Daily FNArena News - Australia

Macquarie suggests Insurance Australia Group has more than just a hail storm to worry about.

Ports and rail group Asciano has updated the market on its strategy and while most came away happy enough Merrill Lynch saw it as adding to the uncertainty surrounding the company.

A minor tick up in Aussie confidence in December was a solid result.

Agrichemicals group Nufarm remains an attractive corporate target, brokers say. They expect investors to focus on earnings again post the failed approach by ChemChina.

NAB has released the results of its November business survey.

The rumour is US private equity firm Blackstone is now in the race for Rio Tinto.

ANZ Bank’s latest survey into job ads in Australia revealed a new record for November, but ANZ economists believe employment growth is nevertheless likely to slow down from here.

Intrinsic valuation for biotech Chemgenex might receive a boost soon as ABN Amro Morgans analysts are reviewing their model post some better than expected clinical results.

SP Ausnet is not pursuing the purchase of Alinta assets, no doubt to great delight of most minority shareholders. But what now?

Listed investment company Lion Selection may move to 100% of the Cracow gold mine and ABN Amro expects the company to be re-rated as a miner if it does.