Wesfarmers coy on Healthscope
Wesfarmers needs to make a big acquisition to accelerate earnings growth but is sceptical about its reported interest in integrated healthcare operator Healthscope, analysts and investors say.
Stock Ticker
- AGK AGL ENERGY LIMITED 0.44%
- AIO ASCIANO LIMITED 1.30%
- AMC AMCOR LIMITED 0.00%
- AMP AMP LIMITED -0.39%
- ANZ ANZ BANKING GRP LTD 0.23%
- APA APA GROUP 1.52%
- ASX ASX LIMITED -0.20%
- AZJ AURIZON HOLDINGS LTD -0.38%
- BHP BHP BILLITON LIMITED 0.21%
- BXB BRAMBLES LIMITED 0.11%
- CBA COMMONWEALTH BANK. -0.15%
- CCL COCA-COLA AMATIL 0.86%
- CFX CFS RETAIL TRUST GRP 2.00%
- CPU COMPUTERSHARE LTD -0.72%
- CSL CSL LIMITED -0.10%
- CWN CROWN RESORTS LTD -0.96%
- DXS DEXUS PROPERTY GROUP 1.34%
- FMG FORTESCUE METALS GRP 1.71%
- FOX TWENTY-FIRST FOX INC 0.18%
- GMG GOODMAN GROUP 0.81%
- GPT GPT GROUP 0.78%
- IAG INSURANCE AUSTRALIA -0.18%
- ILU ILUKA RESOURCES -1.12%
- IPL INCITEC PIVOT 1.04%
- JHX JAMES HARDIE INDUST 0.29%
- LLC LEND LEASE GROUP -0.38%
- MGR MIRVAC GROUP 1.16%
- MQG MACQUARIE GROUP LTD -0.40%
- NAB NATIONAL AUST. BANK 0.39%
- NCM NEWCREST MINING 1.28%
- ORG ORIGIN ENERGY 0.34%
- ORI ORICA LIMITED 1.76%
- OSH OIL SEARCH LTD 1.14%
- QBE QBE INSURANCE GROUP 0.68%
- RIO RIO TINTO LIMITED 0.30%
- SGP STOCKLAND 1.86%
- SHL SONIC HEALTHCARE 0.96%
- STO SANTOS LTD -0.74%
- SUN SUNCORP GROUP LTD 0.23%
- SYD SYD AIRPORT 2.19%
- TCL TRANSURBAN GROUP 0.00%
- TLS TELSTRA CORPORATION. 0.19%
- TOL TOLL HOLDINGS LTD 1.91%
- WBC WESTPAC BANKING CORP 0.45%
- WDC WESTFIELD GROUP 0.00%
- WES WESFARMERS LIMITED -0.11%
- WOR WORLEYPARSONS LTD 0.72%
- WOW WOOLWORTHS LIMITED -0.50%
- WPL WOODSIDE PETROLEUM -0.70%
- WRT WESTFIELD RETAIL TST 0.63%
Key Stories
Apple helps boost US stocks
The Nasdaq rose modestly in a choppy session on Thursday, lifted by a rally in Apple shares a day after the iPad maker's strong results, though tensions in Ukraine held the broader market in check.
Tech giants settle wage conspiring case
Four major tech companies including Apple and Google have agreed to pay a total of $324 million to settle a lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to hold down salaries in Silicon Valley.
New Microsoft CEO impresses Wall Street
Microsoft's new chief executive got off to a winning start with Wall Street on Thursday as the world's largest software company eased past analysts' profit estimates despite the pressure of falling computer sales.
Horizon Oil, Roc Oil go into trading halt
Oil and gas junior Horizon Oil and potential suitor Roc Oil Company have both entered a trading halt following a takeover bid.
China's beef demand to jump
China will have to increase its beef imports by up to 20 per cent a year for the next five years to meet its surging demand for protein, rural lender Rabobank says.
Burson delivers strong ASX debut
Burson Group, made an impressive debut on the ASX with opening trades at a 12.6 per cent premium to its issue price.
- Business Michael Pascoe No tears shed for taxi industry
- Business Toll Roads Transurban defends $7b acquisition
- Comment & Analysis Malcolm Maiden Transurban's $7b long-term play
- Mining and Resources Mining Roy Hill won't stop new WA mines
Market Indices
Last updated: April 24, 2014 - 4:40PM
Last updated: April 25, 2014 - 6:01PM
Last updated: April 26, 2014 - 6:50AM
Last updated: April 26, 2014 - 2:00AM
Currencies
| Last updated: | |
| United States Dollar | |
|---|---|
| 0.9270 | 0.08% |
| Euro | |
| 0.6702 | 0.09% |
| British Pound | |
| 0.5517 | 0.04% |
Markets Live: Investors on a high
Live
Shares defy a weak lead from overseas to build on yesterday's post-GFC highs as banks and miners gain.
In Depth
Remember failings of Wran's NSW
It would be wrong amidst the praise of Neville Wran to overlook what he did not do.
Banks continue to cry wolf
The bankers' cry of wolf has been debunked in a new book.
Crown eyes Las Vegas deal
Crown poised to enter the race for a $2 billion loss-making hotel and casino.
Trading Room
'Actively disengaged': Why you hate your job
Look at the co-worker to your left. Now, to your right. At least one of them hates their job. Maybe you do, too.
