Daily FNArena News

The newswires are running hot with talk of global US dollar intervention planned back in March, but it’s hardly news.

Steel industry consultant MEPS notes strong steel prices should continue into September but will weaken into the end of the year and the early part of 2009.

Everyone knows how important the Chinese economy has become on the world stage, but even some of its provinces are becoming economic, international heavy hitters.

Some brokers can’t remember the last time Woolworths disappointed with sales or profits, so the latest high quality result was no surprise.

More cost cuts at Fairfax sit well with most brokers, if not with unions.

While a short-term bounce may come given the Aussie dollar’s recent fall, ANZ is now forecasting a rate of 85c by June next year.

Higher metal prices and interest rates drove the run in commodity currencies, but with this process now reversing, Standard Chartered expects these currencies to remain under pressure.

Having lost the market’s confidence with a surprise earnings downgrade earlier this year, Transfield Services has begun the restoration process with a solid profit result and guidance.

Brokers were taken aback by the size of the Alumina Ltd capital raising.

Why has the US Mint suddenly run out of gold coins in a weak gold market?