Daily FNArena News - Australia

Australian housing finance numbers for November were weaker than market expectations, with the first home buyer segment particularly soft.

The US has reduced its swine flu dose contract with CSL but brokers estimate the earnings impact of the change will be minimal.

Commonwealth Bank expects the Australian economy will deliver near-trend growth in 2010, better than the sub-trend performance expected for the global economy as a whole.

Morgan Stanley believes Billabong will benefit from a lower cost of goods sold in 2011, a fact currently underestimated by market consensus.

A year that started with talk of another great depression has ended with hopes for a sustained recovery, but has anything been learned?

FNArena met with Quickstep CEO Philippe Odouard recently, and learned all about the limitless prospects for composite technology.

Qantas has provided at least some profit guidance for the first half of FY10.

AWAC, Alumina’s 40/60 joint venture with Alcoa, is set to become the sole supplier to Saudi Arabia’s new aluminium industry.

Telstra last week advised the market FY10 revenues would be weaker than previously indicated, but with NBN discussions progressing, brokers remain generally positive on the stock.

Brokers advise hanging on to AXA shares for what might happen next.