BUSINESS

A new study by scientists at the American Chemical Society has identified an unlikely new source for raw materials for biodiesel fuels - butter.Researchers report that butter could be used as an eco-friendly feedstock for diesel fuel, a possible new source beyond the current ethanol production.As pa...

Lihir Gold says June quarterly production is in line with guidance and up 6% on the march quarter, but off 17% from the ...

The Australian share market managed a turnaround in afternoon trade to rack up a fourth successive win. Financial stocks drove the gains while the big miners also received support despite a shaky start.

The Australian share market finished firmer for the fourth consecutive trading day, closing at its strongest level for more than a month. Sentiment on th local bourse was boosted by the release of lower than expected inflation figures for the June quarter.

Strong close to the market as Asian markets spark a rally

The Australian share market has put in a U-shaped performance today, rallying initially, selling off after the release of CPI data and then rallying back to positive territory.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) said on Wednesday that it is looking into establishing possible service routes to Europe by going through China, that is if and when Euro authorities give their seal of approval on the proposal.

The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has secured a record workplace relations penalty of $1.325 million as a result of a legal proceeding initiated by the ABCC in response to a protracted union demarcation dispute at the West Gate Bridge strengthening project in 2009.

Billbergia Group has struck a deal with the liquidators of the Vision tower site at the CBD of Brisbane to buy the site for an unknown amount.

Bangkok Smartcard System (BSS) executes contract to implement Vix ERG's MASS clearing house solution, the Australian company said in a statement released today.

Steel specialist BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) and Nippon Steel Corporation of Japan have agreed to undertake a long-term joint technical partnership in developing next-generation coated steel products as the Japanese company announced on Wednesday via its official online site that products to be manufactured by both firms are aimed for the global building and construction market.

Small and medium-sized enterprises must be given greater aid to develop their financial management skills for the sake of the sector and the nation's economic health, CPA Australia said today.

A snapshot of economist responses to today's CPI release.

The Thalanyji People, the Native Title holders of the area in and around Onslow, signed a non-binding agreement with gas company Chevron Australia Pty Ltd on Thursday 22 July in Onslow.

Spot uranium recorded a big price spike this week.

The consumer price index, the key measure of inflation in the economy, rose by 0.6 per cent in the three months to June from 0.9 per cent in the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Engineering firm Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) announced on Wednesday that it has sealed contract agreements amounting to about $2 billion with the BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance, which cover work projects at Goonyella Riverside and Norwich Park mines, both located at the Bower Basin in central Queensland.

Insurance Australia Group is the most recent insurance firm to report a poor performance for the previous fiscal year, as the season for reporting profit has turned sour for investors in insurance shares.

Australian industrial brands business Alesco Corporation (ASX: ALS) has posted another annual net loss and remains cautious about the coming 12 months.

Retail giant Coles announced on Tuesday that it would start selling car insurance, which the company described as a product carrying flexible coverage with a lifetime guarantee on auto repairs by authorised motor vehicle repair outlets.

Macarthur Coal has announced its achievement of high sales for fiscal year 2010, in spite of its poor posting for the second quarter of this year.

The Broadband Industry Training Network, a newly formed group, will convene in Melbourne tomorrow to address the lack of skilled technicians needed to construct the national broadband network.

Robust growth is predicted in Melbourne's retail and industrial markets, according to BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber.

The Australian Dollar has opened little changed and is still starts with a "9" as global markets "seem" to be becoming cautiously optimistic about the economy in the latter half of calendar 2010.

Telstra Corp. has been ordered by court to pay fines to the Commonwealth worth $18.55 million for violating the Trade Practices Act and its conditions for carrier licence by locking out other broadband companies from its telephone dealings.

Macarthur Coal (ASX: MCC) has announced an 11 per cent drop in coal sales in the June quarter against the previous corresponding period. The company, however, noted that it has achieved a sales record for the June 30 financial year.

Gold producer Lihir Gold Ltd (ASX: LGL) said today its three months to June production is in line with guidance.

Overnight, US markets were mixed but little changed as investors took a breather after several strong days of gains.

The chances of QBE buying rival Australian general insurer, Insurance Australia Group continue to fade.QBE's surprise 40...