Aussie stocks fall 1.1 pct, banks under pressure
SYDNEY Aug 8 Reuters - Australian shares fell 1.1 percent on Friday as concerns about further losses in the financial services sector percolated through the market following another sell-off on Wall Street where credit crunch worries resurfaced.
Australia's Westpac sees earnings growth of 6-8%
SYDNEY Aug 8 Reuters - Westpac Banking Corp WBC.AX Australias fourth-largest lender assured investors on Friday it would avoid the major writedowns taken by some of its rivals and was on track to deliver 6-8 percent cash earnings growth in 2008.
Aussie dlr extends loss on growing rate cut bets
SYDNEY Aug 8 Reuters - The Australian dollar was subdued near fresh four-month lows against a buoyant U.S. currency on Friday weighed down by growing expectations of steep interest rate cuts in coming months.
Japan's Inpex finds reserves in offshore Australia
TOKYO Aug 7 Reuters - Inpex Holdings Inc 1605.T Japans biggest oil and gas explorer said on Thursday its subsidiary had found natural gas and condensate reserves in offshore western Australia.
Aussie stocks up 0.3 pct; banks gains, BHP down
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - Australian shares eked out modest gains on Thursday buoyed by strength in financial firms though resources stocks such as top miner BHP Billiton Ltd BHP.AX eased on lingering concerns about the global economy.
Japan's Inpex to annouce offshore gas find
Inpex has a 60 percent percent stake in the block while French oil major Total TOTF.PA holds the rest. Reporting by James Topham
CORRECTED-New South Wales TCorp adds A & #36;57 mln to bonds
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - New South Wales Treasury Corporation TCorp has added A 3657 million 3651.82 million of capital-indexed bonds to an issue maturing in 2035 sole lead UBS said on Thursday.
Downturn to be felt in Australian office market
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - Office vacancy rates in Australia crept higher in July prompting property executives to predict the global credit crunch will take its toll but rents could stay firm as construction of new buildings drops.
Australia Treasurer to hold 0415 GMT media call
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan will hold a media conference to talk about Thursdays July jobs data at 2.15 p.m. local time 0415 GMT in Melbourne his office said. Reporting by James Thornhill
Aussie stocks slightly higher; Tabcorp up after result
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - Australian shares were slightly higher on Thursday as investors sought defensive stocks such as the nations largest telecommunications firm Telstra TLS.AX because on continuing market volatility.
Australia full-time jobs jump, unemployment steady
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - Australian employment rose by more than expected in July driven by a surprise surge in full-time positions which while not barring an early easing in interest rates tempered speculation about a series of aggressive cuts.
Aussie dollar jumps on employment surprise
SYDNEY Aug 7 Reuters - The Australian dollar rose on Thursday while bond futures slipped after government data showed a startling jump in full-time employment in July tempering speculation about an early aggressive cut in interest rates.
