Daily FNArena News - Australia

Billabong’s full year earnings met expectations but guidance for FY11 was weak and management’s new retail strategy is dividing views in the market.

Mermaid Marine delivered a solid full year result and brokers expect similar solid performance in coming years.

Some are perplexed as to why the world’s biggest miner is trying to move into agriculture, but analysts simply question why an acquisition of such size is required to do so.

SMS Management & Technology posted a soid earnings result and with its markets improving and growth options brokers remain positive on the outlook for the stock.

At around 2.6%, the yield on the US ten-year bond is now low enough to alarm global stock markets. The head of research at NAB addresses concerns.

A snapshot of economist responses to today’s Oz Wage Price Index for the June quarter, the smaller than expected increase suggesting wages are unlikely to pressure the RBA on rates in coming months.

Primary Health Care delivered a disappointing full year earnings result and despite cutting forecasts brokers continue to see earnings risk to the downside in FY11.

The leading indicator from Westpac-MI suggests growth overall is slowing but should remain high in the months ahead.

The ANZ Bank has updated its views on Australian property markets, forecasting low single digit housing price growth in 2011 and mixed conditions in commercial property markets.

A Canadian bid for AWB exposes value in Australia’s beaten down agricultural sector while possibly threatening local fertiliser producers.