Stock Market & Financial News - Trading Room

Singapore Airlines to cut fuel surcharge

Singapore Airlines said it would cut fuel surcharges on some of its international flights, including to Australia, after recent declines in jet fuel prices.

St George recommends $17b Westpac bid

St George Bank has recommended an improved $17 billion bid from Westpac that will give the happy dragon's shareholders a higher dividend payout.

Cooper bids for Incremental Petroleum

Cooper Energy has launched a $104 million takeover bid for Incremental Petroleum in a bid to create a mid-tier oil and gas producer.

India's cheap cars get green light

Opposition activists in eastern India have abandoned their violent siege of a Tata Motors factory set to build the world's cheapest car after striking a deal.

NZ, Malaysia to reopen free trade talks

New Zealand has announced the resumption of free trade talks with Malaysia, ending a break of more than two years in negotiations.

Virgin Blue in code share with PNG

Pacific Blue will begin flights from Brisbane to Port Moresby after signing a code-share agreements with Airlines PNG.

Manufacturing not in decline: minister

Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr has mounted a spirited defence of the manufacturing sector despite a wave of job losses.

Australian reports

• Aust markets: Stocks steeply higher at noon
• Aust dollar report: $A makes big gain
• Aust credit close: Bonds close weaker

World reports

• World commodities: Oil prices sink to five-month low
• World markets: Wall St stocks marginally higher

Stocks to watch

SGB, WBC, COE, IPM, RCY, ORG, BHP,

Singapore Airlines says to cut fuel surcharges

SINGAPORE, Sept 8 AFP 8:52PM Singapore Airlines (SIA) today said it would cut fuel surcharges on some of its international flights, including to Australia, after recent declines in jet fuel prices.

Industry groups allow little glory for new ministers

SYDNEY, Sept 8 AAP 7:19PM NSW Premier Nathan Rees' new ministers had barely been sworn into cabinet before industry groups were pressing them to tackle urgent problems.

Prime Retirement trust gets letter from ACCC over BBC bid

SYDNEY, Sept 8 AAP 6:41PM The competition watchdog intends to monitor a scrip offer to buy 40 per cent of Babcock & Brown Communities Group (BBC) launched by Prime Retirement and Aged Care Property Tru...

Cooper Energy launches $104mln takeover for Incremental Pet

AAP 6:38PM By Ben Sharples

Hong Kong shares close up 4.3 per cent

HONG KONG, Sept 8 AFP 6:34PM Hong Kong shares closed up 4.3 per cent today amid an Asia-wide rally sparked by the US government's bailout of ailing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, dealers said.

Aust dollar has biggest gain in 10 months

SYDNEY, Sept 8 AAP 6:13PM The Australian dollar made its biggest one-day gain in 10 months today as a US government bail out of America's mortgage finance giants spurred demand for high interest rate curren...

Japanese shares soar 3.38 per cent on US bailout

TOKYO, Sept 8 AFP 6:06PM Japanese share prices soared 3.38 per cent today as a US federal takeover of two key ailing mortgage giants eased fears of a global liquidity crunch, dealers said.

Oil prices up sharply in Asia on hurricane threat

AAP 6:10PM SINGAPORE, Sept 8 AFP - World oil prices rebounded sharply from five-month lows in Asian trade today on worries that Hurricane Ike will threaten production facilities in the US Gul...

banks funding costs move interest rates out of sync

MELBOURNE, Sept 8 AAP 6:03PM Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens says the higher long-term funding costs faced by Australia's big commercial banks means changes to their mortgage interest ra...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close

SYDNEY, Sep 8 AAP 6:00PM Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close: