BUSINESS

Global Markets Overview – 5/26/14

A man looks at an electronic board displaying Japan's Nikkei average (top C) and various countries' stock indices, as passers-by walk past outside a brokerage in Tokyo April 16, 2014.
Equities managed to get into the weekend on a positive note, but developments out of the weekend remain on the European front. The dominant theme from Friday's session was modest US dollar strength with a solid new home sales reading helping sentiment along. The greenback enjoyed good strength against the yen and the euro, with USD/JPY nudging the 102 level. This puts the Nikkei in a very good position at the open today and we are currently calling it up 0.8% to 14,573.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 5/26/14

In US economic data, new home sales rose by 6.4% to a 433,000 annual pace in April, above forecasts centred on result near 425,000. The weekly Economic Cycle Research Institute index eased from 136.3 to 135.1 in the latest week but is up 5.0% on a year ago.
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China exports

Global Markets Overview – 5/23/14

Equities extended their gains in US trade on the back of some encouraging manufacturing readings, particularly from China and the US. China's HSBC manufacturing PMI reading hit a five-month high yesterday and triggered strength across the risk space in Asian trade. Meanwhile in Europe the readings were mixed with manufacturing mostly weaker resulting in further strain in the single currency.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 5/23/14

In US economic news initial jobless claims rose 28,000 to 326,000 last week. US existing home sales rose by 1.3% in April to 4.65 million annual units. The increase marked only the second gains in nine months. Sales remain 6.8% lower than a year ago. The US Markit ´´flash´´ manufacturing index rose from 55.4 to 56.2 in April.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/22/14

Local stocks were able to add to early gains thanks to a better than expected reading on Chinese manufacturing. The ASX 200 ended the session within sight of the best levels of the session when the index was up by 67 points. Participation was solid with around $4.6 billion in turnover.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/22/14

Better than forecast signs for China's manufacturing industry are helping lift the miners, dollar and most of the broader market. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.9 per cent to 5454pts, with the resource industry a standout. Strength from global markets last night thanks to comments from the U.S. central bank hinting rates are likely to remain at rock bottom levels for longer is also helping.

New Lemonhead Mascot Beats People's Reactions to McDonald's Happy [PHOTO, VIDEO]

If the recent McDonald's Happy terrified Twitter and most social media users, The Lemonhead candy brand's new mascot might just top that. Ferrara Candy Co. rolled out an updated new mascot and introduced him on Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook last Sunday. Just like McDonald's Happy not getting a positive welcome from social media users, "Lemonhead" starts to receive the same feedback.
The Las Pulgas Fire burns near an athletics field at Camp Pendleton, California in this May 16, 2014 handout photo from the USMC. The Las Pulgas Fire is one of four fires at Camp Pendleton Marine Base north of San Diego which  prompted evacuations of seve

30 US Landmarks At Risk Due to Climate Change (PHOTOS)

A report published by the Washington-based Union of Concerned Scientists has highlighted the potential ill effects of climate change to at least 30 historical landmarks in the U.S. Should the human-induced climate change continue to escalate, there might be no other way for America's newest and oldest landmarks but to topple and bow down to rising sea levels, floods and wildfires.

Global Markets Overview – 5/22/14

There was a lot of rejoicing at the Fed minutes; a one line synopsis of the release would read - the Fed continues to champion accommodation for the foreseeable futures.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 5/22/14

US FOMC minutes saw Fed members having a generally cautious outlook. The minutes made it clear that a number of members believe the unemployment rate alone does not fully capture the amount of slack in the labour market, while also claiming it was too early to confirm that the economy is moving to sustained above-trend growth.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/21/14

Despite predictions of a 0.6 per cent fall on our market today and a shaky start, local stocks managed to close flat. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) added 2.2 points or 0.04 per cent by the close to finish at 5403.9 points, supported by gains in energy stocks and defensive player Telstra (TLS).
A worker levels the iron ore in a freight train at a railway station at Chitradurga in the southern Indian state of Karnataka in this November 9, 2012 file photo. One of Indian prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi's main election planks is to crank up

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/21/14

Concerns of the impact a weaker iron ore price could have on the economy is pushing the sharemarket lower for the second time this week. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.7 per cent, taking the losses over the past three days to 1.8 per cent. A triple digit loss for the Dow Jones Index is adding fuel to the fire.

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