Calvin Klein buys Tommy Hilfiger brand
The company behind Calvin Klein has bought fellow US fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger for E2.2 billion $A3.3 billion- Hilfiger's current owner said on Monday. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:40pm
Toyota Outlines Motor-sports Activities for 2010 Grass-roots Motor-sports Activities to be Enhanced
Tokyo- Mar 15- 2010 - JCN Newswire - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION TMC- which views motor sports as an ideal medium for conveying the dreams and excitement associated with motor vehicles- announces that it will continue to promote motor-sports activities as a key means of bringing more joy to people through automobiles. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:28pm
NEC WiMAX System Launched in Taiwan- Tatung InfoComm Begins Commercial Service
Tokyo- Mar 15- 2010 - ACN Newswire - NEC Corporation NEC TSE- 6701- a leading network- communications and information technology company- announced today that Tatung InfoComm Co.- Ltd. Tatung1 launched commercial WiMAX services in Taiwan utilizing WiMAX system deployed by NEC. These new commercial services were launched in Taiwans southern prefecture of Pingdong and the eastern coastal prefecture of Hualian. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:14pm
NEC Asia Wins IT Managed Services Contract for Resorts World Sentosa
Singapore- Mar 15- 2010 - ACN Newswire - NEC Asia- a leading IT and network solutions provider and systems integrator based in Singapore- and a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation HQ- Japan- has been awarded a contract to provide IT managed service support to Resorts World SentosaRWS- Asias first integrated family resort destination. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:11pm
Petrol prices to keep rising
The average price of petrol across Australia has risen 2.3 cents over the past week to 128.3 cents a litre. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 08:35pm
Thomson Launches 7500 New Indices
New York- Mar 15- 2010 - ACN Newswire - Thomson today launched 7500 new equity sector-level indices covering a broad range of regions and sectors unique to Thomson. These include full lines of Emerging Market and Asia Pacific sector indices in addition to the first line ofIberian sector and NAFTA sector indices- as well as indices for new and relevant sectors such as Water- Renewables- and Diversified Media. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 07:13pm
Establishment of CHAdeMO Association
Tokyo- Mar 15- 2010 - JCN Newswire - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Toyota- NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY Nissan- MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION Mitsubishi Motors- FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES Ltd. Fuji Heavy Industries- and THE TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY- INC.TEPCO- have formally established -amp quotCHAdeMO Association -amp quot under the resolution of its general assembly held today. The five companies above have become its executive members. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 07:12pm
Budget back in surplus early- report
Speculation the Henry Tax Review will be handed down on the same day as the May 11 budget is unlikely- if a leading investment bank's research proves correct. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 07:10pm
Suncorp says Vic storms to cost $200m
Insurer Suncorp-Metway says claim costs from the recent storms in Victoria will reach $200 million. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 06:32pm
Combined cinema and TV ads work better
The combination of cinema and television advertising is 36 per cent more likely to get consumers to buy than TV ads alone- a report suggests. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:59pm
Fixed loans fall again- RBA might pause
Weak lending finance is evidence of an economy slowing- after the government stimulus has worn off- and could avert an April interest rate rise- economists say. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:51pm
Trucks forced to left-hand lane to cut congestion
The Queensland Government says trucks could be limited to the left-hand lanes of many of the states highways if a trial on Brisbanes southside reduces traffic congestion. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:47pm
Australia's gender wage gap 'costs $93b'
The gender wage gap costs Australia $93 billion a year in productivity- and 60 per cent of the disparity comes down simply to -amp quotbeing a woman -amp quot- a report shows. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:45pm
Market reverses earlier gains to finish lower
The Australian share market reversed early gains to finish more than half a per cent lower- on fears Chinas expected policy tightening would reduce demand for Australian resources. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:42pm
Air Asia still awaiting OK for Sydney-KL
Low-cost carrier Air Asia remains committed to starting Sydney-Kuala Lumpur services on July 1- despite a frustrating wait for Malaysian government approval. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:35pm
Trucks forced to left-hand lane to cut congestion
The Queensland Government says trucks could be limited to the left-hand lanes of many of the states highways if a trial on Brisbanes southside reduces traffic congestion. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:29pm
