BUSINESS

Giant mining firm BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP) confirmed on Friday reports that the company is set to move financial services staff from its Adelaide office to either offshore locations in Asian cities or Perth and Brisbane stations in order to achieve smoother business relations with its Asian operations.

Australian food and retail franchise owner and operator Allied Brands (ASX: ABQ) has lowered profit guidance for the second time in six weeks due to larger write-downs.

Many of National Australia Bank's customers have been slapped with bigger monthly payments after one of the nation's major financial institutions incorrectly computed repayments for some variable and tracker-style mortgages.

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

In a case of deja vu for Australians, the US Democrats have decided to shelve their ETS plans ahead of the mid-term elections given lack of Republican support.

Sydney-based David Jones Ltd (ASX: DJS) announced today that it is ending its collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi as the high-end retailer’s advertising partner for 14 years, taking in M&C Saatchi as the company’s new promotional agent for the next three years.

Chief executive Andrew Penn of Australasian wealth manager Axa Asia Pacific Holdings (ASX: AXA) has put on a bold front amid his company's weak results.

The AUD has opened up over USD0.8900 this morning after a surprisingly strong night offshore last night.

U.S. stocks climbed broadly Thursday following strong earnings from Caterpillar, 3M and United Parcel Service, while better than expected data on U.S. existing home sales and euro zone economic activity also provided a boost.

US jobless claims rose by 19,000 in the latest week to 464,000, above expectations for a result near 445,000.

Australia's economy will deteriorate and inflation rise if the admission of skilled migrants is not maintained at least at its current level, according to some of the nation's most prominent business figures.

Riding on the heels of much better passenger traffic this year, Sydney Airport said on Friday that its terminal operations garnered a double-digit spike in earnings for the first half of calendar 2010, which about 12.9 percent higher from the previous corresponding period last year.

Another bad day for Woolworths' shares yesterday.While the market was mixed in reaction to poor leads from offshore, Woo...

Analysts have downgraded production forecasts, following global miner BHP Billiton's (ASX: BHP) fear that the Gulf of Mexico disaster will destroy the petrol growth prospects this year.

Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, has had an unusual economic lexicon in the past year or so.In early 2009 he gave...

After looking vulnerable to more downside in Asia yesterday the Aussie dollar found intraday support at 0.8735 going on to reverse its trajectory and rally during the European time-zone to retest what had been strong resistance around 0.8750.

As the merger with Lihir Gold inches closer, Newcrest Mining yesterday reported a solid end to the 2010 financial year a...

With the federal election now set for August 21 the AMP's chief economist, Dr Shane Oliver says it is natural to wonder ...

The earnings season yo-yo shot up last night and even economic data surprised. Dow up 201. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEST)

The Australian currency opened nearly two US cents stronger, bolstered by positive investor sentiment following comments from the central bank and the US Federal Reserve earlier in the week.

The Australian share market is forecast to open higher, after a positive end on Wall Street and stronger commodities prices during the offshore session.

Slowly, the recovery in global steel is fading as the momentum goes out of the restocking boom, car sales peak in some c...

The Gillard Government will be funding $33,000 to Standards Australia to support the Australia Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products"The OFA initiated the Australia Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products to ensure credibility of organic products." Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federat...

According to the latest consumer research from Nielsen, New Zealand wines are quickly becoming a regular feature in the cellars of Australian households with continued strong volume sales growth for take-home purchases (up 38% compared to total wine market at 10%).Information sourced from Nielsen's ...

A war of words has erupted between two of the big four lenders, with Ralph Norris chief executive of CBA, lashing out at NAB’s claims that the lender is making super profits in mortgage lending.The banking oligopoly in Australia is normally a cozy affair, and Mr. Norris criticizing a rival is inde...

Wealth investment manager AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd (ASX: AXA) revealed on Thursday that its Hong Kong operations were experiencing accelerating growth, with regional sales soaring by more than 50 percent during the first half of the year.

World Bank president Robert Zoellick reported on Wednesday that the recent worldwide financial crisis had resulted to an additional 60 million people living in poverty as he noted that economic gains achieved in global recovery remained frail and tentative in some economies across the globe.

Australian beer and wine maker Foster's Group Ltd (ASX:FGL) was forced to issue a clarifying note to the market after its internal earnings target was unintentionally revealed today.

Australia-based oil and gas explorer and producer Petsec Energy Ltd (ASX:PSA) has cut down its 2010 production and revenue projections to 4.0 Bcfe (billions of cubic feet equivalent) and $US28 million ($31.94 million) respectively.