chapman chief executive of BankSA has been appointed by Westpac as a replacement for outgoing St. George chief executive Greg Bartlett.Westpac which acquired St. George in 2008 for $15 billion announced on Friday that Mr. Bartlett would be retiring from his position as chief executive of St. Geo...

Australian banking major, CBA may become the first lender to raise its interest rates independently of the Reserve Bank of Australia.In justifying its decision, the lender said that its net interest margin was under pressure from higher costs.CBA, which this week reported the highest ever profits fo...

Consumers in Australia expect a slight decline in inflation, according to survey results issued today by the Melbourne Institute.