Tag: Business, Economics and Finance
Research shows consumer confidence down for Christmas
The lead up to Christmas is usually the peak period for retailers but a recent survey of shoppers suggests this year will not be as busy as usual. [MORE]
Telstra workers vote on strike action
Telstra workers are voting on whether to take urgent industrial action over pay claims at the company's annual general meeting.[MORE]
Free trade: Aust joins Asia-Pacific talks
Australia will join negotiations for a free trade agreement across the Asia-Pacific.[MORE]
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to suspend US home foreclosures
Two US mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said they will halt home foreclosures until early January as they modify loans to help keep owners in their homes.[MORE]
ACCC defends role in ABC Learning growth
Australia's competition watchdog has defended its role in the childcare industry, in light of the ABC Learning collapse.[MORE]
Pirates' hauls prompt fears for Aussie seafarers
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The Australian Maritime Union is worried recent attacks by Somalian pirates will encourage pirates in the Indonesian shipping lanes.[MORE]
Banks urge plans to 'get off the guarantees drip'
Australia's banks have raised concerns about the Federal Government's banks deposits scheme.[MORE]
Disgruntled customers turning to green banks
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The international financial crisis has prompted a rise in the number of European consumers moving to smaller "ecologically correct" banks.[MORE]
Cartel activity complaints on the rise
Australia's competition watchdog says the global financial crisis has led to a spike in the number of complaints about businesses colluding. [MORE]
'Get your act together', Congress tells carmakers
A bipartisan car industry bailout proposal has been put on hold until executives prove they deserve it.[MORE]
Oil prices slump below $US50 a barrel
The price of oil sank overnight, losing two-thirds of its value since it reached a record price just four months ago.[MORE]
Govt pressed to guarantee childcare worker entitlements
The Childcare workers' union is pressing the Government to ensure workers at collapsed centres get all their entitlements.[MORE]
Govt may strike a deal with car industry
The Federal Government says it is still working with the car industry to try and solve the problems with wholesale credit and is hoping to make an announcement soon.[MORE]
Exports fall as economy worsens in Japan
There are signs of worsening economic conditions in Japan, with figures showing exports last month fell at their fastest pace in more than seven years.[MORE]
Cut small businesses some tax slack: Oppn
The Federal Opposition wants the Government to give small businesses more leeway in estimating their tax burden in times of economic uncertainty.[MORE]
ACT car dealers calling for Fed Govt boost
ACT car dealers are calling on the Federal Government to help the industry survive the exodus of car financiers.[MORE]
Share market continues to fall
The Australian share market remains 3.5 per cent down, after a drop on Wall Street overnight.[MORE]
IMF approves $2b loan for troubled Iceland
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a loan of more than $2 billion to Iceland to help it cope with what the IMF described as a banking crisis of extraordinary proportions. [MORE]
Credit card spending up $1b: RBA
Figures from the Reserve Bank show that credit card use rose in September. [MORE]
Gillard warned against CFK bailout
One of New South Wales' peak child services bodies has warned the Federal Government against propping up another failed childcare operator. [MORE]
US stocks plunge to five-and-a-half-year lows
The US Federal Reserve has dramatically cut its economic forecasts for the American economy.[MORE]
Truck company defends Brisbane job cuts
Volvo Commercial Vehicles Aust has defended its decision to make 130 Brisbane staff redundant one week before Christmas.[MORE]
Parents in dark as teacher pay deal deadlocked
Parents are still in the dark about whether Friday's planned strike by New South Wales public school teachers will go ahead. [MORE]
Aust can handle global meltdown: RBA chief
RBA chief Glenn Stevens says Australians should be quietly confident they can make it through the global financial downturn.[MORE]
China food, drug inspection transparency improving: FDA
United States officials say China's food and drug inspection transparency is improving.[MORE]
