Financial Markets, Stocks & Commodities

Australian reports

• Aust markets: Australian market set to open higher
• Aust dollar report: $A firms as profit seekers sell greenback
• Aust credit close: Bond market weakens on US jobs figures

World reports

• World commodities: Commodities markets summary
• World markets: International markets roundup

Stocks to watch

AGL, AWC, CBA, NAB, RIO, STO,

McDonald's global sales drop in February

McDonald's says its global sales fell 1.7 per cent in February, including a 4.4 per cent drop in the division including Asia.

Greece indicts 64 over Siemens scandal

Greece has decided that 64 Greek and German nationals should stand trial for bribery or money laundering over a scandal at Siemens.

Bonuses don't always drive performance

Reliance on performance bonuses can result in top executives being too focused on short-term gains.

Home owners race ahead on mortgages: CBA

Low interest rates are helping put home owners ahead on their mortgage repayments, a Commonwealth Bank survey shows.

Households could handle another GFC: RBA

Low interest rates helped Australia survive the global financial crisis and would do so again, Reserve Bank research has found.

Thousands of Alcoa jobs at risk in WA

Alcoa is looking to cut costs and potentially put thousands of WA jobs at risk as it reviews global smelting and refining operations.