Business

April rates on hold: economists

THE Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is likely to spare borrowers an interest rate rise in April due to uncertainty surrounding the housing lending figures.

Regional girls have dollars and sense

Creditors are unlikely to recoup the millions of dollars owed to them by a failed Maryborough caravan company.

REGIONAL women can celebrate stronger money relationships than their Brisbane counterparts, according to findings from Westpac Bank’s Women and Money Survey.

NAB releases results in new format

NATIONAL Australia Bank Ltd has released financial information for the past two fiscal years in the format that it will use in future.

Investment in China up 1.1%

The Great Wall of China is a moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

FOREIGN direct investment in China rose at its slowest rate in seven months in February, the Commerce Ministry reported on Monday.

Fixed loans fall again

NEW data showing weak lending finance is evidence of an economy slowing after the government stimulus has worn off, experts says.

Aussie billionaire adds to fortune

AUSTRALIA'S secret billionaire has added $US500 million to her fortune in 12 months.

Woolworths pleased with telco

SUPERMARKET giant Woolworths Ltd says its foray into the telecommunications market is proving successful with parents and kids looking for non-nonsense plans.

Green light on Black & Decker deal

SHAREHOLDERS have approved a nearly $US3.5 billion ($A3.82 billion) stock buyout, clearing the final hurdle for Stanley Works to acquire Black m Decker.

BMW posts poor 2009 results

GERMAN luxury car maker BMW on reported a 36.4 per cent drop in 2009 net profit but also issued an upbeat 2010 forecast.

Obama spruiks Australia-US ties

US President Barack Obama is keen to push stronger business and economic ties between America and Australia during his visit Down Under.

Credit, debit card transaction fall 22%

THE total value of credit and charge card transactions, including advances, fell by 22 per cent in January, Reserve Bank of Australia figures released show.

iiNet confirms Netspace takeover talks

INTERNET service provider iiNet Ltd says it is discussing a takeover of rival Netspace but a decision to proceed with the transaction is yet to be made.

Media 'need multiple platforms'

MULTIPLE platforms and revenue streams are going to be key for media industry players hoping to survive and thrive in the fast-changing digital landscape.

Myer first-half profit falls 74%

MYER has downgraded its full year sales growth target to between one and two per cent, and expects a seven per cent rise in revenue in the following year.

Mexican is new world's richest man

THE world's new richest man, Mexican Carlos Slim, and a fresh crop of billionaires in Asia surged forward in wealth in 2010, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday.

Punters backing no rate change in April

PUNTERS expect that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will leave the official cash rate unchanged when its board meets in April, bookmaker Centrebet says.

Fraser's sale of the century

The 152-room Kingfisher Bay eco-resort and some of its associated assets are up for sale in one of the “rarest and most unique” opportunities to hit the property market.

THE FRASER Coast's sale of the century is on, with news that Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort are up for sale.

Google opens online store for business

GOOGLE will sell the online services of other business software makers in an effort to fill its own product gaps and push more companies to rely on web apps.

Housing supply challenges recovery

A GREATER share of the economy needs to be devoted to housing to deal with a population boom, otherwise property prices and rents will rise, the RBA says.