BUSINESS

Russia is looking for options after facing multiple challenges, both on the economic and political fronts.

The Australian Dollar remains resilient on the back of the Swiss Central Bank's currency announcement to abandon its floor.

Paige A. Jennings quit her internship at a blue chip firm on Wall Street because she thought she's not cut out for the job despite her university degree in finance from the University of Florida.

In US economic data, consumer sentiment rose to 11-year highs in January, up from 93.6 to 98.2. Industrial production fell by 0.1% in December (forecast: flat). Consumer prices fell by 0.4% as expected in December but the core measure (excludes food and energy) was flat.

This week is all about confirmation of our top-down macro views.

The resignation follows an investigation on the Toronto anchor for conflict of interest.

Swiss drugmaker Roche has signed a spate of deals to further its genome analysis program.

Losses almost doubled on the Australian market this afternoon with the ASX 200 Index slumping by 0.6 per cent. The mining sector's gains were wiped out in late trade with only the defensive telcos and consumer staples managing to rise modestly.

Two more U.S. retail names have closed their operations in Canada.

Because of the rapid pace of growth of medical tourism, Australian insurers are starting to cover medical procedures done abroad. Yearly, about 25,000 Australians undergo cosmetic procedures overseas valued at $300 million, experts said.

AstraZeneca’s heart drug Brilinta prevents recurrence of heart attacks for a year.

Australian shares are falling for the fifth straight day with the ASX 200 Index down by 0.7 per cent. This takes the falls this week to 3 per cent; making it the worst week since June 2013 for local stocks. This is also only the third time in 12 months the ASX 200 has lost ground from Monday through to Friday.

Amid concerns about deflation and economic slowdown in some of the countries, Australia is posting gains in job growth.

While European equities continued to rally, the real story was in the FX space where the move made by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprised global markets.

The Swiss National Bank has removed its 3-year old cap of the franc against the Euro, sending the Swiss franc soaring against major currencies.

Local shares extended this week's losses, with the market again held back by heavy falls in the materials sector. A weak lead from Wall Street also weighed on investor sentiment. Overnight markets sold off on weak metal prices, US retail sales for December coming in weaker than expected and poor earnings results from large cap banking stocks.

Australian shares are sliding for the fourth day despite the creation of seven times more jobs than expected in December. The ASX 200 Index is down 0.6 per cent following falls in US markets overnight and weaker base metal prices.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry gives applicants the opportunity to settle down in Canada even without a job offer.

Falling oil prices may be impacting not only countries that produce the commodity but also oil-importing countries.

After rejecting the $975 million divorce settlement cheque that her former husband, oil billionaire Harold Hamm, offered last week, Sue Ann Arnall came to her senses and had the cheque cashed.

The 101-year-old chocolate company, Ernest Hillier, entered into voluntary administration with the appointment of Col Cordis this week as administrator. That would mean Australian may soon miss the confectionary products sold by the oldest chocolate-maker in the country under the brand names Hillier's and Newman's.

Weaker US retail sales helped reverse attempts to drive AUD/USD lower on the back of falling copper prices.

Volatility is feeding erratic trading; headlines such as 'meltdown', 'rout' and 'collapse' increase volatile trading and are adding to the overall trade pressure.

In US economic data, retail sales fell by 0.9% in December, well below expectations for a 0.1% fall. Excluding gas stations and autos, sales were down 0.3%. Import prices fell by 2.5% in December and export prices fell by 1.2%.

Australian shares faded this afternoon to post the biggest tumble in a week, with the ASX 200 Index (XJO) slumping by 0.9 percent to 5353. The local market has now fallen for three consecutive days - with equities dragged lower by weaker commodity prices and a negative lead from Wall Street.

The final report of results of investigations into what happened with AirAsia Flight QZ8501 will be released in 2016.

Australian shares are losing ground for the third day in what has been a volatile start to the session. The ASX 200 Index is down 0.1 per cent with weaker commodity prices and softer US markets not helping.

Oil producing countries are anxiously waiting for the global oil prices to bottom out. The commodity price has continued to fall in the recent months.

The Australian Dollar has remained within the recent 0.8100-0.8200 range yesterday.