Rudd wont release insulation correspondence
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has refused to bow to Opposition demands to release correspondence he received from Environment Minister Peter Garrett last year about the failed home insulation program. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:24pm
Australia shares fall 0.7 pct on China policy fears
SYDNEY- March 15 - Australian stocks fell 0.7 percent on Monday- to their lowest level in more than a week- on concerns that Chinas expected liquidity tightening could cool growth and reduce demand for Australian resources. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:11pm
Air Asia still awaiting OK for Sydney-KL
Low-cost carrier Air Asia remains committed to starting Sydney-Kuala Lumpur services on July 1- despite a frustrating wait for Malaysian government approval. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 05:10pm
Car industry weathers GFC better than US
The Australian car industry weathered the financial crisis better than in the US because of the government stimulus and low interest rates- a report shows. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 04:46pm
Avoca bid for rest of Frog mine rejected
Avoca Resources has tried to acquire the rest of the Frog's Leg mine in Western Australia from its Canadian joint venture partner- but has been rebuffed. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 04:35pm
Australia dlr drifts off highs- underpinned by rates
Market awaiting RBA policy minutes for guidance on rates ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 04:33pm
Australia shares fall 0.7 pct on China policy fears
SYDNEY- March 15 - Australian stocks fell 0.7 percent on Monday- to their lowest level in more than a week- on concerns that Chinas expected policy tightening would cool growth and reduce demand for Australian resources. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 04:29pm
Car industry weathers GFC better than US
The Australian car industry weathered the financial crisis better than in the US because of the government stimulus and low interest rates- a report shows. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 04:27pm
Aboriginal artefacts could move bypass
Tasmanias Department of Infrastructure is considering re-routing the Brighton bypass around an aboriginal heritage site. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:56pm
Base metal to surpass gold- economist
Prices for aluminium- copper- nickel- lead and zinc will rise faster than gold this year as demand from emerging economies increases- a leading economist says. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:49pm
Fixed loans fall again- RBA might pause
Weak lending finance is evidence of an economy slowing- after the government stimulus has worn off- and could avert an April interest rate rise- economists say. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:44pm
Woolworths pleased with telco progress
Supermarket giant Woolworths says its foray into the telecommunications market is proving successful- with parents and kids looking for non-nonsense plans. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:30pm
Market blamed for Chinalco-Rio failure
China is blaming market forces and a campaign by BHP Billiton Ltd for the failure of its planned $A21.24 billion investment in Rio Tinto Ltd last year. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:25pm
Ex-Macquarie adviser Chan facing court
A former Macquarie Equities senior client adviser is to face the Supreme Court of Victoria charged with market manipulation. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:22pm
iSOFT Group ASX-ISF Boosts Telehealth Strategy With Medic4all Partnership
Sydney- Australia- Mar 15- 2010 - ABN Newswire - iSOFT Group Limited ASX-ISF - Australias largest listed health information technology company today announced an agreement with Switzerland-based Medic4all that will significantly boost iSOFTs ability to deliver solutions that satisfy the growing demand for the delivery and monitoring of healthcare outside the traditional hospital environment. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:14pm
Woolworths pleased with telco progress
Supermarket giant Woolworths says its foray into the telecommunications market is proving successful- with parents and kids looking for non-nonsense plans. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:12pm
Broadband test centre opened
The first three retail service providers for the National Broadband Newtwork in Tasmania have been announced today. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:12pm
New Zealand dollar a shade higher on risk buying
Kiwi holds above $0.70- risk appetite solid ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 03:11pm
Unions oppose QR sale after Resources Council meeting
The mining sector says it hopes the State Government will change its mind about how to sell parts of Queensland Rail QR. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 02:49pm
RBA a 'reluctant regulator' of card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is a -amp quotreluctant regulator -amp quot of credit cards while leaving the door open to force providers to reduce interchange fees. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 02:45pm
Gold price to remain around $US1-110-oz
The gold price will remain static- around the historically high $US1-100 per ounce mark- despite the US dollar strengthening- a major global gold producer says. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 02:41pm
