THE general manager of Australia's $60 billion Future Fund says there are opportunities to be had in supplying funds to the private equity market.

NERVOUS investors have breathed a sigh of relief after ANZ's first half results, pushing the bank's shares more than 2 per cent higher.

SHARES in Macarthur Coal jumped a further 6 per cent yesterday as the market digested news its founder Ken Talbot was a seller at the right price.

ANZ Banking Group Ltd said provisions and non-performing loans had increased as it announced a 7 per cent decline in profit in the half year ended March 31.

BHP Billiton has delivered record iron ore output and an increase in petroleum production for the third quarter as it pursues a $US170 billion ($180.18 billion) takeover of rival Rio Tinto.

THE Rudd Government will make it easier for foreign businesses to purchase land in Australia in an attempt to increase competition and drive down food prices.

AGE is on his side but losing everything still hurts.

The latest inflation figures have wiped out any thoughts of interest rate cuts before the end of the year and place the odds of a further interest rate rise next month at "fifty-fifty", economists say.

THE Australian Securities Exchange is in the gun sights of corporate Australia and shareholders in the aftermath of the collapse of Opes Prime and Lift Capital.

NATIONAL Australia Bank chief executive John Stewart has extended the hand of friendship to embattled cross-town banking rival ANZ.