POLITICS & POLICY

Global Markets Overview - 07/13/2012

The S&P 500 fell Thursday, extending the longest slump for the broader market in nearly two months as investors weighed concerns about corporate earnings and a global economic slowdown. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index dropped 6.69 points, or 0.5%, to 1334.76. Technology and financial shares led declines, while defensive sectors such as healthcare and utilities rose.

Myer Retail Stores Slash Down 100 Jobs

A double whammy of falling revenue and rising costs have ultimately forced Australia's largest department store operator Myer to slash 100 jobs from a total of 13,000 manned staff, chief executive Bernie Brookes announced on Thursday afternoon.
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Aussie Dollar Skids as Australia’s Jobless Marginally Rises to 5.2% in June

Australia's unemployed has grown by 0.1 percentage points to 5.2% in June, as the number of people with jobs declined by 27,000 to 11,500,500 in the sixth month of the year, latest figures released Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed.The Australian dollar, at 1200 AEST, dropped at 101.93 US cents immediately after the figures were released.

Global Markets Overview - 07/12/2012

Investors pared most of their losses in late trading, but still handed the Dow Jones Industrial Average its fifth straight loss after the minutes of the Federal Reserve's June policy meeting showed few signs that central bankers were moving towards further action. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 48.59 points, or 0.38%, at 12604.53, after falling as many as 119 points in intraday trading.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 07/12/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is slightly stronger this morning, currently trading at USD1.0250, as investors digest the US Fed Minutes and news that Spain has added additional deficit-reduction measures.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 7/11/2012

The Australian sharemarket is losing ground for the fifth straight day, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down 0.2 pct or 9.9 pts to 4128. Despite the falls, the last week and a half has been extremely quiet on markets, so the losses cannot be taken too seriously.

Carbon Tax to Add 0.7% to Inflation Rate

On the second week of the implementation of the carbon tax, Treasurer Wayne Swan said the $23 per tonne carbon price is now a reality which Australians would have to judge its impact on their lives.

Global Markets Overview - 07/11/2012

Worries from the tech and industrial sectors and an underwhelming earnings report from bellwether Alcoa sent stocks tumbling Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 83.17 points, or 0.7%, to 12653.12, while the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index fell 10.99 points, or 0.8%, to 1341.47.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 07/11/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar has opened fairly unchanged this morning after trading to a high of USD1.0245 overnight during the European session.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 7/10/2012

It was yet another extremely quiet session on the Australian sharemarket today, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down 0.5 pct or 21.9 pts to 4137.9. This did not come as a huge surprise due to the falls on most global markets overnight and the lack of interest in shares in Europe and the U.S.

WGC Pares Forecast of Chinese Gold Demand for 2012

Noting the financial crisis that continues to hit and stall the eurozone, the World Gold Council (WGC) said it expects gold demand from China to pare from the 1,000 metric tonnes it earlier predicted in May to just about 870 metric tonnes overall for 2012.

Australia Signs BPO Deals with India’s SBS

Australia has signed two business deals with Sundaram Business Services (SBS), the business process outsourcing arm of Sundaram Finance Ltd., which will aid the latter's expansion plans in the Asian nation.

Global Markets Overview - 07/10/2012

Nervousness about Europe's debt crisis, an economic slowdown in China and the onset of domestic earnings season pushed U.S. stocks lower for a third-straight day Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 36.18 points, or 0.3%, to 12736.29. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index gave up 2.22 points, or 0.2%, to 1352.46.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 07/10/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar continues to hover around the USD1.0200 level, despite weaker offshore equity markets and continued concerns about the European recovery.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 7/9/2012

It was a less than ideal start to the new trading week, with shares losing ground for the third consecutive session. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 0.9 pct or 39.2 pts to 4159.8. Today was also around 20 pct quieter than last Monday. It is important to note that last week was one of the quietest so far in 2012.

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