May 2024

BHP (ASX:BHP) and Anglo American have yet to agree on terms for their £39bn mining megamerger, raising the stakes as the deadline for negotiations looms on Wednesday. Anglo American rejected BHP’s “final offer” last week but granted a seven-day extension for further talks following pressure from major shareholders, including BlackRock. Despite this extension prompting the […]

Australian retail sales edged higher in April as consumers remained cautious in the face of high borrowing costs, rising rents, and other expenses, alongside confirmation that household consumption would not be adding to the first-quarter GDP growth data next week or the current second quarter. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday

A seven per cent surge in the Nvidia share price pushed the Nasdaq index to a new record close above the 17,000 level for the first time ever, outweighing negative news from a disappointing Treasury auction which saw yields move higher. The Nasdaq finished the day 0.59 per cent higher at a record 17,019.88. The

At the closing bell, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.28 per cent lower at 7,766.70. Aus shares dipped slightly, driven by declines in the tech, retail, and healthcare sectors, following a sideways trend as Wall Street was closed for Memorial Day. However, gains in oil, copper, silver, and gold prices bolstered metals miners, balancing the losses.

According to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai rising investment and persistently loose US fiscal policy are simultaneously pushing in the direction of higher long-term real interest rates. “While investors and commentators often tend to conflate the two, I think it is useful instead to distinguish them clearly. They are rising investment, and persistently

Papyrus Australia (ASX:PPY) developer of sustainable technology that converts banana plantation waste into fibre and biodegradable food packaging products, has signed two significant contracts with the Egyptian government. This is on the back of the successful commissioning of the first banana fibre moulded packaging production line recently installed for the MP, that is receiving its

Australian retail trade rose by 0.1 per cent in April, below the expected 0.2 per cent increase, following a 0.4 per cent decline in the previous month. Year-on-year, retail trade saw a 1.3 per cent increase, significant for the central bank monitoring economic slowdowns to manage inflation, maintaining the cash rate at 4.35 per cent

Star Combo Pharma (ASX:S66) has attained a notable achievement with the issuance of a manufacturing license by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the production of pastille products tailored for the Gummy market. This regulatory clearance signals a strategic expansion of Star Combo’s product portfolio to meet evolving consumer demands. The successful completion of the

Peter Warren Automotive Holdings (ASX:PWR) has joined its larger rival, Eagers, in issuing an earnings warning as new car sales slow and profit margins contract. A week ago today, Eagers said its half-year June 30 result looks to be around 15% lower. On Tuesday, Peter Warren (PWR) revealed a possible fall at least double Eager’s

In China, especially in property, it’s always been a case of who you know and whether there is powerful government or Communist Party influence. China Evergrande and Country Garden were China’s two biggest and most embattled privately-controlled property developers. Evergrande collapsed after defaulting on its debts, but the Chinese government won’t enforce a Hong Kong