Business thinks worst of downturn is over

BUSINESS is increasingly confident that it has seen the worst of the economic downturn, even though it expects unemployment to rise further. Business confidence rose in March, with fewer companies reporting falling profits and forward orders, according to the latest survey conducted by the National Australia Bank. Financial markets are sensing recovery, lifting the share market 2.5 per cent yesterday, while financial futures markets are forecasting the Reserve Bank will start to raise rates in November. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 93.3 points to 3764.9 as property trusts and banks…

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