RBA a 'reluctant regulator' of card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is a -amp quotreluctant regulator -amp quot of credit cards while leaving the door open to force providers to reduce interchange fees. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 02:10pm
Calls repeated for tax review release
The federal opposition has again demanded the government immediately release the much awaited Henry Tax Review to allow for public debate on tax reform. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:41pm
Asian Markets Overview of March 15- 2010
Sydney- Australia- Mar 15- 2010 - ABN Newswire - Asian shares received mixed lead from Wall Street. Friday the US market closed flat after better-than-expected US retail sales and slightly lower consumer sentiment data. Meanwhile- financial shares erased some of their gains after rallies last week. Asian markets also closed mixed Friday. Japans Nikkei was 0.8 per cent higher- led by Japanese exporters. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:41pm
RBA reluctant to regulate credit card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is undecided on whether direct regulation or increased competition is needed to reduce the transaction fees that credit card companies charge. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:27pm
RBA ponders regulation of credit card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is undecided on whether direct regulation or increased competition is needed to reduce the transaction fees that credit card companies charge. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:23pm
Gold price to remain around $US1-110-oz
The gold price will remain static- around the historically high $US1-100 per ounce mark- despite the US dollar strengthening- a major global gold producer says. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:13pm
Broadband test centre opened
The first three retail service providers for the National Broadband Newtwork in Tasmania have been announced today. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 01:13pm
Little support so far for lower drink-driving limits
The Queensland Government is pressing ahead with community consultation on reducing the drink-driving blood-alcohol limit to 0.02- despite widespread opposition to the plan. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 12:47pm
Little support so far for lower drink-driving limits
The Queensland Government is pressing ahead with community consultation on reducing the drink-driving blood-alcohol limit to 0.02- despite widespread opposition to the plan. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 12:30pm
Australia dlr sits on recent gains- bonds roll over
Aussie also supported by expectations minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australias RBA March policy meeting will reiterate the need for more rate hikes this year AU-INT. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 12:23pm
Little support so far for lower drink-driving limits
The Queensland Government is pressing ahead with community consultation on reducing the drink-driving blood-alcohol limit to 0.02- despite widespread opposition to the plan. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 12:22pm
Metallica Minerals Limited ASX-MLM Commences First Drilling on Newly Acquired Greenvale Nickel Project
Brisbane- Australia- Mar 15- 2010 - ABN Newswire - Metallica Minerals Limited ASX-MLM is pleased to announce that the Companys maiden nickel-cobalt drilling program has commenced on the recently acquired Greenvale Mine Site located in the southern portion of Metallicas flagship NORNICO Ni-Co project northwest of Townsville in Queensland.The drilling schedule comprises 8-000 metres of Reverse Circulation RC for approximately 300 holes. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 12:21pm
RBA reluctant to regulate credit card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is undecided whether direct regulation- or increased competition is needed to reduce the transaction fees that credit card companies charge. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:58am
RBA reluctant to regulate credit card fees
The Reserve Bank says it is undecided whether direct regulation- or increased competition is needed to reduce the transaction fees that credit card companies charge. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:46am
Australia shares climb iron ore- coal miners lead
MELBOURNE- March 15 - Australian stocks rose on Monday- propelled by coal and iron ore miners on growing hopes for strong settlements on contract prices for the year beginning in April. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:37am
RAMS teams up with Residex
Mortgage provider RAMS Home Loans has joined with real estate data provider Residex to give property investors access to residential sales information. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:36am
Cape Lambert off-loads Lady Annie mine
An exploration company has sold its copper mine in north-west Queensland less than a year after it purchased the operation. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 11:29am
Victory West Moly Ltd ASX-VWM Significant Increase In Prospective Molybdenum Contact Zone In Indonesia
