Daily FNArena News - Australia

December quarter wages in Australia rose less than the market had expected.

S&P will announce index changes next week, plus earnings estimates are not genuinely moving higher and what’s happening with Telstra?

Stockbrokers remain positive on the outlook for broadband provider iiNet.

Commonwealth Bank’s Business Sales Indicator has closely tracked Australian retail sales in recent months and its latest reading suggests a flat outcome in January.

Following reports from CBA, Bendigo and Westpac, Australia’s banking sector looks in sound health. But do brokers see near term value at these levels?

The National Australia Bank Quarterly Business Survey showed gains in both business conditions and confidence levels in Q4 last year.

Leading indicators by Westpac-MI suggest the Australian economy will soon be back in booming conditions a la 2007.

Some stockbroker’s argue investors should forget about Crane Group’s short term earnings outlook and focus on FY12 instead. But not everyone’s buying it.

The NAB Monthly Business Survey and Economic Outlook showed Australian business confidence rose in January but business conditions weakened.

Leighton Holdings beat market estimate with its interim result but the lack of any upgrade to full year guidance and a soft work-in-hand result sees value becoming a question mark.