POLITICS & POLICY

Australian Dollar Outlook - 11/24/2011

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar is lower again this morning as investors continue to pour into the traditional "safehaven" of the USD.

Australia Stock Market Report - 11/24/2011

From Craig James, Commsec Chief EconomistMORNING REPORT (8am AEDT) US jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 393,000 in the last week. The 4-week moving average of claims which is a better gauge of labour market trends fell to the lowest levels since April. US consumer sentiment rose from 60.9 to 64.1 in November. The most improved aspect was that consumers anticipated healthier jobs growth.

Global Markets Overview - 11/24/2011

From Stan Shamu, Markets Strategist, IG MarketsGlobal markets extended their losses overnight on deepening concerns about the European debt crisis, after a poorly-received German debt sale. Germany failed to find buyers for 35% of the bonds it offered at an auction. There was also a swathe of disappointing economic data, with European services and manufacturing output shrinking for a third month, US durable goods orders falling and unemployment claims topping forecasts.
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UN Report Cites Alarming Rise of Greenhouse Gas Levels

Polar ice sheets have accelerated their retreat while global temperatures added up 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since the onset of frenetic industrial activities, prompting scientists to suggest that time may be running out to arrest the ill-effects of climate change.

Australia Seen Most Likely to Win Lawsuit vs Philip Morris

It seems that the Australian government will most likely win the legal battle filed against it by Philip Morris as experts predict they have the legal edge because intellectual property rights agreements give governments the right to pass laws to protect public health, reports said.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 11/23/2011

The Australian sharemarket is losing ground for the fourth straight day with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 0.7 pct or 29 pts to 4175.2. Almost all sectors are lower with the utilities managing to rise a touch at lunch.

Australia SMEs Dissatisfaction Rating on Government Jumps 56%

Aussie business owners' dissatisfaction with the Federal Government has soared to a three year high with the majority of Aussie SMEs (56%) now dissatisfied, up from 31% in August 2010. This is the highest dissatisfaction level recorded by the Business Monitor since June 2008, accprding to the latest research from the MYOB Business Monitor Special Report released on Wednesday.

Russian Steel Maker Eyes Australia's Flinders

Russia's third-largest steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) is eyeing to acquire Australian iron miner Flinders Mines in a bid to expand its iron ore mining operations to secure supplies and hedge against rising prices.

3 American Students Arrested in Cairo for Throwing Firebombs at Police

Three American exchange students are detained in Cairo for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at security forces from the roof of a university building near Tahrir Square, where thousands of protesters demanding a civilian government were clashing with riot police trying to disperse them.

Hastings Rare Earth Scoping Study Shows Potential of WA Mine

Australian miner Hastings Rare Metals' Heavy Rare Earth Project in Western Australia could rank as one of the world's top heavy rare earth projects after a scoping study underlined the project's massive rare earths content as well as potential economic returns for the company.

MRRT Wins House Approval, PM Gillard Upbeat on a Senate Victory

Following months of intense lobbying and backdoor concessions, Prime Minister Julia Gillard finally won the support of her House colleagues as the Parliament’s lower chamber voted on Wednesday morning to approve the Minerals Resource Rent Tax Bill 2011.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 11/23/2011

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar has fallen further and is trading at USD 0.9835 as persistent concerns about the Euro Zone's sovereign debt crisis create more uncertainty in global financial markets.

Australian Stock Market Report - 11/23/2011

From Craig James, Commsec Chief EconomistMORNING REPORT (8am AEDT) The second estimate of US GDP was revised down from 2.5pct to 2.0pct. The downward revision reflected a cut in inventories and lower investment spending. US ICSC chain store sales rose 2.8pct last week compared with a year ago. ICSC research expects same store sales to rise 3.5pct-4pct in November. The Richmond Fed manufacturing index improved from -6 to 0 in November.

Global Markets Overview -11/23/2011

From Stan Shamu, Market Strategist ( IG Markets)Global markets extended their losses overnight on concerns that European leaders are running out of options to solve the debt crisis. This sent French and Italian yields higher yet again. In the US, market weakness was triggered by slower-than-expected GDP data in the third quarter. The revised number came in at 2% after an initial estimate of 2.5%. However, losses were pared on news that the Federal Reserve and International Monetary Fund may...

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 11/22/2011

The Australian sharemarket unfortunately fell for the third straight day today with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 0.7 pct or 29.4 pts to 4204.2. Although today was not an ideal session, keep in mind that shares in the U.S fell by over 2 pct while the European markets fell by as much as 3.5 pct.

Report: House Approval Almost Certain for PM Gillard’s MRRT

Barring any more glitches, Prime Minister Julia Gillard is virtually assured of sailing her proposed minerals resource rent tax (MRRT) though the Parliament’s lower chamber this week, paving the way for a near-certain approval by the Senate early next year.

51% of Aussies Support Mining Tax

The mining tax proposal of the Labor government, set to be voted on likely by Wednesday, appears to be a more popular measure than the proposed lifting of uranium exports to India.

Deposits of 4 Large Australian Banks Grow 11%

Australian banks are no longer relying heavily on the wholesale funding markets. Instead it has turned to the retail deposit for low interest rates since the start of the global financial crisis.

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