BUSINESS

US construction spending rose 0.1pct in June, better than forecasts centred on a decline of 0.5pct. The US ISM manufacturing index eased from 56.2 to 55.5 in July, better than forecasts centred on a reading of 54.1. Employment rose from 57.8 to 58.6.

U.S. stocks climbed Monday as encouraging data on industrial activity in the U.S. and Europe and better than expected earnings from European banks HSBC Holdings and BNP Paribas gave the market a strong start to the month of August.

The Australian Dollar continues to benefit from a weaker greenback and opens this morning buying 0.9136.

Not too negative data had Wall Street on the fly on thin volume last night with metal prices following suit. Dow up 208.

More confirmation yesterday that Chinese manufacturing slowed last month.But at the same time we had evidence that Austr...

Building products supplier, Crane Group has confirmed guidance and reported a sharp fall in net profit for 2010 finan...

Diversified investment company Argo Investments Ltd has posted a fall in annual net profit for the June 30 year, but o...

The Solomon Lew-controlled Premier Investments yesterday attempted to argue that it sees a significant improvement for i...

Retirement village group Aevum Limited has rejected an unsolicited takeover offer proposal from real estate group Stockl...

Rio Tinto has advanced to the next stage of developing its world-class Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, approving US$170 million of further funding for mine, rail and port infrastructure work.

The Australian dollar opened more than half a US cent stronger as equity markets rallied and commodity prices surged overnight.

The Australian share market is expected to jump after it has received positive leads from offshore trading overnight.

The Australian share market has underperformed this year. Here's why. Also, there are good reasons why the year ahead might see the Australian market outperform.

Tiger Airways and Thai Airways International jointly announced on Monday that they are set to form an alliance that would start servicing routes in Thailand by the first quarter of 2011, en route to establishing some presence in promising markets in the Asia-Pacific regions.

A new study from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research shows an association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and an unhealthy 'Western-style' diet in adolescents.The findings, published online in the International Journal of Attention Disorders, are based on an ...

Federal minister for Agriculture Tony Burke today announced that an elected Labor government would introduce a National Food Plan, to examine food security, food quality, the affordability of food and the sustainability of food in Australia.The initiative would not require new funding, but instead c...

The UK's Food Standards Agency said yesterday it would investigate reports that milk from the offspring of a cloned cow has gone on sale in the country.An anonymous UK farmer told the International Herald Tribune he was producing milk from a cow bred from a clone as part of his daily milk output.The...

The RBA's expectations for inflation ? which was contrary to most economists ? have come to pass to ensure rates remain on hold.

A snapshot of economist responses to today's June retail sales and dwelling approvals data, both numbers coming in softer than the market had expected.

Caltex Australia (ASX:CTX) today launched a high ethanol-based fuel designed for use in Holden's VE Series II Commodore flex-fuel vehicles to be released later this year.

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) said on Monday that iiNet was well aware of copyright violations committed through its facilities since film studios had duly informed the internet service provider on the cases of illegal downloading of movies.

Strong gains in Asia help the Australian market.

Australian stocks gained more than one per cent on Monday, with market sentiment driven by growing expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will leave interest rates unchanged at its monthly board meeting on Tuesday.

The Australian share market rallied today, rising 1pct. However volumes were low due to a Bank holiday in NSW and the ACT. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) gained 47pts to close at 4554.4 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) was up 48.1pts or 1.1pct to 4541.6.

The stealing of nearly $20 million from Clive Peeters by the company accountant is a major factor in the collapse of the Australian electrical retailer, the Victorian Supreme Court heard today.

The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has called for all political parties to adopt policies that protect Australian jobs and skills from the practice of offshoring.

Canadian gold mining firm Barrick Gold Corporation (TSE: ABX) said on Monday that it does not intend to lift a finger in blocking the looming takeover bid of Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) for Lihir Gold Ltd (ASX: LGL), calling the deal as an almost done arrangement.

Luxury retailer David Jones is facing legal suits that could cost the company up to $37 million, thanks to its resigned chief executive Mark McInnes as the two were hailed to court for allegations of sexual misconducts, according to statements lodged before the Federal Court.

Leighton Contractors, one of Australia's leading contracting and project development groups, has been selected by the Power and Water Corporation in the Northern Territory to install additional generation capacity at Darwin's Channel Island Power Station.