BUSINESS

The ASX 200 spent the afternoon consolidating having reached session highs in the latter part of morning trade. Materials and Industrial stocks were the best improved sectors and investors gave the defensive utilities sector a wide berth which saw that group lagging the most.

Early trade on Thursday has seen local shares continue to build on the gains of recent sessions. The ASX 200 opened the day with a gain of 5 points before pushing on to the best levels of the morning when the market was ahead by 52 pts. Investors have been encouraged by the positive tone of US economic news released over night. European shares were generally higher on Wednesday on hopes that the European Central Bank would inject more stimulus into the economy on Thursday. The FTSEurofirst 300 i...

Falling oil prices and slowing down of growth has got many investors concerned about a global recession hitting the markets.

The Australian Dollar is lower after yesterday's weaker-than-expected GDP data from around 0.8460 to 0.8400 and after some intra-session variation overnight, that's about where it sits this morning.

In a slight surprise this week, the PBoC did not use the reverse-repo operation to drain the excess liquidity in the market. Most had forecast this would take place considering the fiscal policy changes currently underway. To my eye, this signals intent that 2015 will be a growth supporting year; interest rate cuts, reserve requirement ratios and further disbursements will be a theme from China in 2015.

In US economic data, the ISM services index rose from 57.1 to 59.3 in November, above forecasts for a result near 57.5. The ADP survey showed that 208,000 jobs were created in November, just short of expectations for 221,000 job growth. The mortgage market index fell by 7.3% in the latest week, dragged down by a fall in refinancing.

Australian shares maintained most of their gains with the ASX 200 Index rising by 0.8 per cent; trading above 5300pts and adding to yesterday's 1.4 per cent surge. Energy and mining sectors improved by between 0.7 per cent and 1.2 per cent despite a slump in oil, gold and iron ore prices.

Male Ebola survivors have been told to abstain from sex for three months and practice masturbation instead for the meantime.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a product recall against the Your Fresh Market meat product over concerns of E. coli O157 bacteria.

Local shares saw a mixed start to trade on Wednesday after the strong gains of the previous session. The ASX 200 opened with a loss of 20 points, however those levels found buying support and over the ensuing hours the market was able to fight its way back into positive territory. At the best levels of the morning the index was up by 50 points and as lunchtime loomed every ASX sector was in positive territory.

North Korea’s motive for hacking the servers of Sony reportedly involves the release of "The Interview,” which the country called as an “act of war.”

The Australian Dollar has slipped back below USD 0.8500, being driven by a strengthening US Dollar, concerns over Australia's economy and uncertainty about the Reserve Bank's next move.

2015 is gearing up to be the stress test of the Australian economy for the millennium.

The Airline of the Year for 2015 has been given to Air New Zealand.

Australian cities may be one of the top places to live or raise a family, but when it comes to being a vacation spot, only one Australia place was included in a bucket list made by Flight Center.

In US economic data, chain store sales fell by 0.6% in the latest week but the annual growth rate of sales rose from 4.2% to 4.8%. Construction spending rose 1.1% in October, ahead of expectations for a 0.6% gain. And the ISM New York index rose from 657.2 to 663.4 in November.

Thanks to quick thinking and adept skills, a Norwegian aircraft pilot was able to dodge a Russian fighter jet when it suddenly zoomed in its path from out of nowhere.

The economists were right again. As they predicted, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept on Tuesday for the 16th straight month the overnight cash rate at the record low 2.5 percent.

Australian shares are being led higher by the mining and energy sectors with the ASX 200 Index rising by 0.7 per cent. Despite today's rise, the local market had its worst day since 10 October yesterday, hit a 1.5 month low in the process and slumped by 3.5 per over two sessions.

The viral “I Hate Thailand” video turns out to be a part of Thailand's tourism campaign.

Intel bought the Canadian start-up for an undisclosed amount.

The focus turns to the RBA. Rates are expected to remain unchanged, but the statement is likely to be AUD dovish.

First impressions always matter when it comes to job interviews.

Here's how to convince your boss you deserve a raise.

Tough time to be a commodities trader; overnight trade saw silver moved through a 15% range, gold moved through a 6% range, Brent crude near enough to 7% while copper moved through a 4% range. A look at the commodities boards suggested Christmas festivities had come early, as each moved from negative to positive and vice-versa.

Deustche Bahn, the German state-owned railway, filed a new lawsuit in Germany and the U.S. seeking over $3 billion in damage from 13 air cargo companies for price fixing. Included in the lawsuit is Australian flag carrier Qantas which has paid over $160 million for increasing the price of freight via fuel and security surcharges between 2000 and 2006.

In US economic data, the ISM manufacturing index eased from 59.0 to 58.7 in November, above forecasts for a result near 57.8.

Australia's "mediocre" performance in the area of science and innovation has raised concerns as it may affect the economy.

Other Cyber Monday 2014 discounts for online shoppers include the CK Men’s basic watch and the Oakley CUSTOM M2 sunglasses.