Daily FNArena News - Australia

UK Newspaper The Times reports BHP Billiton has plans of its own when it comes to Rio Tinto assets.

Today’s read on Australian housing finance has provided some good news for the economy.

Today’s consumer confidence read has the index sitting at its lowest level since the last recession.

The fall in business confidence and conditions reported in the NAB survey lead economist to suggest the Reserve Bank of Australia will have to continue easing policy to support the Aussie economy.

National Australia Bank’s Monthly Business Survey and Economic Outlook for January shows the December bounce didn’t last.

On Friday NAB voluntarily provided an update while ANZ involuntarily provided one too.

Job advertisements in Australia fell for the ninth consecutive month and according to ANZ Bank this implies rising unemployment in coming months.

Macquarie will survive because it is a bank. Suncorp may not survive if it remains one.

It would appear the RBA is considering a pause in its aggressive interest rate cutting policy.

Qantas management has retained full year earnings guidance but stockbrokers have their doubts.