Company news
Westpac cuts fixed loan interest rates
Bank reports intense competition in fixed rate market.
15 May 2012 5:04 PM Westpac CEO encourages execs to go easy on Gillard
Business leaders should work with the PM: Kelly.
8 May 2012 4:15 AM Westpac cuts key lending rates
Bank follows rivals in partially passing on interest rate cut; drops home loan, business rates.
5 May 2012 12:14 AM Hockey asks for part rate cut explanation
Asks the banks to explain move to their customers.
4 May 2012 4:56 PM Labor must help lower funding costs: Westpac's Kelly
Lower funding costs would result in deeper rate cuts: Kelly.
4 May 2012 6:18 AM Financial markets news
Aust stocks bounce back from last week's sell-off
Local stock market strengthens despite ongoing euro zone concerns.
12:06 PM Aust, Malaysia set to sign free trade agreement
Deal guarantees tariff-free entry for 97.6% of recent goods.
11:38 AM G8 backs Greece, downplays tensions
Group calls for embattled nation to stay in the eurozone.
10:45 AM Bond prices back away from record highs
Local debt falls slightly as G8 leaders work to spark growth.
9:47 AM Monti convinced Greeks want to stay in eurozone
Italian PM says further ECB involvement needed.
9:30 AM Spain to pick bank audit firms
Audit expected to show how exposed banks are to real estate sector.
9:25 AM Aust stocks set to fall at open
Local stock market tipped to open lower on continued political, economic instability in eurozone.
7:13 AM Retail spending slowing, outlook unclear
CBA BSI shows rise in spending in April, less than previous month.
12:05 AM China's Wen makes growth economic priority
Premier vows proactive policies as economy shows signs of weakness.
20 May 2012 11:01 PM Wall Street falls after Facebook debut
US stocks cool along with investor optimism.
19 May 2012 6:24 AM Greek politics, Spain banks test eurozone
Week's developments illustrate fragility of European economy.
19 May 2012 6:04 AM Europe must abandon euro: ANZ's Smith
Smith says break-up of euro zone is "the only solution".
19 May 2012 5:45 AM Merkel stirs row over Greece referendum
German leader reportedly floats idea of Greek vote on euro future.
19 May 2012 5:11 AM UK's Cameron backs Hollande deficit plan
Cameron sees common ground between growth, austerity agendas.
19 May 2012 4:51 AM Financial markets commentary
Australia's missing mid-tier firms
Compared to the German economic powerhouse, Australia doesn't seems able to sustain many medium-sized companies. Instead, the high churn rate among SMEs is capping growth.
1:03 PM CLIMATE SPECTATOR: Reasoning for a carbon price floor
Australia's carbon pricing scheme is far superior to that of Europe because of the floor price. Getting rid of it would be incredibly short-sighted and cripple attempts to move toward a low carbon economy.
10:35 AM All roads lead to Spanish pain
Spain cannot readjust on its own within the eurozone, and it's unlikely to be saved by a German decision to start running up deficits. So what will it do?
9:19 AM Could Greece prove fatal for Europe's banks?
Confidence in southern Europe's banks is caving in, signalling a new and lethal stage of the region's debt crisis. And it's doubtful any national promises of deposit protection can be kept.
8:59 AM A mining boom cut-off is coming
As the flow-on effects of poor labour productivity and softer minerals prices bear down, Australian mining investment is set for a sharp slowdown which will hurt the broader economy.
7:39 AM
Company commentary
WEEKEND ECONOMIST: European stimulus jolt
CLIMATE SPECTATOR: Why business was the budget's biggest loser
THE DISTILLERY: NAB knowhow