Perth- Australia- Mar 15- 2010 - ABN Newswire - Victory West Moly Ltd ASX-VWM is pleased to announce the completion of a detailed- three-dimensional- double-offset dipole-dipole Induced Polarisation IP geophysical survey the -amp quotIP Survey -amp quot over the Anomaly B prospect area.Anomaly B is located within the PT Inti Cemerlang concession- part of five concessions forming the Companys Malala Molybdenum Project- Sulawesi- Indonesia. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:55am
Market blamed for Chinalco-Rio failure
China is blaming market forces and a campaign by BHP Billiton Ltd for the failure of its planned $A21.24 billion investment in Rio Tinto Ltd last year. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:41am
New Zealand dlr holds gains vs US $ well supported
Kiwi NZDD4 around $0.7030-32- compared with opening around $0.7039-47 and $0.7000 late on Friday. Kiwi seen well supported around $0.6976- having survived last weeks downside tests. Resistance seen around $0.7050. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:35am
LNG in trading halt
Shares in Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd LNG are in a trading halt ahead of an announcement on the proposed sale of the Fisherman's Landing project. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:32am
Texon Petroleum Ltd ASX-TXN Update on High Productivity Olmos and Eagle Ford Wells
Brisbane- Australia- Mar 15- 2010 - ABN Newswire - Texon Petroleum Ltd ASX-TXN has a 70-100 WI in 4-500 acres of leases over its Leighton-Mosman-Rockingham projects- where there are two reservoir targets. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:31am
Australia shares flat on lack of cues from overseas
SYDNEY- March 15 - Australian stocks opened little changed on Monday with investors pausing after five weeks of gains and lack of guidance from U.S. equity markets- which closed broadly flat on Friday ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:23am
Failed builder has history of insolvency
New details have emerged that show a bankrupt Alice Springs builder has a record of owing money to creditors interstate. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 10:19am
Molopo seeks $60m new equity
Oil and gas company Molopo Energy Ltd is seeking $60 million in new equity to accelerate its exploration and development programs. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:46am
Timber workers want support for FEA
Timber workers have criticised the Tasmanian Government for failing to prop up ailing timber company Forest Enterprises Australia FEA. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:46am
PNG LNG proceeds to full execution
Oil Search Ltd says the massive Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas project PNG LNG has reached financial close and the project now is proceeding in full. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 09:35am
1 million roofs need safety check- Opposition
The Federal Opposition is calling on the Government to pay for a safety inspection for every one of the more than 1 million homes that have been insulated under the bungled Commonwealth scheme. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 08:29am
Commodities- Gold Surprises With Big Fall
After rallying nearly $US100 in two months- gold gave up some of those -amp 160 gains last week- taking many investors in the metal -amp 160by surprise -amp 160Gold briefly dropped below $US1-100 an ounce on Friday- ending the week $US30 weaker as investors unwound positions.That was despite a weak end to the day for the US dollar. Oil also resisted the greenbacks weakness.It seems jitters about the still firm value of the US dollar are starting to impact short-term sentiment.Speculation about further monetary tightening by China and sovereign debt worries out of Europe prompted heavy futures liquidation last week.But worries about Greece might be about to -amp 160ease for the time being with reports of some sort of eurozone agreement to support the countrys debt.And the re-emergence of a more confident tone last week in major stockmarkets also pushed some traders out of gold and back into equities.Spot gold finished around -amp 160 $US1-101.60 an ounce -amp 160in late New York trading Friday- down from the -amp 160 $US1-109.30 late in -amp 160on Thursday.Comex -amp 160April gold futures settled down $US6.50 at $US1-101.70 an ounce.After rising almost $US20 the week before- -amp 160gold was sold off last week as major sharemarkets strengthened and the surge in Chinese inflation took the market by surprise and brought fears of a rate rise.Speculators had been increasing their net long position in gold for four straight weeks up 14 in four weeks- but there were signs of a sell off Thursday and Friday.That could have been behind the biggest -amp 160weekly loss in seven weeks for the metal.Gold lost 3 in value last week- the biggest fall since late January.Golds all time high was -amp 160 $US1-227.50 an ounce on December 3 last year.Not helping was the better tone to official economic figures coming out of the US retail sales up in February- instead of the expected fall and a surge in industrial production in Europe in January and Decembers big drop was revised to a solid rise.Weak consumer US confidence figures had some impact-on oil and equities for example-but not gold.The Feds meeting this week is not expected to produce any significant changes in current US monetary policy.China though remains the worry with a rate rise expected there in the next few months.Comex May silver futures -amp 160fell 11.2 cents- or 0.7- to $US17.048 an ounce- 1.9 for the week.Oil futures fell -amp 160Friday