The costs of integrating the Smorgon Steel businesses bit OneSteel in the first half of the 2007-08 year, but the company is confident full year guidance will be met, despite underlying earnings falling short of market expectations.After including costs related

American equity markets have fallen back late in the session after an initial rally as US investors returned from the holiday long weekend.

SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australian iron ore prospector Midwest Steel MIS.AX said on Wednesday it had rejected a takeover proposal from Chinese steel trader and major shareholder Sinosteel worth over & #36;1 billion.

MELBOURNE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - CSL Ltd CSL.AX, the world's top maker of plasma products, beat analysts' forecasts with a 36 percent rise in first-half profit, but trimmed the top end of its full-year profit forecast due to currency swings.

SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Miner Oxiana Resources Ltd OXR.AX reported a 45 percent drop in year net profit, citing lower zinc prices and a strong Australian dollar, but said it was in a strong position to fund future growth.

About 200 protesters caused traffic chaos at Yarraville in Melbourne's west this morning by blockading a busy truck route to the Port of Melbourne.

SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australian packaging company Amcor Ltd AMC.AX said on Wednesday first-half profit after items was unchanged, hit by a strong Australian dollar, and warned any economic slowdown could hurt some businesses.

SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australian department store chain David Jones Ltd DJS.AX said on Wednesday it had chosen American Express Co AXP.N as its partner for a credit card venture.

SYDNEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar nudged down from three-month highs against the U.S. currency on Wednesday as a fresh bout of risk aversion checked gains inspired by hawkish minutes from the central bank's latest board meeting.

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd has reported a 75.5 per cent jump in net profit for the first half and has confirmed its full year guidance.

Clothing manufacturer Pacific Brands has confirmed its outlook for a 10 per cent growth in full year profit after booking a six per cent lift.

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq announced Tuesday it will buy 40 new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing plus another six from Canadian firm Bombadier to revitalise an ailing fleet depleted by UN sanctions.

The following substantial shareholder notices were made tothe Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) yesterday. New Listing [CEH.AX] Change in substantial holding (x 2) -- Tishman Speyer Office Fund [TSO.AX

The Asbestos Diseases Society hopes a damages payout to former brake mechanic will send a strong message to the car industry about the dangers of the fibre.

Bilfinger Berger AG said it bought businesses in Scandinavia and Australia to strengthen its services division.

The Federal Hotels group has revised plans for a multi-million dollar resort on Tasmania's east coast.

Regulators in Europe, the United States and Canada conditionally approved Thomson Corp's acquisition of Reuters.

LONDON, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) - The dollar was on the back foot against the euro Tuesday as concerns intensified that the US Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary easing will not be able to stave off a severe economic downturn, dealers

LONDON, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) - World oil prices soared above 98 dollars per barrel on Tuesday, which was not far from last month's record peak, as the market was energised by simmering tensions in key producing nations.

FRANKFURT, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) - More striking German civil servants held rallies Tuesday to press for higher wages amid a growing tax evasion scandal that could give labour militants a tailor-made issue to back up their demands.