Business

RBA should hold off on rate hikes

THE Reserve Bank has been told to hold fire on further interest rate hikes until it gets a better handle on the strength of the Australian economy.

Early budget surplus possible: Westpac

THE unexpected strength of the labour market opens the prospect for the Federal Government bringing the budget back to surplus earlier than forecast.

World watching China over Hu case

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has issued a veiled warning to China over its handling of the Stern Hu case, saying the "world will be watching".

Holden recalls 10,000 Cruze cars

A RECALL of almost 10,000 Holden Cruze cars is a purely precautionary measure, the company says.

Gas agreement signed in Chinchilla

TWO major companies have signed a $100 million agreement for the construction of a multimillion dollar liquefied natural gas plant northwest of Brisbane.

Review to 'overhaul family tax'

THE Henry tax review will reportedly recommend an overhaul of the family tax system, with payments to families to be reduced once children reach school age.

How to get cash from banks

SPOTLESS financial records, low debtor levels and a clear business case are three critical requirements for any SME that wants to get funding.

Baby-boomers spark tourism boom

FROM Japan to Germany, senior citizens make up a lucrative and fast-growing opportunity in the tourism industry, with deep pockets, disposable income and time.

DJs first-half profit gains 10.2%

RETAL giant David Jones Ltd has posted its highest first profit since it listed in 1995 and reaffirmed profit growth guidance for the next two years.

OPEC output 'steady for rest of year'

SAUDI Arabia's oil minister said on Tuesday he expected OPEC to keep output steady for the rest of this year.

Toyota, Nissan join electric car club

TOYOTA and three other Japanese automakers together with a power company have set up a group to promote electric vehicles by standardising recharging machines.

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.

Why women should aim for the top

SO why is it better at the top? I did a quick ring around of female entrepreneurs and leading business women and we have come up with 10 top reasons.

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.