BUSINESS

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/7/14

The Australian sharemarket is recording its most substantial losses in close to a month, with a weak lead from the U.S. last night and worse than expected local data not helping. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 1 per cent and is flirting with the key 5400pt mark.
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Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/6/14

Tuesday's session saw a tussle between buyers and sellers, albeit it was an exchange that took place with the index occupying positive territory over the session. Volumes were conspicuously low with only $3.3bln in shares having changed hands. As the session drew to a close the ASX 200 found some comfort in the RBA statement that accompanied its decision to leave rates on hold, although the substance of the text varied little in the last month. The Reserve Bank left the official cash rate on ...

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/6/14

The Australian sharemarket is improving for the third consecutive day, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) up 0.3 per cent. The market is treading water ahead of the Reserve Bank's monetary policy meeting this afternoon. Economists are widely expecting the RBA to keep interest rates on hold this month.

Global Markets Overview – 5/6/14

With Japan still closed for public holidays by observing Greenery Day, Australia's May data day will be the biggest market macro news on the boards.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 5/6/14

In US economic data, the ISM services index rose from 53.1 to an 8-month high of 55.2 in April, and above forecasts for a result near 54.1. The employment trends report rose from 117.5 to 118.0 in April.

Etihad Offers Apartment on Air, Complete With Butler & Chef

Middle Eastern air carrier Etihad launched on Monday a new service in Abu Dhabi, The Residence, which offers a 11.6-square metre 3-room upper deck cabin on its Etihad A380 jet. It has a living room, separate double bedroom, ensuite shower room and even an academy-trained personal butler, travel concierge and chef.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 5/5/14

The Australian sharemarket has kicked off the trading week modestly higher, in what has been a very light day of trade for local stocks. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.1 per cent. Volume was light partly due to market closures in a number of major markets. A public holiday in Japan, South Korea and the U.K. will keep their markets closed today. U.S. equities failed to rise on Friday despite the most significant monthly jobs growth in over two years. Continued concerns surrounding Ukrai...
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Microsoft Buys New Zealand Start-up GreenButton to Boost Azure Platform

Microsoft Corporation has acquired Wellington-based start-up GreenButton. The company announced it has bought the successful New Zealand software start-up for an undisclosed amount. The Kiwi company specialises in high performance cloud computing. The acquisition will boost Microsoft's public cloud offering, Microsoft Azure. GreenButton has advanced technology solutions for running computer-intensive applications while on the cloud. The Kiwi start-ups customers include Boeing, NASA and Pixar ...

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/5/14

The ASX 200 has given up its early gains on Monday to be trading almost by 0.2% lower as investors focus on banking stocks. Westpac (WBC) shares have fallen more than 1% after having initially risen by 0.8%. The bank reported first-half cash earnings rising by 8 per cent to $3.77 billion in the face of tighter margins.

Global Markets Overview – 5/5/14

288,000 jobs were added to the US work force in the month of April - the largest print since June 2010. This saw the unemployment rate fall below the 6.5% threshold to 6.3% for the first time since October 2009.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 5/5/14

In US economic data, non-farm payrolls (employment) rose by 288,000 in April, the best gain since January 2012 and well above forecasts for a gain of 210,000. The unemployment rate fell from 6.7% to a 5-1/2 year low of 6.3%. But less people looked for work with the participation rate falling from 63.2% to 62.8%. Factory orders rose by 1.1% in March.

eBay Stocks Steady Despite Strong Q1 Sales

American online shopping store eBay is faced with steady stocks despite the release of its strong first quarter report on Tuesday as investors take into consideration the company's marketplace and second quarter guidance.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 5/2/14

A flat open for the ASX 200 has gave way to selling in the early part of trade on Friday. US markets finished on a cautious note as investors ruminate on the outcome of the US jobs report which will be released later this evening local time. Most sectors were in the red, although financials were conspicuous with their decline.

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