Daily FNArena News - Australia

The Labor government’s first budget gets a Neutral rating.

Wage price index data for the March quarter came in lower than expected and economists see it as giving the Reserve Bank some breathing room in terms of interest rates.

…now that the analysts have seen the terms.

BlueScope steel reiterated earnings guidance for FY08 but brokers remain divided about the company’s outlook for FY09, with arguments for both upside and downside earnings risk.

With rumours the tax threshold for private health insurance penalties will increase in tonight’s budget brokers have assessed the likely impact on hospital plays such as Ramsay Health Care.

NAB’s result surprised mainly on cost reduction, but bad loans remain a risk.

NAB’s Business Confidence survey showed a slide in April to its lowest level for more than seven years, though Australia’s economic growth is tipped to withstand the fall.

The company is not well covered but on ABN Amro’s revised earnings forecasts W H Soul Pattinson remains a Buy given the below 10x forecast P/E and forecast 6% yield.

Westpac has often featured in merger rumours but today the bank has confirmed the talk by revealing it is in merger discussions with St George Bank.

Sims Group delivered a solid third quarter result and expects higher 4Q earnings but some brokers argue the stock has run too hard and any good news is already priced in.