after the weak US consumer confidence data- but sugar prices managed a small recovery after their pounding earlier in the -amp 160week.Nymex April West Texas Intermediate lost 87c at $US81.24 a barrel- down half a per cent- while ICE April Brent lost 89c at $US79.39 a barrel- down 0.7 this week.The fall came despite the -amp 160International Energy Agency revising -amp 160up its global demand forecasts for both last year and -amp 1602010 by 70-000 barrels a day.The IEA now expects global oil demand to reach 86.6m b-d this year- an increase of 1.8 or 1.6m b-d versus 2009.Global demand in 2009 was revised up to 85.0m b-d- a fall of 1.4- or 1.2m b-d- compared with the previous year.The IEA said Asia alone would provide more than half of global oil demand growth this year with China accounting for almost two-thirds of that increased demand from the region.The IEA warned that demand for oil- a strong indicator of economic activity- would not recover in advanced economies overall this year- but projected an -amp quotastonishing -amp quot growth trend of 28 in China.Wheat rose Friday in Chicago for the -amp 160first time in four days after the US dollar weakened.May wheat futures On the Chicago Board of Trade -amp 160rose 6.5c- or 1.4- to $US4.8525 a bushel.The grain fell 1.7 last -amp 160week- after falling 5 the previous week. Its down 10 so far this year.Not even news that up to 13 of the -amp 160Ukraines winter grain crop was damaged by cold weather could boost sentiment.A big influence last week was the estimate from the US Department of Agriculture USDA that Americas -amp 160domestic inventories could hit their highest level in 22 years.The Departments latest grain forecast said wheat stocks in the US -amp 160will rise to 1.001 billion bushels 27.2 million tonnes in the 12 months ending May 31- the most since 1988.Sugars small recovery on Friday saw it finish up 0.4 of a cent at 19.67 US cents.That was welcome relief for the sell off earlier in the week after another report suggesting an -amp 160improving outlook for Indias production this season.India is the worlds second-largest sugar producer and biggest global consumer so changes in its supply and demand needs drive the global sugar market.Both India and Pakistan postponed buying tenders last week- which led to more weakness on prices.Over the week- -amp 160raw sugar fell 11.8- while -amp 160white sugar dropped 11. It is the worst performing commodity this year and is off around 30.Copper fell 0.7 in London to -amp 160 $US7-490 a tonne which -amp 160Chinese buyers -amp 160all but absent from the market.The copper market ignored news of another big aftershock in Chile on Thursday.Chinas copper imports rose 10 in February from January- despite the Lunar New Year holiday.Imports of copper and products totalled 322-282 tonnes. -amp 160Thats still down 2 on a year ago. Copper prices have risen 15 in the past month. -amp 160 ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 08:27am
Indonesia Upgraded
Indonesia was confirmed as the best placed south Asian economy in the wake of the global recession with another ratings agency upgrade to -amp 160its credit standing on Friday.Standard -amp 38 Poors raised Indonesias credit rating on Friday as the countrys central bank boosted 2010 growth forecasts for a second time this year.S -amp 38P lifted its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to BB from BB- bringing Jakarta up from level with the Philippines to on a par with Turkey.It was more good news for the country in a week when the President- Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had successful state visit to Australia when he -amp 160became only the fifth foreign politician to address a joint session of both houses of the Australian parliament.The final upgrade from the worlds three major ratings groups confirmed that Indonesia missed being mauled by the global recession that took its toll in other emerging and developed economies.Economic growth last year topped 4 and the central bank last week boosted its 2010 growth forecast for a second time this year to the range of 6-6.5. -amp 160It is the first upgrade of Indonesia in four years and took the rating to its highest level since 1998.For Australian companies doing business- its good news- especially for banks like the ANZ and Commonwealth- which have growing interests in the Indonesian financial sector.Other major ratings group- Fitch and Moodys- have also upgraded Indonesia in recent months.Indonesias economy and currency were among the best performing in the world in 2009. The Jakarta stock index jumped 87- while the rupiah rose more than 15.Sri Mulyani Indrawati- Indonesias finance minister and the chief architect of recent financial reforms- was quoted by newsagencies last week as sating she hoped the country would earn an investment grade rating from Moodys within a year- which would require a move up of one more notch.S -amp 38Ps move was a sign of confidence as reformers face political attacks by opponents over the $715m bail out of the small lender- Bank Century- which has sparked infighting within the Government and police.S -amp 38P said it thought -amp quotthe political pressures experienced by the administration will prove to be only a temporary distraction from implementing its fiscal- administrative- and structural reform agenda -amp quot.S -amp 38P also affirmed its BB long-term local currency rating and B short-term foreign and local currency rating. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 08:24am
