Macquarie shares fall despite profit upgrade
Shares in investment bank tumble after trading update, second-half guidance issued. 12:20 PMCochlear expects stronger full-year profit
Hearing device maker posts rise in H1 profit; shares soar. 12:24 PMDavid Jones upgrades profit guidance
Retailer says sales growth expected from Bourke St store. 12:25 PMWoodside says Browse site chosen
Joint venture partners agree on location for LNG project. 1:08 PMAustraland swings to full-year loss
Property group posts loss on investment property revaluations, impairments. 12:31 PMFinancial reform needs global scope: US Fed president
Remarks amidst Aust meeting of leading central banks. 12:39 PMOZ Minerals names Neil Hamilton as new chair
Miner appoints Hamilton, Charlie Lenegan as non-executive directors. 12:32 PMAlumina says 2010 outlook 'significantly' improved
Miner swings to full-year loss on weaker alumina prices. 12:36 PM
- COMPANIES
Cazaly 'has a case' in Pilbara battle
Court allows junior miner to fight for 'warehoused' Rio Tinto site. 1:18 PMBradken profit drops as GFC hits
Mining services company sees improved trading conditions; shares surge. 12:37 PMSingTel posts rise in Q3 profit; eyes Asian acquisitions
Improved performance in key markets, Australian dollar lifts telco. 12:27 PMBecton to post first half loss
Property group expects to recover some of last year's losses, shares dive. 12:49 PMGPT maintains earnings forecast
Real estate trust chief says balance sheet tight, simple business going forward. 12:50 PMToyota sued in California over Prius brakes
Automaker faces class action over top-selling vehicle. 10:57 AM
- MARKETS
Aust stocks drop 1% at midday
Rise in oil, metals prices overnight fails to lift local bourse. 12:05 PMAustralian dollar opens slightly higher
Local currency lifts in subdued trade. 12:52 PMWall St ends lower as debt concerns weigh
Dow industrials fall below 10,000 for first time since Nov as euro zone sovereign debt worries limit gains. 8:42 AMEuropean shares snap losing streak
Sharemarket boosted by defensive stocks; commodities gain. 5:17 AM
- ECONOMY
Budget improves on strong Aust recovery
Higher tax revenues, lower spending to boost budget outcome. 10:50 AMGreek unions plan strike against austerity measures
Govt move to cut deficits spark public sector protest. 3:57 AM
The Spectators
Making over Macquarie
STEPHEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ While its outlook for the second half might be modest, Macquarie's new model is likely to produce more consistent and higher quality earnings in the future. 1:11 PM
THE DISTILLERY: Securitisation breakdown
DAVID LLEWELLYN-SMITH Securitisation can not be revived safely with just a few rule changes – one of the lessons today's commentators appear to have missed. 9:58 AM
Why Europe must act
KAREN MALEY The CEO of the world's biggest bond fund manager has told a Sydney audience why it is in the interests of all Europeans to solve Greece’s financial problems – unless they act, market contagion will be rapid. 7:29 AM
Last chance for Australia's defence
ROBERT GOTTLIEBSEN Incoming Defence Minister John Faulkner has a last minute opportunity to save Australia's air defence from becoming next to useless – an opportunity three previous ministers have failed to grasp. 7:48 AM
Crown's house of cards?
KAREN MALEY There are signs of a rebound in earnings for Crown's Macau joint venture, Melco Crown. But with a debt covenant breach looming, management will be watching the faces of bankers more than those of punters. 9:39 AM
DEALS TV: Yankee bond bonanza?
MADELEINE HEFFERNAN ANZ tips a better response to US bond issues by local companies, while Liberty Global adds fuel to Austar selldown talks. 11:35 AM
SCOREBOARD: Euro gains
ADAM CARR European equities were bid up as eurozone finance ministers gave positive signals about helping Greece. 8:06 AM
The ace in Packer's hand
Q&A BY ISABELLE ODERBERG Growing numbers of visitors from mainland China will be a boon for the flagship casino of James Packer's Macau joint-venture, says the president of the City of Dreams casino, Greg Hawkins. 6:52 AM
David and Goliath banking
STEPHEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ Smaller Australian banks have criticised the government over the apparent advantage large banks gained using the wholesale funding guarantee. If only it was that simple. Feb 8
The 'rithm stick
STEPHEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ An increasing number of Australian traders are relying on algorithms. However, there are concerns that some of these trading methods could lead to market manipulation. Feb 8