The franchisees of four Harvey Norman stores in Victoria and Tasmania have been fined for misleading customers about their refund and exchange rights.

Laos-focused copper and gold producer PanAust has lowered its earnings forecasts because of higher costs.

Some 99.79 per cent of shareholder votes favour packaging giant Amcor separating its packaging and distribution arm into a new company.

Insurer QBE insists it can turn around its failing North American business despite massive writedowns that sent its shares falling