BUSINESS

The employment surge this month also translates to a wake-up call for the Australian parliament to consider its policy on migration as the country now succumbs to higher demand for labour since 2006.

International giant mining firm BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP) said on Friday that it is set to remit up to $C90 billion or $A90.07 billion in royalties and taxes to the various government branches of Canada and bulk of the payment would be allocated to the government of Saskatchewan.

The market saw a firmer opening for the Australian bonds as analysts said investors were keen on waiting for the anticipated US employment figures where up to 5000 more jobs were to be added on non-farm sectors.

Canberra and Adelaide rental prices increased more than the 2.8 percent national average for capital cities last September.

US-based global aluminium producer Alcoa Inc revealed on Friday that it saw dipping net income in the third quarter of the current year as volatile foreign exchange and strong energy costs were cited by the company as main contributor to its 21 percent profit slide.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange this morning, the share price index futures contract was 17 points down at 4684 points. Trading is expected to be cautious before the release of the U.S. non-farm payrolls report later today.

The Australian stock market has closed flat after an up and down Thursday where a rally in response to unexpectedly strong jobs data petered out in afternoon trade.

The local share market managed a slight gain today, as strong employment data pushed the Aussie dollar to a 27 month high. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) gained 8.2pts or 0.2pct to 4746.2 while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) added 4.5pts or 0.1pct to 4691.3.

The strong performance of the Australian dollar will continue and even inched higher than the US dollar in the next few days if the global economic data due tonight sets a good pace.

The Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) Board of Directors have not made any final decisions whether to pursue or not their planned iron ore venture with BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) in Western Australia seen to earn and save the companies billions of dollars.

Private health insurer NIB Holdings Ltd is hoping members of takeover target GMHBA will pressure its board to give a more serious consideration to NIB's $140 million offer.

Attentive and trained flight attendants of Qantas Airlines has secured their 280 passengers bound for Hong Kong when a threat from an emotionally unstable passenger became clear.

Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI) today announced its subsidiary John Holland, which is one of Australia's leading and most diversified contracting, engineering and services providers, has been awarded a $348 million contract for the provision of mining services to the 'Plains' pit of the Jellinbah Coal Mine.

The relative weakness in the construction industry may soon be abated, thanks to the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to keep interest rates steady.

The Australian stockmarket was slightly higher at Thursday noon, after a strong employment figures from the Australia Bureau of Statistics overshot expectations, boosting banks and retailers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced today an extra 49,500 people were hired in September, more than double the 20,000 jobs predicted by analysts.

Android users can now access the eToro's financial trading platform and OpenBook, as its new social trading network.

The Kindle Digital Text Platform (DTP) 70 percent royalty option is now available in the United Kingdom, according to Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

On the Sydney Futures Exchange this morning, the share price index futures contract was 12.7 points down at 4674.1 points. The All Ordinaries was off 11.3 points at 4726.7 points.

The AUD continued its relentless push higher overnight, with the next major level of resistance of USD0.9850 now firmly in its sights.

Stocks seesawed between small gains and losses Wednesday as investors awaited further signals on the labor market that could force the Federal Reserve to act more decisively to prop up the economy.

US private sector payrolls fell by 39,000 in September - against expectations for a rise of 24,000.

The Australian Dollar took a break yesterday, moving in a very quiet 30 pip range against the USD after recent volatile trade.

Australian stocks touched a one week high on Wednesday, with the mining and financial sector leading the broader market.

Local stocks soared today, as investor sentiment was boosted by a strong offshore lead and positive momentum in the Asian region.

Australian stocks rallied 1.7 percent on Wednesday, the biggest gain in five weeks, joining offshore markets in bets that central banks will turn on the cash spigots to boost flagging economic growth worldwide.

The chairman of coal to supermarkets conglomerate Wesfarmers (ASX: WES) has joined the BHP CEP in supporting the idea of a carbon tax but thinks Australia should wait for other countries to introduce a levy first.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) said on Wednesday that its Asian subsidiary would be taking part in a joint venture that is set to develop Hong Kong’s new $660 million sewerage sludge treatment facility.

McDonald's cannot open a store in the Barossa Valley, a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, the Development Assessment Panel has ruled.