Woolies H1 profit down, prices to rise
SYDNEY, AAP – Woolworths has reported a lower first-half profit due to coronavirus costs while boss Brad Banducci warns it is inevitable prices will increase. The retail giant which includes Big W, supermarkets and a reduced stake in drinks business Endeavour on Wednesday declared net profit after tax down six per cent to $795 million…
Australia Post revenues up on parcel ops
SYDNEY, AAP – Australia Post’s revenue soared in the back half of 2021, as COVID-19 lockdowns in major cities sparked online shopping activity and drove parcel deliveries. But the outlook for the next six months is more subdued as the country gets back to normal after two years battling the pandemic. Total revenue for the…
First Vic govt electric cars enter fleet
MELBOURNE, AAP – The Victorian government will replace 75 cars in its government fleet with electric vehicles by June, with another 325 replacements on the way. The state allocated $15 million in its 2021-22 budget to add 400 zero-emission vehicles by 2023, with electric vehicle supply equipment to be installed across government-owned and leased buildings….
Aussies motivated to find meaningful jobs
MELBOURNE, AAP – Aussies want more than a fat pay packet or free tea and coffee from their job, with a survey showing the importance of meaningfulness. Every morning Amber Archbold jumps out of bed and has a spring in her step on the way to work. But it wasn’t always like that. She used…
Limited NSW trains back on track
SYDNEY, AAP – NSW trains will again hit the tracks with a reduced capacity of 25 per cent as the showdown between the rail union and the government continues, leaving commuters frustrated. After nearly 48 hours of rail turmoil in Sydney, the NSW government on Tuesday afternoon backed down in its fight with the Rail,…
Wall Street slips amid Ukraine tensions
NEW YORK CITY, RAW – Wall Street’s main indexes have slipped as shares of Home Depot slumped after earnings while the prospect of harsh sanctions against Russia over its conflict with Ukraine kept investors on edge. Seven out of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors were lower, with consumer discretionary stocks leading the way with…
Oil surges, ASX slumps as Russia moves in
SYDNEY, AAP – Investors chased oil and gold stocks and sent the Australian share market lower as Russian troops entered Ukraine and put Europe on the brink of war. Brent crude on Tuesday fetched its highest price since 2014 ($US97.66) after Russia defied European and US leaders’ requests not to invade its neighbour. Energy shares…
Country kids key to success of regions
ORANGE, AAP – Working in a chocolate factory might sound like the dream job. But Junee Chocolate and Licorice Factory, near Wagga Wagga in NSW, is struggling to find enough workers in the lead up to Easter, with wait staff, a restaurant manager and a chocolatier needed. “The whole region is struggling to get workers,”…
Stocks slide as Russia moves on Ukraine
SINGAPORE, RAW – Oil jumped to a seven-year high, safe-havens rallied and US stock futures dived on Tuesday as Europe’s eastern flank stood on the brink of war after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. Brent crude futures rose 4.0 per cent to $US97.35 ($A135.37), their highest since September…
Rising petrol costs weigh on confidence
CANBERRA, AAP – Concerns about the inflation outlook is having a dampening impact on consumer confidence as petrol prices continue to scale new heights. At the same time, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned Australian businesses they shouldn’t expect too much help from the federal government when he hands down his pre-election budget on March 29….
