Author: roymorgansocial

Iron ore miners told to prepare for rough ride

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Original article by Rose Powell, Julie-anne Sprague
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 22 : 29-May-15

Iron ore was trading at $US63.10 per tonne on 28 May 2015. The China Metallurgical Industry Planning & Research Institute’s president, Xinchuang Li, expects it to trade within a range of $US55 to $US65 per tonne over the next several years. He adds that strong competition in China’s steel industry will keep downward pressure on the prices of both iron ore and steel. China imported 933 million tonnes of iron ore in 2014.

CORPORATES
CHINA METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY PLANNING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, STOCKBROKERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, GOLDMAN SACHS AND PARTNERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Trademark row risks Vodafone’s plans

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 28-May-15

Australian telcos Vodafone and Telstra are embroiled in an intellectual property dispute. UK-based Vodafone Group sought a trademark to use the phrase "Ready Business" in Australia, as it is used to promote its range of business products in other markets. However, Telstra has argued that it is too similar to its own "Ready for Business" trademark, which it uses to promote its Digital Office Technology products.

CORPORATES
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, VODAFONE HUTCHISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, VODAFONE AUSTRALIA LIMITED, VODAFONE GROUP PLC, DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, BANKI HADDOCK FIORA

Worst competition ranking in 18 years

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Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 10 : 28-May-15

The latest IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook rates Australia in 18th position in terms of its global competitiveness. The nation was ranked 17th in 2014, but it has been overtaken by New Zealand, which has moved from 20th place to 17th. Australia has also lost ground in the global rankings on the measures of infrastructure, economic performance, international investment and efficiency of government.

CORPORATES
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA

It’s ‘inevitable’ Fortescue will need a Chinese equity partner

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Original article by Perry Williams
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 & 22 : 28-May-15

The China Iron & Steel Association’s deputy secretary Li Xinchuang believes that Fortescue Metals Group will eventually need an equity partner in order to be globally competitive. He argues that a Chinese partner would make sense for Fortescue, and notes that the iron ore producer’s high level of debt could become a problem unless it takes on an equity partner. Fortescue CEO Nev Power has stressed several times that an equity partner is not on the group’s agenda.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, CHINA IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, CHINA METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, SHANGHAI BAOSTEEL GROUP CORPORATION, CITIC LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD, VALE SA, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Merger resets retail landscape

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Original article by Nick Lenaghan, Su-Lin Tan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 33 : 28-May-15

The combined Federation Centres and Novion Property Group will be the second-largest retail property trust in Australia, with some $A22bn worth of shopping centres. Novion shareholders voted in favour of the deal on 27 May 2015. The combined group will be headed by Federation CEO Steven Sewell, who is tipped to undertake a strategic review after the merger is finalised. The deal is still subject to court approval.

CORPORATES
FEDERATION CENTRES – ASX FDC, NOVION PROPERTY GROUP – ASX NVN, SCENTRE GROUP – ASX SCG, CHADSTONE SHOPPING CENTRE, EMPORIUM MELBOURNE, THE GLEN SHOPPING CENTRE, DIRECT FACTORY OUTLETS PTY LTD

Farmers cry over Woolies milk

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Original article by Jared Lynch
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 22 : 28-May-15

The Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation notes that 130 farmers in the state have left the industry since Coles and Woolworths introduced deep discounts on fresh milk in 2011. Meanwhile, Dairy Australia reports that milk production in Queensland fell by 5. 9 per cent in the year to April 2015, although national production rose by 2.9 per cent. Woolworths argues that a number of factors affect the farmgate price of milk.

CORPORATES
QUEENSLAND DAIRYFARMERS’ ORGANISATION LIMITED, WOOLWORTHS LIMITED – ASX WOW, COLES GROUP LIMITED, DAIRY AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS’ LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE, BRISBANE LIONS FOOTBALL CLUB, GOLD COAST FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED

UBS slaps a buy on gold stocks – except for two

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Original article by Stephen Cauchi
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 28-May-15

The gold price is trading at around $US1,188 per ounce, compared with $US1,150 in March 2015. UBS is bullish about most Australian-listed gold producers, and its top picks include Evolution Mining and Alacer Gold. However, UBS has a "neutral" recommendation on Independence Group and a "sell" rating on Newcrest Mining. Meanwhile, Reuters notes that there has been an upturn in mergers and acquisitions in the gold sector in 2015.

CORPORATES
UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, EVOLUTION MINING LIMITED – ASX EVN, ALACER GOLD CORPORATION – ASX AQG, INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL – ASX IGO, NEWCREST MINING LIMITED – ASX NCM, OCEANAGOLD CORPORATION – ASX OGC, ENDEAVOUR MINING CORPORATION – ASX EVR, PERSEUS MINING LIMITED – ASX PRU, SILVER LAKE RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX SLR, REGIS RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX RRL, BEADELL RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX BDR, LA MANCHA RESOURCES INCORPORATED, BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION, NORTHERN STAR RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX NST, MINE LIFE PTY LTD, REUTERS HOLDINGS PLC

Honeymoons continue for NSW Premier Baird & Victorian Premier Andrews while the honeymoon is over for Queensland Premier Palaszczuk

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Morgan Poll Update – Page: Online : 27-May-15

A special SMS Morgan Poll on State voting intention has found that support for the ruling New South Wales Coalition on a two-party preferred basis has risen by four per cent to 58.5 per cent since April 2015. The poll, which was carried out from 22-24 May, also shows that Premier Mike Baird’s rating as "Better Premier" has risen by 2.5 per cent to 70.5 per cent. In Victoria, support for the Australian Labor Party Government on a two-party preferred basis has risen by 2.5 per cent to 56.5 per cent, while Daniel Andrews’ rating as "Better Premier" has risen by 3.5 per cent to 68 per cent.

CORPORATES
MORGAN POLL, ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY OF QUEENSLAND, QUEENSLAND. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA, VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF TASMANIA, TASMANIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, PALMER UNITED PARTY, CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, COUNTRY ALLIANCE, KATTER’S AUSTRALIAN PARTY, FAMILY FIRST PARTY AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Superannuation has become a political football but a new report shows what the members think

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 27-May-15

Roy Morgan Research has launched a report titled "Superannuation and Wealth Management in Australia". It provides in-depth insights into consumer behaviour covering superannuation, household debt, wealth, perceptions and usage of financial planners, superannuation brand ratings and satisfaction with financial performance. Based on Roy Morgan Single Source data, the report shows that superannuation now accounts for 28.6% of household net wealth, while owner-occupied homes account for 50 per cent. However, just 29.4 per cent of Australians feel that they have planned enough to be financially secure in the future.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

Abbott hints at conscience vote on gay marriage

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 28-May-15

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Liberal Party MPs will be granted a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. Abbott opposes same-sex marriage, but is open to a party-room vote on the issue. This follows a move by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to pursue a private members’ bill on gay marriage. However, Abbott says the Coalition wants to postpone any debate on gay marriage until the next session of Parliament, so it can focus on 2015 Budget policies.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY