AAP

Business confidence slips before budget

13-May-2013

Business confidence has slipped four points in the month before the federal budget according to National Australia Bank's April survey of employers. The business confidence index fell to a reading of minus two.

Westfield Trust: shoppers still cautious

AAP

13-May-2013

Shopping centre owner Westfield Retail Trust (WRT) says consumer confidence is improving, but shoppers are still cautious and sales growth is still low. The company announced that rents for speciality stores in its shopping centres grew 2.4 per cent for the 12 months to March 31.

Shares open lower

AAP

13-May-2013

The Australian share market has opened lower. At 1011 AEST, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 8.7 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 5,197.4, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 7.00 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 5,184.1.

$300m in federal budget for jobseekers

AAP

13-May-2013

The federal government is spending $300 million to make it easier for people to work or study while they are on income support payments.

$A opens lower as traders buy US unit

AAP

13-May-2013

The Australian dollar is weaker after a weekend article in the Wall Street Journal convinced traders to snap up the US greenback.

Dow, S&P close at fresh all-time highs

AAP

13-May-2013

US stocks overcame a choppy day of trading om Friday and closed at fresh all-time highs as Group of Seven finance chiefs met in Britain to discuss economic challenges. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 35.87 (0.24 per cent) to 15,118.49, a new all-time closing high.

Stocks close higher

AAP

10-May-2013

The Australian share market has closed at levels not seen in almost five years as a weakening domestic currency boosted the big miners.

Courts involved in cricket TV rights

AAP

10-May-2013

The Nine Network will decide whether to match a $500 million offer for cricket television rights while being taken to court by Cricket Australia.

ANZ takes on NAB in rate race

AAP

10-May-2013

ANZ bank has stepped up home loan competition among the major banks, becoming the first in 16 years to cut interest rates by more than the central bank's move.