The Economy: Jobs Growth Soars, Putting Pressure On Rates
We saw more jobs than expected in June; 45,900 new ones were created, according to the ABS.
Read More
Industries: Building Changes Come As Industry Weakens
Australia’s multi-billion dollar building sector is facing significant change at a time when it has started contracting because of the slowing pace of activity in the home building sector.
Read MoreDeals: Minara’s Cash Back, Nuplex Says Not Talking To Orica
Shares in nickel miner Minara Resources jumped 7.5% yesterday after it said it would return $111 million of capital to shareholders because of its strong financial position.
Read MoreFunds: Credit Suisse’s $1.8 Billion QBE Stake
Credit Suisse, the Swiss investment bank and fund manager, has spent the best part of $200 million in around eight days, building its stake in QBE.
Read MoreFunds: Credit Suisse’s $1.8 Billion QBE Stake
Credit Suisse, the Swiss investment bank and fund manager, has spent the best part of $200 million in around eight days, building its stake in QBE.
Read MoreOffers: Sigma Gets Lowered Offer
As many in the market suspected, Sigma Pharmaceuticals’ putative South African suitor has tried a bit of cheese paring by slicing its proposed 60c a share offer 5c (or 8.25%) to 55c.
Read MoreThe Economy: RBA On Hold
As expected, no rate rise from the Reserve Bank yesterday and indeed, rates could be on hold for an indeterminate time if international worries about economic growth and financial stability continue.
Read MoreTrade: Surplus Soars In May
The other side of the current economic paradox, referred to in yesterday’s story on car sales, was shown in the May trade figures, which were, in short, sensational.
Read MoreThe Market: Big Float Pulled As Weakness Dominates
It was hardly the most ringing endorsement for the outlook for the Australian sharemarket.
Read MoreCorporates: Macarthur Coal, Sigma
Macarthur Coal yesterday raised its full-year profit forecast by about 10% after revealing a late surge in exports in the year to June 30.
Read MoreBuilding: Boral’s Revamp, Fund Raising
Building materials group, Boral, aims to raise about $490 million to fund investments, reduce debt and pay for asset write-downs as it restructures the company under a new CEO.
Read MoreAssets: CSR Sells To Singapore
CSR has sidestepped a political touchy deal with a big Chinese food group and plumped for a Singaporean company as the buyer of its sugar and ethanol business for $1.75 billion.
Read MoreCar Sales: At Record Levels In June
Once again the core paradox on the consumption side of the Australian economy has been underlined.
Read MoreThe Economy: Jobs Growth Solid, Newspapers Irrelevant As The Net Booms
If you looked at yesterday’s ANZ job ads figures for June, there’s only one conclusion: the analogue world of newspapers, such as those owned by News Ltd, Fairfax Media, APN and West Australian Newspapers, is well and truly dead insofar as job advertising and associated classified ads are concerned.
Read MoreDeals: Thailand’s Banpu’s Rich Bid For Centennial Coal
It has probably been the most widely expected bid in the market, but that didn’t stop Thai-based group, Banpu, producing a surprise in its offer for Centennial Coal, the medium-sized NSW producer, yesterday.
Read MoreSuperannuation: Reforms On The Way?
Forget the argument over the resource tax, the debate over company tax cuts and the higher superannuation contributions, the most important policy change from the current Labour Government in Canberra could be what it does with the recommendation of the so-called Cooper Review, which examined Australia’s system of providing superannuation and found it wanting.
Read MoreMarkets: A Rotten Week, This Week?
A nasty week that hopefully is not going to be a precursor of more to come.
Read MoreEconomies: Growth Fears; India Boosts Rates
The US, Europe, China and Japan might be slowing, but India is booming, too much so it seems after Friday’s unexpected interest rate rise.
Read MoreDIARY: Rates Here, Europe And UK, Jobs Here, Japan Poll
The Reserve Bank won’t touch rates tomorrow.
Read MoreNews: No One Knows Impact Of New Mining Tax, Yet
Friday’s close on the sharemarket was probably the best immediate reaction to the new mining tax deal announced earlier in the day.
Read MoreCommodities: Gold’s Sharp Reminder
One day’s fall doesn’t usually mean much, but last Thursday’s $US40 plunge in gold prices has worried a lot of people.
Read MoreRetailing-Building Numbers Weak
Mixed messages from May’s retail sales and building approvals.
Read MoreMetcash Makes The Last Big Supermarket Play
Depending on your point of view, Australian retailing has lost or gained a competitive force with the South African-controlled Franklins chain selling out to the formerly South African-owned Metcash.
Read MoreThe US Outlook
Dave Rosenberg is one of North America’s better known economists. He works for the Canadian wealth management firm. Gluskin Sheff and Associates and writes an entertaining daily email.
Read MoreCorporates: AGL, Hastie, Asciano, Leighton
AGL Energy Ltd has gone on the takeover trail with a surprise play for small oil and gas explorer Mosaic Oil NL.
Read MoreHappy New Year
The June quarter has made a complete mess of market returns here and offshore.
Read MoreRio Buys More Ivanhoe
Rio Tinto has moved to cement its control of Ivanhoe Mines of Canada and the huge Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia.
Read MoreHousing’s Mixed News
Mixed news on the housing front yesterday with Reserve Bank figures showing lending for May was solid, but new home sales fell sharply.
Read MoreChina Cuts Aluminium Output As Markets Slide Continues
With renewed worries about the Chinese economy, here’s some news that will add to those concerns.
Read MoreAusenco’s New Losses
Mining service provider, Ausenco Ltd, says it will take a $6.8 million after-tax, non-cash impairment charge in its half year accounts, following a review of its energy business.
Read MoreCorporates: Tatts, Macmahon
Gambling group, Tatts Group Ltd, has revealed $165 million in write-downs and impairment charges on assets in Britain and NSW to be taken in the June 30, 2010 annual result and accounts.
Read MoreMacquarie, Downer EDI Worry Investors
A tale of two companies on the nose, it seems with the market: Downer EDI and Macquarie Group.
Read MoreCampbell’s Sturdy Profit Upgrade
Shares in Brisbane-based mining testing group, Campbell Brothers, jumped sharply yesterday after the group revealed a solid profit forecast for the 2010-11 financial year.
Read MoreJapan Slowing; Markets Take Fright At China, Banks
More signs yesterday that Japan’s economy is not growing as strongly as previously thought.
Read MoreGroup Of 20: A Rubbish Agreement
Ignore anything you may read or hear about new policies, breakthroughs or agreements emanating from the Group of 20 nations in Canada.
Read MoreGBG Looks To Use Iron Ore Income To Diversify
Gindalbie Metals Ltd says its flagship Karara iron ore project in Western Australia’s midwest region (near Geraldton) will generate about $1 billion in annual export revenues, and that will help it start looking off shore, and at other minerals to diversify from its dependence on iron ore..
Read MoreWattyl Says Yes To US Bid
Good bye Wattyl, hello Valspar.
Read MorePhoton’s Depressing Update
Photon Group likes to describe itself as "Australia’s largest marketing and communications group"; yesterday it confirmed in an update on its trading performance and capital structure, that it is one of the weakest companies on the ASX, with debts significantly outweighing its $191 million market value, and over $160 million in deferred payments still owing.
Read MoreJapan: Retail Sales Slow, As Does Deflation
Mixed economic news from Japan yesterday.
Read More
