BUSINESS

Global Markets Overview – June 18, 2014

Equities were firmer overnight despite a mixed round of economic data. In the UK, CPI came in well below estimates while in Europe the ZEW economic sentiment readings for Germany and the region also disappointed. Perhaps the weak data prompted equities higher given investors are hoping to continue seeing stimulus in Europe and low rates in the UK. In US trade it was all about the much stronger-than-expected CPI print. The reading had the market talking that perhaps the Fed's inflation target ...

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning June 18, 2014

In US economic data, the consumer price index rose by 0.4% in May - the most in more than a year - while the core rate (excludes food and energy) rose by 0.3%. Economists were tipping 0.2% increases for both series. But housing starts fell by 6.5% to 1.001 million in May after rising by 13.2% in April. Economists had tipped a result near 1.034 million. And weekly chain store sales were up 3.5% on a year earlier, up from 3.3% in the previous week.
A train hauling carriages filled with iron ore is seen on the outskirts of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in this December 3, 2013 file photo. If Australian miners are worried about the dramatic decline in iron ore prices, it does

Iron Ore Prices Plummet to $89/Tonne

Morgan Ball, the director of BC Iron, said on Tuesday that the mood in Perth is apprehensive but pragmatic after iron ore prices dipped to its 2012 level of $89 per tonne.
More news

Private Label Brands Eat Market Share of Soup Giant

Campbell Soup's (NYSE: CPB) share of the soup market is shrinking because of changing consumer food preference as more people opt for healthier fares. This, in turn, has benefitted private-label brands whose sales are now eating into the soup giant's sales.
A train hauling carriages filled with iron ore is seen on the outskirts of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in this December 3, 2013 file photo. If Australian miners are worried about the dramatic decline in iron ore prices, it does

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday June 17, 2014

All of Monday's improvements have been wiped out after two hours of trade this morning. Continued iron ore weakness, geopolitical concerns in Iraq and Russia together with a downgrade for US growth estimates are some of the major drivers. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.15 per cent, with the mining and energy sectors the worst performers.

Shell Sells Stake in Woodside for $5.32 Billion

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is selling its majority shares in Woodside Petroleum for $5.32 billion after tax. That is equivalent to 157 million shares out of 190 million, in effect reducing its stake in the oil and gas company to 4.5 per cent from 23 per cent.

Global Markets Overview – June 17, 2014

After a downbeat European session, sentiment managed to recover in US trade, despite a continuation of Iraq concerns. There was some positive data out of the US including the Empire State manufacturing index, industrial production and the NAHB housing market index. However, investors seem to be looking ahead to the Fed meeting. The IMF was also on the wires downgrading the US growth forecast for 2014 to 2% (from 2.8%) and maintained 2015 growth at 3%. Major currency pairs just continue to hold t...

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning June 17, 2014

In US economic data, the New York Federal Reserve manufacturing index rose from +19.01 to +19.28 in June, above forecasts for a result near +15. Industrial production rose by 0.6% in May, just above forecasts. And capital flows into the US totalled US$136.8 billion in April after the previous month recorded outflows of US$126.1bn.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft searching for missing MH 370

Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370: 100 Days Later

It has been 100 days since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has gone missing on March 8, and yet authorities are still no closer to finding out the truth about its disappearance. As efforts to search for the vanished plane begin to wane, the frustrations of the 239 passengers and crew members’ families increase.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon June 16, 2014

The Australian sharemarket rose only modestly today, with a lack of major data or corporate events keeping investors at bay. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.1 per cent, with the recently underperforming miners managing to record healthy gains after four straight weeks of losses.

New Zealand Economic Growth Sustainable Despite Interest Rate Hike

The economy of New Zealand grew 1.1 per cent during the first three months of the year compared to 0.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013. According to economists, the country's economy had probably accelerated during the first quarter of the construction and rebuilding in Christchurch.

Global Markets Overview – June 16, 2014

US markets finished the week on a positive note and largely ignored the negative sentiment from Asia and Europe. Investors even brushed off some disappointing economic readings with PPI and consumer sentiment coming in below expectations. The most significant move on Friday was perhaps Japan's sharp reversal higher after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested he is looking to start cutting corporate taxes in 2015. Abe reached an agreement with lawmakers and this helped Japanese equities rally, d...
Recession in 2014? Why Experts are Predicting a Stock Market Crash in 2014

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning June 16, 2014

In US economic data, producer prices fell by 0.2% in May with the core measure (excludes food and energy) down by 0.1%. Economists had expected 0.1% gains for both measures. Consumer sentiment fell from 81.9 to 81.2 in June, below forecasts centred on 83.0.
A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013.

iPhone 6 Release Tagged as Apple Inc. Major Growth Driver

Apple's stock price target has increased with analysts predicting strong demand for the iPhone 6. They also expect the company to release new product categories that will further drive growth. According to reports, RBC Capital has raised its price target for Apple shares to $100.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon June 13, 2014

The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell by 0.45 per cent today, hitting a two-month low and sliding for the third day. Despite some better than expected Chinese economic news late this afternoon, the Australian sharemarket finished lower with continued unrest in Iraq pushing both oil and gold prices higher while base metals fell in unison.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday June 13, 2014

The Australian sharemarket is losing ground for the third straight day and is at a two-month low due to a renewed focus on Iraq. President Obama hasn't ruled out the possibility of military action in the troubled nation. As expected sharemarkets and commodities have been pushed lower by the uncertainty. Looking ahead, plenty of Chinese data in the dying stages of the session will be in focus at 3.30pm (AEST) this afternoon.

Global Markets Overview – June 13, 2014

The near-term pullback in equities continued overnight, with investors focussing on developments in Iraq and a round of surprisingly weaker-than-expected US economic data. Tension in Iraq escalated, while US unemployment claims and retail sales came in below expectations. This gave investors an excuse to sell equities with sentiment relatively risk averse.
A couple hold hands as they walk through downtown Sydney with their shopping from Australian department store retailer Myer, March 6, 2014.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning June 13, 2014

In US economic data, retail sales rose by 0.3% in May, short of forecasts for a 0.6% gain. But the April reading was revised up from +0.1% to +0.5%. Import and export prices rose by 0.1% in May. New claims for unemployment insurance rose by 4,000 to 317,000 in the latest week, above forecasts for a reading of near 310,000.

Pages