DIARY- Fed Meeting To Dominate
The US Federal Reserve has a one day meeting this week at which interest rates will be the only topic of real interest. -amp 160But investors and others should keep an eye out for the Feds comments in its post meeting statement on the end of its huge support programs for the US Government- especially its $US1.2 trillion worth of purchases of mortgage backed securities which has kept the stricken US housing sector alive for more than 18 months.The Fed has said it will end these purchases at the end of this month.No one what will happen to US home lending and interest rates from April onwards- it could crunch or carry on like it has been.The meeting will also be watched closely to see whether it softens its assessment that economic conditions will likely justify keeping rates low for an -amp quotextended period -amp quot.The Fed is expected to hold benchmark rates near zero and reiterate its pledge to keep them low for an -amp quotextended period. -amp quotThe AMPs Dr Shane Oliver said Friday that he doesnt -amp 160think it will make a change this time around- but a change in the wording to give it more flexibility is likely to come once employment starts to grow again.In fact some analysts reckon there could be a very big jump in March employment perhaps well over 100-000- perhaps even 200-000.They base this on the continually improving pace of activity- retail sales- production and the fact that the snows of February disguised what was happening in the US labour market.This upbeat view of the US economy will be further tested this week with figures on -amp 160industrial production- housing starts- a survey of home builders- consumer prices and a couple of manufacturing surveys -amp 160all due for release.Key economic reports on tap includes regional manufacturing for March- leading economic indicators for February- housing starts for February- the Producer Price Index and the Consumer Price Index- both for February- and weekly initial jobless claims.On Tuesday- housing starts for February are expected to fall to an annual rate of 570-000 units from 591-000 in January.Wednesdays Producer Price Index for February is expected to see a month-over-month dip of 0.2- compared with Januarys surprise rise of 1.4.On Thursday- the Consumer Price Index for February is forecast to gain 0.1- down from 0.2 in January.Core CPI- which omits volatile food and energy prices- is forecast to rise 1.4 in February- following a 1.6 rise in January.Investors should also watch -amp 160Washington- where Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd is expected to unveil his own -amp 160proposed legislation on -amp 160overhauling the countrys -amp 160financial regulation.Bipartisan Senate talks over reform collapsed last week. Not much hope is now given for US financial reforms this side of 2011.In Asia- the -amp 160Bank of Japans monetary policy meeting will be watched closely given recent signs that it might be preparing to step up the pace of quantitative easing.In Europe- earnings are expected from luxury products group- Bulgari- the big womens wear retailer- Inditex and Italian banking group- Unicredit. -amp 160Theres a -amp 160sentiment survey from Germany and in London- the Bank of England minutes.We might also get some sort of agreement to support Greece from a meeting of eurozone finance ministers today and tomorrow.In Australia- interest rates will remain a focus with a speech today -amp 160by the RBAs Malcolm Edey and the release tomorrow of the minutes from the last rate setting meeting. -amp 160 -amp 160The minutes will help us find out if the board though the decision was as finely balanced as in previous meetings- especially the February meeting where there was no rate move.David Jones reports its interim earnings on Thursday.After the reception given to Myers figures and outlook- the contrast with the normally more upbeat David Jones management will be fascinating.Another retail float from late 2009- Kathmandu Holdings- releases its first interim figures on Thursday as well. Like Myer- it was sold off by private equity interests.Australian Bureau of Statistics releases include lending finance figures today and December- December quarter -amp 160and 2009 home starts on Wednesday.Theres a number of annual meetings- Including -amp 160Stirling Resources Ltd- CFS Retail Property Trust- Commonwealth Property Office- -amp 160Queensland Mining Corp- Cloncurry Metals Ltd- Bounty Mining- Meridian Minerals- -amp 160 Modena Resources- Range Resources Ltd general meeting. -amp 160 ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 08:23am
Greece 'does not want money from EU'
Greece says it is looking for political rather than financial backing over its debt crisis. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 07:57am
Fierce debate expected at Fed policy meeting
WASHINGTON AFP - The US Federal Reserves policy makers are expected to maintain benchmark interest rates at virtually zero percent at their meeting this week amid intense debate on how soon the central bank should tighten monetary policy. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 07:45am
New Zealand dollar firmer on better risk appetite
Kiwi NZDD4 resumes around $0.7039-47- compared with about $0.7000 in late local trade on Friday. Kiwi seen supported around $0.6976 and resistance around $0.7050. ...
Mon 15th March 2010 - 06:51am
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