Returning the federal budget to surplus will put downward pressure on the Australian dollar and could lead to lower interest rates, economists say.Treasurer Wayne Swan on Tuesday night handed down his ...

The federal government's decision to scrap a promised reduction in the company tax rate is a major blow to business, the Australian Industry Group says.The government has abandoned its commitment to cut ...

Business operators have missed out on a cut to the company tax rate, but with the federal government doling out nearly $4 billion in new family and school costs payments they stand to benefit from a lift ...

The Australian dollar has dropped below 103 US cents on weaker-than-expected Chinese data.At 1200 AEST on Thursday, the local unit was trading at 102.88 US cents, down from 103.34 at Wednesday's close.Since ...

The Australian dollar is virtually unchanged on mixed market performances.At 0700 AEST on Thursday, the local unit was trading at 103.33 US cents, slightly down from 103.34 cents on Wednesday.It earlier ...

All eyes will be firmly fixed on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) this week amid expectations it will cut the cash rate by at least a quarter of a percentage point.Economists believe the RBA board is ...

Multi-billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has raised eyebrows by turning white knight and taking a 19.9 per cent, $17.95 million stake in struggling gold junior Apex Minerals.Mr Forrest's investment ...

Disney movie studio boss Rich Ross stepped down on Friday, taking the fall for at least a couple of over-budgeted bombs as Hollywood shies away from taking risks on big blockbusters.His resignation Friday ...

The Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has outlined it much-anticipated turnaround plan after posting a $90.6 million first half loss.BOQ became the first Australian bank to plunge into the red in nearly two decades ...

Homeowners are braced for more interest rate hikes after Australia's big banks failed to rule out following ANZ's lead and lift lending rates independently of the central bank.ANZ late on Friday announced ...

Home and small business owners with ANZ loans will have to hand over more cash from next week after a surprise interest rate hike by the bank.In a statement released late on Friday, ANZ said it was lifting ...

ANZ Bank has lifted interest rates for its variable home loan customers and small business borrowers despite the central bank leaving the cash rate on hold.ANZ late on Friday announced it was increasing ...

Business owners reluctant to take time off work are being reminded of the importance of recharging the batteries.

Media executive James Murdoch, under pressure over his role in Britain's tabloid phone hacking scandal, has stepped down as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting PLC, the company has announced.BSkyB said ...

Small Business Minister John Banks has launched a new publication to help small company owners run their businesses more efficiently.

Bank of Queensland (BOQ) says it has done its best to avoid a repeat of the bad loans that will lead a $91 million first half loss.However, analysts are questioning whether the latest round of loan losses ...

A courtroom showdown between a KFC franchisee and the global owner of the fried chicken brand has been averted after both sides agreed to mediation.Federal Court Justice Geoffrey Flick on Friday told businessman ...

The plight of small business owners will only improve if Australia's first small-business commissioner is given the teeth to protect them from the power of big government, the sector's peak lobby group ...

Chaleo Yoovidhya, the self-made Thai billionaire who introduced the world to "energy drinks" and co-founded the globally popular Red Bull brand, has died. He was in his 80s.Chaleo died of natural ...

The Australian bond market has ended slightly higher on a day of lacklustre trading.ANZ senior economist Shane Lee said bond markets internationally had been quite subdued on Monday."There's not much ...

ANZ Banking Group has left its variable interest rates unchanged but has raised a raft of fixed-interest mortgage products, as it indicates funding pressures will continue to rise.After its monthly rate ...

Insurer IAG will cut 600 jobs across Australia and close some offices as part of a restructure of its CGU business.A day after the insurance industry's peak body declared NSW and Victoria's big wet to ...

Insurer IAG will cut 600 jobs across Australia and close some offices as part of a restructure of its CGU business.A day after the insurance industry's peak body declared NSW and Victoria's big wet to ...

Insurer IAG will cut 600 jobs over the next three years as part of a restructure of its CGU business.IAG says the changes to the business are being made to simplify its structure and to remove duplication ...

A theatrical entrepreneur who helped take the Sydney Tap Dogs stage show to the world has been named Australian Woman of the Year in the UK.Liz Koops, managing director of Back Row Productions, received ...

A theatrical entrepreneur who helped take the Sydney Tap Dogs stage show to the world has been named Australian Woman of the Year in the UK.Liz Koops, managing director of Back Row Productions, received ...

Shares in consumer goods retailer Harvey Norman fell more than six per cent after the company reported worse than expected sales in an uncertain retail environment.Harvey Norman said net profit after tax ...

Consumer goods retailer Harvey Norman says its first-half net profit has fallen 2.1 per cent as Australia's discretionary retail sector faces unprecedented challenges.Net profit after tax and non-controlling ...

Satisfaction among ANZ Banking Group's business customers has fallen for the second consecutive month, according to data from market research firm DBM Consultants.The latest monthly data showed the overall ...

ANZ Banking Group will reshuffle its senior management, including the internal appointiment of a new chief financial officer.Shayne Elliott, currently chief executive of the bank's institutional division, ...

Shopping centre giant Westfield is upbeat about the future of retail sales in Australia despite overriding consumer caution and economic uncertainty abroad.Westfield chief executive Steven Lowy said the ...

Shares in Westfield Group have outperformed the market after the shopping centre giant announced a $US4.8 billion ($A4.7 billion) joint venture in the US.The group, which manages 118 shopping centres in ...

Westfield Group has lifted its full-year net profit by nearly 40 per cent and flagged it is open to more joint ventures and sales of non-core assets.The group, which manages 118 shopping centres in five ...