Stock Market & Financial News - Trading Room

NZ residential property sales normalise

February residential property sales were back to 2009 levels after reaching in January their lowest point for two decades, says the Real Estate Institute of NZ.

ACCC delays decision on AXA APH takeover

Australia's competition watchdog has delayed a decision on two competing bids for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd.

WorleyParsons wins North Sea contract

Engineering firm WorleyParsons has won its first major offshore platform contract at a project in the North Sea between Europe and the United Kingdom.

Mitre 10 shareholders say yes to Metcash

Shareholders in hardware firm Mitre 10 Group have voted in favour of grocery wholesaler Metcash Ltd taking a 50.1 per cent stake in Mitre 10 for $55 million.

PIPE Networks cleared to sell for $373m

Shareholders in telecoms infrastructure firm PIPE Networks Ltd have voted to accept a $373.09m takeover by TPG Telecom Ltd.

Fortescue expansion plans to cost $9.7b

Iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group has raised the production target at its planned 3rd mine and put a $9.71b price tag on a two-stage operation.

AOFM issues bonds for March

The Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) is to hold tenders for the issue of a number of Commonwealth Government Securities in March.

Australian reports

• Aust markets: Aussie shares end higher on modest gains
• Aust dollar report: $A ends higher ahead of US data
• Aust credit close: Bonds firm on lower rate rise outlook

World reports

• World commodities: Oil prices hold, metals rise
• World markets: European markets slip back

Stocks to watch

CBH, CFE, FMG, IAG, MCC, GCL, NUF, MTS, SPL, TPM, PWK, WHS,