Business — GuardiansPress

Shares End Winning Streak

February 23, 2012 by admin ·

Australian shares broke a four-day winning streak today, weighed down by banks and miners, hurt by concerns higher oil prices will inhibit global growth, and as data showed the euro zone may slip into a recession.

The local market was propped up by gains in some individual companies that reported pleasing earnings, including Insurance Australia Group, Virgin Australia and Toll Holdings.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index slipped 6.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 4286.2, while the broader All Ords lost 4.6 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 4367.5. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Stock Market ·

Valentine’s Day Gifts: Rose Oil Products She Will Love

February 8, 2012 by admin ·

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, time is running out to find the perfect gift that your sweetheart will love.

If you’re running short on ideas, consider one of the products below made with rose oil. Rose oil is an essential oil made from the pedals of rose flowers.

In addition to smelling great, some have argued that rose oil can provide health benefits. In addition to being an astringent, it has also been suggested that rose oil is an anti-depressant and an aphrodisiac. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Gifts ·

Audi Unveils All New Diesel Engine For A6 And A7

February 3, 2012 by admin ·

Audi has unveiled all new diesel engine that will provide some serious performance to the A6 saloon, A6 Avant and A7 Sportback. The new engine called the, BiTDI, is a 3.0-litre bi-turbo charged diesel V6, producing 309PS and 650Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to Audi’s eight-speed tiptronic transmission and will deliver power through the Audi’s Quattro (AWD) system. The engine is also economical with a start-stop system and break energy regeneration which help return an impressive mileage of 15.6kmpl from the A6.

The A6 and A7 with the new engine sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.1 and 5.3 seconds, respectively. Also, considering the performance, Audi has fitted a sound actuator in the exhaust system, for sporty exhaust notes. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Cars/Vehicles, Economy ·

Philippines Growth Rate Slows Amid Global Uncertainties

January 31, 2012 by admin ·

The Philippines economy slowed in 2011 as global economic uncertainties hurt demand and dented the country’s export sector.

Growth was “a relatively feeble” 3.7% during the year, down from 7.6% in 2010, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.

Exports from the Philippines, one of the main drivers of growth, have fallen for seven consecutive months.

The government had set a growth target of between 4.5% to 5.5% for 2011.

The NSCB said growth was also hurt by “obstinate exogenous economic woes, the government underspending on infrastructure in the second and third quarters and the sustained decline in fishing.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Stock Market ·

Can Gold Really Surpass $2,000 This Year?

January 28, 2012 by admin ·

After reaching $1,920 in the third quarter, gold’s rally came screeching to an abrupt end and closed last year sub-$1,600 an ounce.

Prices also dropped through their 200-day floor – a bearish indicator not seen since 2008. Adding to gold bugs’ fears was the dramatic fall-off in speculative interest, which came towards the end of last year and saw hedge funds’ long bets drop to a trough for recent months.

But as seen in equity markets, new years often bring renewed optimism to commodities, and according to one of the most respected surveys around, gold investors have stayed bullish and tipped the metal to hit $2,000 or more before the end of 2012. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Precious Metals ·

Gold Edges Lower As Euro Zone Fears Ease

January 14, 2012 by admin ·

Despite the losses, bullion was still headed for a second straight week of gains on safe-haven buying as investors fretted about the euro zone debt crisis and tensions between Iran and the West, amid fresh fund inflow at the beginning of the year

Gold drifted lower on Friday as fears about the health of the global economy abated after successful debt sales by Spain and Italy encouraged investors to put their money in riskier assets.

Spot gold fell as much as nearly 1% to an intra-day low of $1 634,34 an ounce, before paring some losses after the euro resumed a rally and the dollar weakened against a basket of currencies. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Precious Metals ·

China 2011 Car Sales Rise At Slowest Annual Pace

January 12, 2012 by admin ·

Car sales in China climbed 5.2 percent in 2011, the slowest pace since the nation’s car culture took off at the turn of the century, as consumers shunned local brands after Beijing scrapped tax incentives for small cars.

Even so, solid demand for foreign marques helped China keep its ranking as the world’s top market, with total car sales of 14.5 million, about 2 million more than in the United States last year.

The outlook for 2012 is expected to improve, thanks to still-robust automobile demand in lower tier cities, which are catching up with major metropolitan areas as major growth engines, industry observers say. [Read more...]