World News Australia - FINANCE

France plans €35bn 'national loan' for industry

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:16:57 +1100

The French public appear to be less than enthusiastic for a scheme to loan French industry €35bn.

India eyes move to plastic money

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:29:56 +1100

India's central bank is planning to introduce 'plastic' notes, as the current ones quickly become too shabby to be of value and are refused by vendors.

US economy rebounds 'at heavy cost'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:56:02 +1100

The US economy is recovering much faster than expected but with heavy toll on public finances, the OECD has warned.

Fed officials play down impact of weak dollar

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:05:01 +1100

Federal Reserve officials on Thursday downplayed the consequences of the falling U.S. dollar, underscoring that deflation is still a threat, especially with commercial real estate prices falling.

ASIC mulls failure of One.Tel case

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:15:27 +1100

ASIC says the failure of its case against two former One.Tel executives has been a useful lesson for future cases.

Average weekly wage now $1,200

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:22 +1100

Australians earn $1,200.60 on average per week after rising by 5.2 per cent in the year to August.

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +1100

Training will 'drive recovery'

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:07:35 +1100

Education will continue to be the engine room of prosperity and training will drive Australia's economic recovery, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +1100

Obama: Debt could fuel double-dip recession

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:20:48 +1100

BEIJING (Reuters) - President Barack Obama gave his sternest warning yet about the need to contain rising U.S. deficits, saying on Wednesday that if government debt were to pile up too much, it could lead to a double-dip recession.

Hershey's trust pushes for Cadbury bid: report

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:52:24 +1100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The charitable trust that controls Hershey Co is pushing the company to launch a rival $17 billion bid for Cadbury Plc , the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Black Friday deals may not signal retail comeback

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:18:13 +1100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds.

Ex - Vivendi CEO Messier testifies: Losses not fraud

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:41:12 +1100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Vivendi CEO Jean-Marie Messier told a U.S. jury he "never, never, never" committed fraud as he took the stand on Friday in a civil trial pitting international shareholders against the French conglomerate and former top executives.

Rio's Cloud Peak IPO edges down, 3 other IPOs up

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:11:10 +1100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors bet on growth on Friday, bumping up shares in two newly listed companies with strong trajectories while remaining neutral or down on two others whose prospects are murkier.

Cautious optimism as job losses slow in U.S. states

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:57:57 +1100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pace of job losses slowed in many U.S. states in October, and the unemployment rate slipped in hard-hit Michigan, the Labor Department said on Friday, hinting the recession may be easing in some areas.

Rio Tinto unit Cloud Peak falls in NYSE debut

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:20:59 +1100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cloud Peak Energy Inc , a unit of Rio Tinto Plc, fell in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday after its shares priced below expectations in the U.S. coal miner's initial public offering.

AnnTaylor profit tops Wall Street view

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:08:22 +1100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - AnnTaylor Stores Corp reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Friday, as the retailer's lower inventory levels helped its gross margins.

Bankers say crisis lessons must be taken to heart

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:13 +1100

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Bankers and regulators should learn the lessons of the global financial crisis and drive through changes to prevent future breakdowns, financiers said on Friday.

GE, Vivendi differ on NBCU valuation: report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:06:38 +1100

PARIS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric and Vivendi are at least $1 billion apart in their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal, the Financial Times said, dampening hopes of a swift sale.

Big shareholders ask Goldman to cut bonuses: report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:44:34 +1100

Although the shareholders were not pushing for a huge cut in the bonus pools, they feel that Goldman should better reward shareholders for this year's rebound, the paper said.