Australian shares edge up at close
SYDNEY, AAP – The Australian share market has ended marginally higher after the rout in the previous session as investors weighed the impact sanctions against Russia over its Ukraine invasion. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed just 7.2 points, or 0.1 per cent higher at 6997.8 points on Friday after rising as much as 0.77 per…
NSW ‘ready to rebound’, says Perrottet
SYDNEY, AAP – Cutting fines, fees and taxes, boosting skills and driving a manufacturing “renaissance” are all part of how NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet wants to lift his state out of the pandemic. “Our goal is to emerge from the pandemic stronger than when we entered it,” Mr Perrottet told the Committee for Economic Development…
Oil prices surge on Ukraine invasion
BEIJING, RAW – Oil prices have jumped nearly 3 per cent as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stoked global supply concerns as markets brace for the potential impact of trade sanctions on major crude exporter Russia. Global benchmark Brent crude rose $2.72, or 2.75 per cent, to $101.80 a barrel around 0347 GMT on Friday, after…
Call for reform after Probuild collapse
CANBERRA, AAP – The collapse of national construction firm Probuild is part of a trend that without urgent reform will continue to rob tradies of livelihoods, contractors warn. “There is a role for government to lead the way in creating a more sustainable industry,” Australian Constructors Association boss Jon Davies said on Friday. “Industry reforms…
COVID-19 wave dents SA business confidence
ADELAIDE, AAP – The Omicron wave of COVID-19 cases in South Australia hit both business and consumer confidence, a new report has found. Following the opening of the state’s borders in November, virus infections surged to more than 5000 a day at one stage but have stabilised between 1000 and 2000 in recent weeks. The…
Aust shares edge up amid tech gains
SYDNEY, AAP – A recovery in the Australian share market appeared to be running out of steam by noon despite a sharp rebound in technology stocks. By 1200 AEDT on Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 11.1 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 7001.7 points after rising as much as 0.77 per cent in…
Medibank defers health premium hikes again
SYDNEY, AAP – Medibank Private policyholders will save about $30 million in premium increases after the health insurer opted to defer the payments by another month. The deferral is to compensate policyholders unable to access hospital or extras services, such as non-elective surgery, under their health insurance during COVID-19 restrictions. It extends Medibank‘s decision in…
Funding boost for Aussie space ambitions
CANBERRA, AAP – Australian technologies – and a home-grown astronaut – will be launched into space after the federal government announced a multi-million dollar boost to the industry. More than $65 million in funding, to be announced on Friday, will be put towards getting Australian-made technologies into space and making Down Under a destination to…
Wall St higher after slide over Ukraine
NEW YORK, RAW – US stocks have ended sharply higher, led by a three per cent gain in the Nasdaq, in a dramatic market reversal as US President Joe Biden unveiled harsh new sanctions against Russia after Moscow began an all-out invasion of Ukraine. The S&P 500 rose more than one per cent on Thursday,…
Aust shares end nearly 3pct lower
SYDNEY, AAP – Australian shares tumbled nearly 3 per cent on Thursday as global markets dived after Russia escalated its dispute with Ukraine by launching military operations in that country. Ukraine said its bigger neighbour had launched a full-scale invasion by targeting cities with weapons strikes, and that Russian troops had landed in the Ukrainian…
