Author: roymorgansocial

Shareholders to vote on Foxtel

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Original article by Jake Mitchell, Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 21 : 26-Nov-15

Ten Network’s shares closed at $A0.16 on 25 November 2015. However, Morgan Stanley has upgraded its share price target to $A0.29, describing the network as a "early stage turnaround story". Meanwhile, Foxtel has emerged with a 12.5 per cent stake in Ten following a rights issue. Some 50 per cent of Ten’s shareholders will have to approve the issuance of a further 56.8 million shares to the pay-TV group in order to lift its stake to 14.9 per cent.

CORPORATES
TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Iron ore plunges to 10-year low

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Original article by Daniel Palmer
The Australian – Page: Online : 25-Nov-15

The price of iron ore for immediate delivery to China’s port of Tianjin has fallen by 1.8 per cent to its lowest level in a decade, at $US43.40 per tonne. The previous low of $US44.10 per tonne was recorded in July 2015. The sharp decline in the iron ore price has weighed heavily on Australian producers, with BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, BC Iron and Mount Gibson Iron recording double-digit share price falls in the last month.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, BC IRON LIMITED – ASX BCI, MOUNT GIBSON IRON LIMITED – ASX MGX, PORT OF TIANJIN, THE STEEL INDEX LIMITED, GUOTAI JUNAN SECURITIES COMPANY LIMITED, VALE SA

More girls now playing soccer than netball

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Nov-15

The Roy Morgan Young Australians Survey has found that 50 per cent of Australian children aged 6-13 played soccer in the year to June 2015, compared with 47 per cent in the previous 12 months. In contrast, the proportion of children who reported going swimming has fallen from 50 per cent to 48 per cent over the same period. The survey also shows that 39 per cent of Australian girls now play soccer, while just 37 per cent play netball, a sport traditionally associated with girls.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

EY warns of cyber threat to real estate

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Original article by Robert Harley
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 40 : 25-Nov-15

Professional services firm EY has released a report which highlights the risks associated with the growing use of digital technologies in buildings. Richard Watson of EY notes that so-called SMART buildings are especially vulnerable to computer hackers. He says a building’s tenants would be the first to be impacted by a cyber attack on the property’s digital infrastructure, but landlords would ultimately have to compensate tenants for loss of revenue and damage to their reputation.

CORPORATES
ERNST AND YOUNG

Competition reforms to ‘end decline in growth’

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Original article by David Uren
The Australian – Page: 6 : 25-Nov-15

The Australian Government released its response to the Harper review of competition policy on 24 November 2015. It has endorsed the bulk of the review’s recommendations, although proposed changes to laws on abuse of market power will face additional scrutiny. Meanwhile, Treasurer Scott Morrison is confident that the Government’s competition reforms will result in wide-ranging benefits for consumers and provide a much-needed boost to productivity.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

State of the Nation: Australian Retail

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Nov-15

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine presented the latest State of the Nation Report on 24 November 2015, with a special Spotlight on Retail. The report shows that Australians spent more than $A100bn on consumer goods in the 2014-15 financial year, which is five per cent higher than previously. The report also shows that Australians’ online expenditure rose by 9.7 per cent in 2014-15, to $A37.8bn, while an estimated 72 per cent of online expenditure (or about $A27bn) is on Australian online-only sites or the internet offerings of local retailers. Michele Levine says today’s shoppers want (and expect) it all, and to be able to get it by whatever device or channel suits them best, and Australia’s most successful retailers are those that can supply the demand from all angles.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence on the cusp at 114.5

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Nov-15

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence rating for Australia fell by 1.2 per cent to 114.5 in the week ended 22 November 2015. However, the four-week moving average continues to move higher, a trend that began when Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister. The sub-index for consumers’ future finances fell by 4.7 per cent, although the sub-index for economic conditions in the short-term rose by 0.9 per cent.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Worst yet to come for BHP, says S&P

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Original article by Peter Ker, Perry Williams
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 29 : 25-Nov-15

Standard & Poor’s has left BHP Billiton’s credit rating of "A+" with a negative outlook unchanged. Analyst May Zhong says the tailings dam disaster at the Samarco iron ore joint venture will not have any near-term effect on BHP’s credit rating. However, Zhong adds that factors such as BHP’s progressive dividend policy and the downturn in commodity prices are likely to adversely affect the group’s financial risk profile in 2016.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, SAMARCO MINERACAO SA, VALE SA, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA

Sober outlook for economy

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Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 25-Nov-15

Australia’s trend growth rate has usually been regarded as being around three per cent. However, the Treasury has confirmed that the December 2015 Budget update will be based on expectations of a potential growth rate of 2.75 per cent. Meanwhile, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens forecasts that investment yields and global interest rates will remain low for some time. He has also warned Baby Boomers that they cannot expect to keep enjoying growth in dividends unless the companies they invest in are prepared to embrace more risk.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS ECONOMISTS INCORPORATED, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUSTRALIA (INTERNATIONAL) PTY LTD, UNITED STATES. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, GREAT BRITAIN. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

US dollar bull run not over as world monetary policy splits

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Original article by Mark Mulligan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 32 : 25-Nov-15

The Australian dollar was buying around $US0.72 late in trading on 24 November 2015, after reaching an intra-day low of $US0.7159 in the previous session. PIMCO portfolio manager Luke Spajic anticipates further support for the US dollar in the current monetary policy environment, with the Federal Reserve poised to increase interest rates and many other central banks likely to reduce interest rates. There is growing expectation that US interest rates will rise in December.

CORPORATES
PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE, EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS