Today's Business Headlines

Record year puts pressure on BHP to lift dividend
BHP Billiton is facing growing investor calls to lift its dividend payout as the mining giant prepares to set a new earnings record for an australian company with a full year profit at $15.4 billion. The Fin Review

Palmer plans takeover to build $18b resources titan
Iron ore billionaire Clive Palmer is poised to laucnh a takeover bid for his Perth offshoot, Australian Resources as part of an $18 billion dream to build an Australian resources giant listed on the Hong Kong bourse. The West

Inflation spikes on fuel, credit costs
Spiralling fuel prices and mortgage repayments have helped push inflation to its highest point in 13 years. The Fin Review

Shifting sentiment drives banks
A global shift in sentiment towards banks has put a rocket under the Australian share market as investors react to better-than-expected earnings in the battered financial services sector. The Australian

Macquarie challenged on funds as big asset write-downs looms
Macquarie Group will consider privatising its listed infrastructure funds if their performamce does not improve. The West

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

Business: Iron ore billionaire Clive Palmer is poised to laucnh a takeover bid for his Perth offshoot, Australian Resources as part of an $18 billion dream to build an Australian resources giant listed on the Hong Kong bourse.

Ian Trahar's carbon credit company, CO2 Group, has launched a takeover bid for the unlisted Oil Mallee Company of Australia, in which it already is the biggest shareholder.

Macquarie Group will consider privatising its listed infrastructure funds if their performamce does not improve.