BUSINESS

HIA says new homes sales decline in May

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) said on Wednesday that new home sales fell to a three-month low in May thanks to the ever-increasing interest rates which further doused cold water on an already struggling fresh housing demand recovery.

PM Gillard: Talks with mining firm 'good'

Declaring that negotiations with the mining industry members are "good," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard will likely unveil a compromise with the sector on its planned tax measures.
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Copper, oil plunge

Waning hopes on the potential power of continued international growth pushed down commodities today, with copper suffering the hardest hit.

Tatts in huge write-down

Joining a string of Australian companies to suffer in Britain, Tatts Group is finally conceding a huge write-down of its Talarius poker machine business.

Campbell's Solid Profit Upgrade

Shares in Brisbane-based mining testing group, Campbell Brothers, jumped sharply yesterday after the group revealed a so...

Corporates: Tatts, Macmahon

Gambling group, Tatts Group Ltd, has revealed $165 million in write-downs and impairment charges on assets in Britain a...

GPG Fires Rebel Director

Four days after going public with an attack on plans to split the business, GPG's executive director in New Zealand, Ton...

AUS, NZ currencies seen improving

A slight correction in the world financial markets may improve today’s value of the Australian and New Zealand dollars and break off from the sluggish trading now lasting for three weeks.

Government announces BPA baby bottle phase out

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler today announced the phase out by major retailers of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A (BPA).The voluntary phase out by the Wesfarmers group (Coles, K Mart and Target), and retailers Woolworths, Big W and Aldi is the result of months of constructive di...

SABMiller creates educational opportunities in Honduras

SABMiller, one of the world's leading brewers, is providing an education for children of sugar cane workers in Honduras.Cerveceria Hondurena, SABMiller's Honduran subsidiary, set up the ‘Azunosa' school with the aim of trying to ensure that the sugarcane fields which supply its soft drinks operati...

Little Upside For Natural Gas

In the view of Barclays Capital there are factors that could be positive for the natural gas market but none are likely or enough on their own to push prices significantly higher.

IG Markets Australian Market Wrap

The Australia 200 CFD Index was 0.9% lower today at 4345, with energy, industrial, material and financial names detracting most of the points.

Campbell upbeat on September half year profit

Campbell Brothers Ltd said on Tuesday that it is positively en route to post a high half-year underlying net profit of $63 million, owing to much better trading conditions and strong outputs contributed by acquired Pearlstreet and Ecowise.

Will The Fed Stage Another Rescue?

Commentators suggest Fed board members are currently arguing over whether or not to reintroduce massive monetary stimulus to a flagging US economy to re-stimulate growth.

Stirling reveals management shake-up, Kiernan on his way out

Stirling Resources announced on Tuesday that company chief executive Michael Kiernan is set to relinquish his post, paving the way for the resources investment firm and its Austrian financiers to hunt for fresh bloods that would fill up its new management roster.

Tiger announces check-in fees for lower fares

Tiger Airways announced Monday that passengers without check-in baggage would incur a $10 charge starting July 1 but the airline reminded travellers that such fees could be dodged if they opt to check-in online prior to their flight.

Asian markets off to a good start

Asian markets have started with an early rebound on Tuesday led by finance and mobile phone makers. Its disclosure that it will buy back shares allowed Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. to gain 1.7 percent. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Co., on the other hand, rallied 1.2 percent after it reported that its unit NTT Finance Corp. expects its first operating profit in three years.

Downer EDI clarifies present fiscal position

Engineering company Downer EDI Ltd discloses it has sufficient available funds to liquidate despite reports that the company has withheld payment orders to meet targets for cash flow for the company’s financial accounts at the end of the fiscal year.

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