Killing Julia: how Kevin Rudd got even
The scene was straight out of Game of Thrones. While a confident Julia Gillard was addressing the colourful crowd at the press gallery Midwinter Ball, Kevin Rudd was backstage on a trophy hunt. It would ultimately deliver him both the prime ministership and his long-plotted revenge on Gillard.
Rudd suspends campaign over Syria
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has put his campaign on hold to return to Canberra for briefings on the developing crisis in Syria as calls for intervention grow and the UN demands an investigation.
‘I don’t believe the polls’: Abbott
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has predicted wall-to-wall negative advertising from Labor and declared he “doesn’t believe” an Australian Financial Review/Nielsen poll that has him on track to claim victory on September 7th.
Cut and thrust for bank interns can take a toll
The 2013 crop of Australian investment banking interns are primed to start in their prized roles in November. But this year, they will be arriving to work against a backdrop of calls to curb the very long working hours that are ingrained in the industry.
Search for yield will lift stocks, says IOOF
Investors are tipped to pump more money into equities markets this financial year as the battle for yield escalates and plummeting interest rates pressure returns from term deposits and cash.
Tax base threat to living standards
Australians have been warned to brace for a new era of lower living standards or face higher taxes because the current tax base cannot support services that consumers now take for granted.
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer to retire, stock soars
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer has unexpectedly announced his retirement, ending a controversial reign as the head of the software company and sending its shares up as much as 7 per cent.
Thrill ride for Crown investors more than pays off in the end
For investors have been loyal since Crown listed on the ASX in its own right in late 2007, the benefits of sticking with it were on full display on Friday, when Crown shares climbed to their highest close on record.
Yes, money makes the world go round... (now more than ever)
The Fed’s ability to disrupt global markets is far greater than it was two decades ago, given the sheer volume of money that’s sloshing around.
Bailed out ABN Amro girds for IPO
Nationalised Dutch bank ABN Amro, which was once acquired by a banking consortium for €72.2 billion and is now estimated to be worth just €15 billion, has moved a step closer to an initial public offering.
Superannuation savings squandered
Much of $30 billion a year in superannuation tax concessions is being squandered on holidays, clothing and boats for those still in work.
Where do I put my money?
It’s been one helluva ride for investors over the past few months and if there’s one thing on which most experts agree, the ride’s not going to slow down any time soon.
Andrew Mackenzie’s bid to make BHP a force in potash
CEO Andrew Mackenzie looks like he may be the man to establish BHP as a serious player in one of the world’s least understood commodity markets – potash.
IAG out front on capital return talk, UBS says
It is too early for Insurance Australia Group to be talking about capital returns according to UBS analysts, with the company still focused on Asian growth and boosting its capital position.
Murdoch’s story takes dramatic turn
You know you are despised when you rank four points worse than Jack the Ripper in a poll on the most unpopular man in history.
Chief executives who lead from the front
Cost-cutting in hard times is inescapable, but shareholders also need to know that when markets pick up CEOs have a plan in place to grow profits.
Hird could step down in deal with AFL
Updated | Essendon football club head coach James Hird is understood to be locked in negotiations with the AFL over a possible settlement in the long-running supplements scandal that has plunged the code into crisis.
Meet the world’s richest DJs
Forbes has posted a list of world’s dozen richest DJs, topped by Calvin Harris, whom is estimated to make twice as much as actor Russell Crowe.
Aussies abandon beef for a more cultured palate
Australians are spending less on red meat and more on poultry and exotic produce in a marked shift a way from the meat and three veg world of 25 years ago.
How Tim Cook reshaped Apple’s culture
At Apple, Cook has established a methodical, no-nonsense style, one that's as different as could be from that of his predecessor.
A tax on people who don’t understand maths
There’s as much chance of being struck by lightning on your birthday as hitting a lottery jackpot and winning rarely adds up to enough to make dreams come true.
Nasdaq goes down, Twitter lights up
When a technical glitch took down the Nasdaq exchange on Thursday in the US, halting trading in shares such as Apple, Wall Street wags quickly turned to Twitter to peddle gags.
Executive homes under the hammer
Company director David Noble is among executives selling properties, with his home in Sydney’s Elizabeth Bay listed with price expectations of more than $5.5m.
National
Rudd suspends campaign over Syria
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has put his campaign on hold to return to Canberra for briefings on the developing crisis in Syria as calls for intervention grow and the UN demands an investigation.
- ‘I don’t believe the polls’: Abbott
- Superannuation savings squandered
- It’s a small business wooing fest
- Labor sandbags Qld as poll signals NSW, Vic rout
- Woodside leads charge over wages
- ALP abandons Rudd charm offensive in Queensland
- Pharmacists’ call for more dispensing money rejected
- Tax base threat to living standards
- Development sees flock return to Chapel St
Opinion
It’s a matter of when, not if, for Fed tapering
It seems agreed that it’s the right and decent thing to do, it’s just a case of when the US Federal Reserve actually starts to wind back economic stimulus.
Fortescue boss contradicts Rudd over China boom
Nev Power says the iron ore price will stabilise and argues the level of demand for Australian iron ore will be underpinned by China’s need for steel.
Transforming indigenous lives need not take generations
Warren Mundine from the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce is tired of hearing how long it will take to fix the problems for Aboriginal people. He says we know what needs to be done and with a determined leadership, it need not take time.