Warren Buffett’s not done just yet
In a couple of weeks, I’ll be joining investors from all around the world who are making a pilgrimage to the US mid-western city of Omaha, Nebraska.
Business News Wire
Markets
Rising Kiwi pressuring the Aussie dollar again
The Australian dollar has fallen to a two-week low against the New Zealand dollar as the RBNZ hiked interest rates for the second-straight month.
Winning run ends for US stocks
US stocks declined, halting the S&P; 500 Index's longest winning streak since September, after disappointing earnings reports and an unexpected drop in home sales.
Market hits post-GFC high
The sharemarket has hit post-financial-crisis highs after a surprisingly low inflation report and a rally in the big banks' stocks continued.
- Global markets European stocks close down
- Resources Iron ore prices feeling Chinese pressure
- Currencies $A plunges on inflation figures, China PMI
- Capital JGB sell-off to buoy Australian dollar
- Markets Banks continue to add up on stockmarket
- What's on Business calendar, April 21-April 25
RBA's independence 'at risk'
Search Quotes & Charts
The Economy
Tourism investment on the rise
The investment pipeline for Australian tourism grew by $5.2 billion to $49.4 billion in 2013, but most of the gains were from the weaker Australian dollar.
Interest rates on hold as inflation cools
A weaker than expected rise in consumer prices over the first three months of this year has sparked a sharp fall in the dollar and pushed back expectations of an increase in interest rates.
Retail
The subtle cues retailers use to get you to spend
Next time you grab fast food, take note of the swirl of reds and yellows around you. McDonald's, Hungry Jack's and Oporto - the dominant colours are the same, and for good reason.
JB Hi-Fi to continue work of outgoing chief Terry Smart
JB Hi-Fi's chief executive-elect, Richard Murray, has flagged plans to build a world-class supply chain and logistics system to support the retailer's expansion into new markets and categories.
Banking & Finance
Analysts raise fears as households step up debt
The return of cheap and easy access to financing for lenders has sparked fears that Australia's heavily geared household sector may take on too much debt.
Genworth's parent to hold stake after float
US-based Genworth Financial says it has ''no current plans'' to further sell down its stake in float debutante Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia after the expiry of an escrow period.
Mining & Resources
BHP says Roy Hill won't end iron ore in WA
BHP Billiton iron ore president Jimmy Wilson says greenfield mine developments are still possible in Western Australia this decade, even though the sector has crimped capital spending to shift focus on boosting production from existing assets.
Padbury reveals Roland Bleyer as the $6.4b man behind Oakajee deal
After leaving investors in the dark for almost two weeks, iron ore tiddler Padbury Mining has confirmed Roland Bleyer and his ''private equity'' network of companies are the mystery funders behind its $6.4 billion deal to finance the stalled Oakajee port and rail project.
World Business
Apple expands share buyback by $32b
Apple Inc has approved another $US30 billion ($32 billion) in share buybacks till the end of 2015 and authorised a rarely seen seven-for-one stock split.
FTSE companies warned on executive pay
Vince Cable has warned the paymasters of Britain's biggest companies that they must do more to keep a lid on rising executive pay.
China
Australia set to benefit from China's beef demand
China will have to increase its beef imports by up to 20 per cent a year for the next five years to meet its surging demand for protein, rural lender Rabobank says.
China's activity ticks up, but still below par
China's manufacturing downturn eased slightly in April as declines in new orders and output slowed, a preliminary survey showed on Wednesday, though factory activity showed an overall contraction for the fourth straight month.
Property Focus
Australand rejects $2.4b Stockland offer
Property group Stockland has ruled out sweetening its $2.4 billion takeover offer for rival Australand unless the Australand board opens its books for due diligence.
Contenders enter ring over Australand takeover
Australand's Bob Johnston has been shadow boxing with numerous suitors in the listed real estate market for many months as his company appears to be a No.1 target.
Overseas shops attract others to Melbourne CBD
The opening of the Emporium and Swedish fashion house has given the Melbourne retail market a boost.
Vancouver shows how to do density
China's property dragons are just warming up
Michael Mai believes the surge of Asian investment in Australian property has a long way to run.
Executive Style
Bring on the winter blues
Blues of varying hues are big news for gents of a fashionable bent this winter.
Money
Up like a balloon, down like a rocket
It takes time for markets to build value and confidence, but this can be destroyed in a heartbeat.
Higher cap is good news
The concessional superannuation contribution cap has just been lifted. Should it be raised further?
Small Business
Meet our newest entrepreneurs
Generation Z - those born after 1996 - is about to take on the world.
When is a gift a bribe?
If it doesn't meet the stench test, the front page test or the mum test it probably is.
Business Video
Business Week: tax anyone?
The joys of being a multi-national and paying minimal tax. Michael Pascoe comments.
- Duration
- 04:23
More video
Recommended
-
- Duration
- 02:43
-
- Duration
- 05:04
-
- Duration
- 01:32
-
- Duration
- 05:14
-
- Duration
- 07:07
-
- Duration
- 15:25
-
- Duration
- 02:54
-
- Duration
- 06:23
-
- Duration
- 05:49
-
- Duration
- 04:50
-
- Duration
- 04:23
-
- Duration
- 12:33
Comment & Analysis
Contenders enter the ring over Australand
Syringe maker stung by blogs
Softer CPI offers a little breathing room, for now