Daily FNArena News

Even the horses in the Melbourne Cup expect the RBA committee will decide to lift rates before the race, but CommSec’s Craig James throws up some drought doubt.

Growing supply is an issue in the coal sector, with brokers revising down price forecasts leading into the new contract negotiating period.

Is Network Seven the best media value in the market? Brokers are beginning to think so.

Expansion plans in Macau are good news for machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure, Deutsche Bank suggesting upside to earnings of 3-4% annually through to FY09.

Industry consultant MEPS suggests Asian steel prices should rise slightly in coming months but lower US and European prices will see global prices fall before a recovery in 2H07.

Technically and fundamentally, US equity indices are due for at least a short term correction, while economic data continues to cause concern.

Weekly musings from your editor.

Short term US equities might be running into resistance, but Morgan Stanley sees further growth in the year ahead.

Australians are beginning to shop less, so while you can lock in a November rise, it might be the last rate hike for a while.

Austock Securities has initiated coverage on Viridis Clean Energy with a Buy rating, attracted to the strong dividend yield and management’s strategy of targeting operating assets.