World
Emerging markets face forex risks
The $US9 trillion accumulation of foreign bonds by the rising powers of Asia, Latin America and the emerging world risks going into reverse as one country after another is forced to liquidate holdings to shore up its currency, threatening to inflict a credit shock on the global economy.
- Bo lashes out at ‘insane’ wife, denies French connection
- Yes, money makes the world go round...
- Bernanke a no-show at Fed’s Jackson Hole summit
- Nasdaq shutdown rattles Washington
- Outbreaks deal blow to fight against polio
- US weighs options against Assad
- Air NZ to cut 180 engineers in Auckland
- Fonterra suspends Sri Lankan operations as precaution
- Communist party says Bo is just ‘performing’
Foreign money bails out as Indonesia boom time sours
Just a year ago, Indonesia topped the list for investors interested in emerging economies – now it’s a different story as economic conditions worsen and an anti-foreigner nationalism creeps in.
Business
Crown shares surge to record high on Macau optimism
Updated | Shares in James Packer’s Crown have reached their highest level since listing in 2007, as investors respond positively to a full-year result that shows the company’s strategic bet in Macau is paying off.
- BHP’s Mackenzie takes haircut on sign-on bonus
- ‘Slap on the wrist’ for ex-Gunns chairman sparks outrage
- Woodside leads charge over wages
- Centerbridge and Oaktree proposal could save Billabong $143m
- Origin’s $7.4bn bird in the hand
- Development sees flock return to Chapel St
- Discovery share spike linked to Cupric Canyon speculation
- Mirvac eyes ‘normalised’ returns, profit beats forecast
- Lend Lease’s Asia, America profits grow
Andrew Mackenzie’s bid to make BHP a force in potash
CEO Andrew Mackenzie looks like he may be the man to establish BHP as a serious player in one of the world’s least understood commodity markets – potash.
Technology
How BlackBerry’s loyal shareholders never won – but its executives did
BlackBerry’s financial strategy was not particularly unusual, although it does stand out in the way it abused the rules on executive stock options.
- Telecom NZ eyes AAPT sale as profits drop 23.6pc
- How Tim Cook reshaped Apple’s culture
- Huawei, ZTE win bulk of China Mobile’s 4G bonanza
- Pandora earnings forecast disappoints, shares drop
- HP chief on prowl for acquisitions up to $US1.5bn
- Nasdaq goes down, Twitter lights up
- War for Dell swings towards founder
- Google, Facebook challenge global banks
- Telstra buys NSC for $100m to boost cloud business
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer to retire, stock soars
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer has unexpectedly announced his retirement, ending a controversial reign as the head of the software company and sending its shares up as much as 7 per cent.
Markets
Where do I put my money?
It’s been one helluva ride for investors over the past few months and if there’s one thing on which most experts agree, the ride’s not going to slow down any time soon.
- Shares close the week higher
- Aussie falls 2pc in week as world’s money goes West
- Hybrids: the case for and against
- Market volatility expected to continue until Fed’s announcement
- Cut and thrust for bank interns can take a toll
- Emerging markets face forex risks
- Diversity vital in fixed interest assets
- More views on forward guidance
- India’s miracle becomes a mirage
Yes, money makes the world go round... (now more than ever)
The Fed’s ability to disrupt global markets is far greater than it was two decades ago, given the sheer volume of money that’s sloshing around.
Personal finance
Fine sport to be had driving Mercs on ice
If you’re going to lash out on a proper sports car, you might as well invest in one that offers the true driver experience, which means buying one with manual transmission.
- Midas touch in personal Margaret River tours
- FoFA gaps open door to abuse
- Buying opportunity in emerging markets strictly for the brave
- ASX to pay lower dividend as profit edges higher
- IAG triples profit on better weather, fewer natural disasters
- NAB in UK banks scandal
- AMP to launch no-frills MySuper products
- ASIC targets suspicious share trading
- BHP’s potash projects earns plaudits from some
Strengthening property sector subject to bumps
Bassanese | With concerns that sharemarket valuations may be getting a little rich, investors are starting to turn to the property sector, where value is the best it’s been in a good while.
Lifestyle
The evolution of luxury
Since Louis Vuitton landed in Australia in the ’80s, locals have embraced high-end brands, and it’s a growing appreciation.
Vuelta a España excitement grows
As the cycle teams are announced for Spain’s Vuelta a España, Australian fans have high hopes tor Orica GreenEDGE.
Unexpected treasures a traveller has discovered
From Sao Paulo to Seoul, most memorable travel experiences are often the result of pure chance, writes Ute Junker.
Suburb profile | Brighton-Le-Sands
Culturally diverse and vibrant, this Sydney bayside community near the airport is luring younger residents.
Latest TV
Market Minutes: A September taper?
UBS’s Matthew Johnson is confident the US Federal Reserve will taper QE carefully, and he shares his outlook for the Australian dollar until then. More AFR TV
Fairfax’s digital drive
Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood talks about the importance of an earnings turnaround to win over investors and monetising the audience. More AFR TV
Opera House CEO on balance
Louise Herron, the CEO of the Sydney Opera House, says the balance between being a mother and running the iconic building is a difficult one to strike. More AFR TV
Why has Origin scrapped guidance?
For the first time in 10 years, energy giant Origin won’t give an earnings guidance, but CEO Grant King wants investors to be patient. More AFR TV
