News
Malicious activity on the internet continued to grow at a record pace in 2008, according to Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report Volume XIV, with hackers employing more sophisticated techniques to steal consumer information.
Official interest rates fell once again this week, which is great news for those with home loans, but if you are a self funded retiree you are most likely suffering in the current low interest rate environment. As we all know self funded retirees get little support from the government, yet these are the people […]
Twitter users were left confused over the weekend, when a computer program, known as a worm, barged into Twitter’s network displaying unwanted messages on infected Twitter accounts, urging users to visit a Twitter knockoff site StalkDaily.com. According to Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, the worm was designed to automatically reproduce itself once its links were clicked […]
Webtrends, global analytics leader, have announced a new partnership with social media monitoring service Radian6, in order to help Webtrends customers better understand social media, and engage with their customers through the online space. The Webtrends Social Measurement, powered by Radian6 allows businesses to listen, share, learn and engage their customers across the social web […]
ABS figures have shown that the jobless rate has risen to 5.7 percent, and the worse hit state has been Victoria, with research showing one-in-12 households have lost jobs in the past three months. Market research conducted by consultancy CoreData has shown that 8.2 per cent of Victorian households have someone who has been affected […]
As the economy shrinks further into recession, Australian airline Qantas has revealed it will remove 500 management positions along with an additional 1,250 full time positions. The airline has also slashed its full year pre-tax profit outlook to between $100 million and $200 million, down from its previous forecast of $500 million. Qantas’s chief executive, […]
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is urging consumers to think wisely about how they spend their $900 stimulus payments, encouraging all Australians to put it towards a greener economy. In an effort to stave off unchecked consumption, the ACF is encouraging consumers to think about using their money to tackle the ever looming problem of […]
The hotel and tourism sectors have been hit hard by a weakening economy, as demand for beds falls. Consumers are choosing instead to save their money and stay home, with the latest Tourism & Transport Forum’s Capital City Accommodation Index revealing that hotel occupancy levels in all capital cities are down. Ross Beardsell, the senior […]
Japan’s economy is in crisis, according to Prime Minister Taro Aso, as a ¥15.4 trillion stimulus package is announced. “Japan’s economy is worsening rapidly with exports and production tumbling. Job conditions are also deteriorating sharply,” Aso told a media conference. The new stimulus package, designed to lift the world No.2 economy out of recession, is […]
Technology retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd has said it will benefit greatly from the government’s latest $900 stimulus payments, believing many younger consumers will spend their money on tech products to ‘treat themselves.’ JB Hi-Fi chief executive Richard Uechtritz believes that the younger generation will spend their payments on new products as many are not tied […]
The recent cut in interest rates by the RBA to three percent has put the spotlight on the banks, who are being urged by the Rudd Government to pass on the rate cuts to business and consumers. Laiki Bank Australia has announced it will reduce its home loan rate by 10 basis points, making it […]
Businesses are being encouraged to attend the 2009 Australian Innovation Festival, running from 26 April to 30 May to help them through downturn by implementing innovative business solutions. The Australian Innovation Festival encourages and supports networking and business opportunities, along with increasing the awareness and importance of innovation and entrepreneurship. With a 2009 theme of […]
The Labour Force data for March 09 released last week, paints a bleak picture for the Australian economy with the unemployment rate reaching 5.7 percent, and Australia’s top 10 trading partners falling into recession. According to the ABS figures, the number of people in full time work decreased by 38,900 while the number of people […]
Written by Lance Scoular “World trade is in free fall and should decline by 13.2 percent in 2009 as the economic crisis cuts demand across the globe,” the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said on Tuesday 31st March 2009. To survive the current economic downturn as an importer or exporter, as well as cutting […]
With the Easter break about to commence, IBISWorld general manager (Australia) Robert Bryant has predicted that this year people will most likely streamline their Easter celebrations, with total retail spending expected to fall by 0.8 percent from last year, amounting a loss of $1.3 billion. Mr Bryant believes more families will be eating in as […]
Today’s labour force report for March is expected to reveal another jump in the unemployment rate to atleast 5.4 percent. Economists are warning that around 30,000 jobs may have been lost in March, with Michael Blythe, chief economist at Commonwealth Bank research predicting the unemployment rate will rise once again. “The consensus is for a […]
It seems consumers are still thinking positively, despite the fact that Australia is now in a recession with The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment increasing by 8.3 percent in April, from 85.6 in March to 92.7. Westpac Chief Economist, Bill Evans was surprised by such a big jump. “This is a surprisingly strong result. […]
Online retail spending experienced a much needed boost in March 2009, according to online marketing and business solutions company Coremetrics. Consumers who shopped online in March purchased nearly 12 percent more items compared to the previous month, while the average dollar value increased by more than four percent, suggesting that not only are consumers buying […]
QBE Insurance Group says it will be pleased if it can maintain profits this year in the face of a declining economy. The Sydney-based insurer says that the majority of its businesses are outperforming their peers. At the company’s annual general meeting in Sydney yesterday, chairman John Cloney said the insurer “expects 2009 will be […]
Westpac’s decision to pass on this week’s official interest rate to small business borrowers has been welcomed by small business industry groups, with the other big four banks urged to follow suit. The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), and the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) have welcomed the move, and have lobbied all […]
