Breaking news business
AACo blames export ban for loss
Stephen Johnson 3:59pm Australian Agricultural Company says a 2011 ban on live cattle exports is suppressing prices, as it reports a $46.5m loss.
Echo sale packed with Crown confidence
Peter Trute, AAP Senior Finance Writer 4:52pm Crown boss James Packer has dumped his defensive stake in rival Echo in a move seen as signalling his confidence in building his dream Sydney casino.
Aust bonds weaker
4:46pm Australian bond futures prices are lower as recent comments from US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke continue to weigh on the market.
Brazil to hold auction for off-shore oil
7:59am Brazil will hold its first auction in October for contracts to develop offshore oil and gas reserves in the pre-salt region.
Commodities markets summary
7:19am Commodities news from around the world
Stocks to watch at close on Friday
4:22pm Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange at close on Friday
$A finishes the day higher
Evan Schwarten 5:32pm The Australian dollar is higher as markets continue to react to US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress.
Aust stocks close lower
5:17pm Australian stocks have tumbled for a fourth straight session to sit at five-week lows after a day of broad-based selling
International markets roundup
6:36am News from the world’s major stock markets
Gap's 1Q profits rise 43 per cent
7:59am Gap says it earned $US333 million ($A345.40 million), or 71 US cents per share, for the three-month period ended May 4.
US unemployment applications fall
Paul Wiseman 7:59am Applications for unemployment aid declined to a seasonally adjusted 340,000 in the week ending May 18, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
US new home sales up 2.3 percent in April
7:59am The Commerce Department said on Thursday new-home sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000 in April, up 2.3 per cent from March.
Ralph Lauren's 4Q profit rises 35 pct
7:59am Ralph Lauren is reporting net income of $US127.2 million ($A131.94 million), or $US1.37 per share, for the three months that ended on March 30.
DuluxGroup stops paint supplies to Masters
6:37pm Dulux and Cabot's paint and woodcare products will no longer be sold at the Masters and Danks hardware stores, DuluxGroup says.
Cleaner in voluntary administration
A major cleaning company has entered into voluntary administration, leaving its 2,500 workers scrambling to find new jobs.
Holden, Toyota commit to Australia for now
Greg Roberts The last two car makers standing in Australia: Holden and Toyota, have reaffirmed their commitment to the country, for now.
Perth could be Asia's oil & gas tech hub
Perth has an opportunity to become a major oil and gas technology hub following the lead of Stavanger in Norway and Aberdeen in Scotland
Xero doubles revenue, posts loss
Accounting systems provider Xero has rewarded investors but it is still reporting losses as it expands offshore.
Veolia Transport almost doubles profit
Tina Morrison The French company which runs commuter trains in Auckland has increased revenue and profit and is controlling costs.
Coal mine deal dirty: green groups
Green groups are accusing the government of doing a swift deal in allowing an Australian company a new Buller coal mine in exchange for $22m.
Powerful $US pushing $A lower
Jason Cadden An improving US economy and a higher greenback is pushing the Australian dollar to new lows.
Job cuts expected in Telstra restructure
Job cuts are expected at the nation's largest telco after Telstra unveiled a major restructure to its business units.
Aust bonds weaker on Bernanke comments
Australian bodn futures prices are lower following US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress.
No big recovery in housing sector: JHardie
Kylie Williams Building products maker James Hardie expects the Australian housing market to remain flat to slightly higher over the year.
Stocks to watch at close on Thursday
Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange at close on Thursday
Gold falls, other precious metals rise
Gold futures prices fall after Federal Reserve minutes show the central bank considered an early end to its quantitative easing program.
$A falls as $US soars
Evan Schwarten The Australian dollar has fallen to a one-year low against its resurgent US counterpart.
Aust stocks lower as $32b wiped off market
The Australian stock market suffered its biggest one-day fall in two months amid broad-based selling.
International markets roundup
News from the world’s major stock markets
Chinalco Yunnan shares jump
Shares in explorer Chinalco Yunnan Cooper are more than 16 per cenr higher following positive drilling results from its Blue Caesar project.
