BUSINESS NEWS

HONEYMOON OVER
Within what seems no time, the recently appointed CEO of NAB, John Stewart, is already coming under fire from leading market analysts about lack of action. They are insisting the stalled giant must change the culture, identify a clear business strategy, sell problem businesses and clean-up the balance sheet; all a.s.a.p.

FLOAT OF THE YEAR
The Vic Government announcement of the Scoresby Tollway start will soon see investors move on the $1.2 billion float. The contract has gone to a consortium led by the Macquarie Bank and is claimed to generate thousands of jobs prior to the 2008 completion date.

ELECTION WASH-UP

BUSINESS BOOST
Now that the dust has settled and the fanfares have faded, most observers are now saying business was the big winner from the federal pole. They are predicting the surprise outcome of the senate will now see business-friendly legislation. This includes various industrial reforms (small business dismissals, etc) and the sale of Telstra. Investors are now watching the Telstra share price which has long languished.

PROPERTY PRICES AGAIN
A rush of houses is expected to be put on the market following the conclusion of the election. While some real estate analysts say this could soften prices on an already flat market, some banks see things differently. They say prices in many areas have bounced back from the downturn a year ago which should absorb the traditional annual glut of houses which come onto the market in spring.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

DOUBLE 14
The latest World Economic Forums’ Global Competitiveness Report show Australia has slipped from 10th to 14th place. The study takes financial and social factors into account. Our decline was blamed on the rising Australian dollar and the lack of national savings. And 14 is the number of years which signify the record high business confidence is now enjoying. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says its members report the only problems on the horizon to be a likely rise in interest rates and inflation. But there is also a growing concern over skills shortages.

AGAINST THE TREND
Respected analyst BIS Shrapnel is forecasting a downturn for the Australian economy with a recession by 2007/8. The inevitability of rising interest rates to around 8% and various other factors such as skills shortages are cited. The company’s report is also scathing of the recent trend where many economists are predicting a golden period for the Australian economy.

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THE OXFORD ADVANTAGE

GROWTH AND MOBILITY IN DEBTOR FINANCE

In the past five years the number of businesses using Debtor Finance facilities in Australia has more than doubled. And the rapid growth is continuing.

Oxford Funding has become a leader in this by being a locally owned independent specialist that has quickly moved to meet market needs.

We look at each deal on its merits instead of having to apply the strict conformity demanded by the large institutions and banks. The definite advantages this gives us over our competition include:

SELECTIVE FUNDING - You do not need to fund your entire debtor ledger. This way, you only pay for what you need!

NO DEBTOR CONCENTRATION LIMITS - Most of our competitors restrict the amount of funds they will advance against a debtor’s account if the debtor is more than 30% of the ledger. Oxford has no such restrictions.

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