Business

Shell to slash another 1000 jobs

GLOBAL energy giant Royal Dutch Shell revealed on Tuesday that it will axe another 1,000 positions by 2011, on top of the 1000 job losses already earmarked.

Stockland blasts 'extravagant' homes

AUSTRALIA'S love affair with large homes is extravagant and unsustainable and their size needs to be reduced to make housing affordable, says a developer.

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

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%

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 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.