Daily FNArena News - Australia

As many had expected, Australian employment numbers bounced back in November after a fall in October. Another Hike? A cut is looking very unlikely.

Securities analysts believe Australian Education Trust provides a high yielding, low risk alternative to ABC Learning Centres.

The latest GDP figures suggest the Australian economy is slowing, but inflationary pressures are likely to remain until capacity constraints are addressed.

According to the latest update by the ABS, the Australian economy grew by 0.3% (seasonally adjusted) in the three months to September.

The acquisition of Equity Insurance has led to upgrades to earnings forecasts but brokers remain on the fence with respect to Insurance Australia Group given its domestic earnings outlook.

Australia’s latest economic data was weaker than expected, prompting some economists to suggest the Reserve Bank has tightened too far and growth will suffer.

Buy ratings are thin on the ground for Telstra, but a review of capex timing has led to ABN reassess valuation.

Commonwealth Bank suggests the prevailing weather conditions are disguising a downturn in the Australian retail sector.

Austock Securities estimates 20% of the customers of Maxitrans Industries are drought affected, leading the broker to downgrade its rating and cut its earnings estimate.

Telstra’s possibly petulant decision to shelve FTTN might lose it market share as the state governments of Queensland, WA and NSW all plan competing broadband infrastructure.