Hockey’s plan for budget stimulus
Exclusive | The incoming Abbott government is preparing an about-face on the economy, looking to quickly boost infrastructure spending to stave off a post-mining boom slowdown that is set to push up unemployment.
NBN warns it needs another $1.6bn
NBN Co warned the Labor government of a $1.6 billion increase in the funding needed to build the national broadband network in the weeks leading up to the election, after construction delays and weaker-than-expected revenue forecasts impacted the project.
NSW govt pushed Cross City to administration: directors
The directors of Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel have blamed the NSW Office of State Revenue’s pursuit of a $64 million stamp duty bill for their decision to tip the company into administration.
Higher confidence encourages property sellers
The 150-year-old East Melbourne mansion owned by pollster Gary Morgan did not sell when it was listed in April for $10 million, but Mr Morgan hopes the buoyant property market produces a buyer at auction on Saturday.
Boomer borrowing stresses superannuation
Jeremy Cooper has backed claims that baby boomers are stressing retirement savings with their borrowing habits.
Finals financials: NRL will win, AFL lose
As the AFL slides towards a million-dollar loss on its finals series, the NRL is set to make a profit on its season-deciding matches thanks to the popularity of the teams competing to win the premiership.
Leadership tussle: Anthony Albanese bets on mass appeal to beat Bill Shorten
Anthony Albanese begins the 30-day race for the Labor leadership as the favourite over Bill Shorten with his appeal among the rank-and-file members expected to outweigh Mr Shorten’s anticipated victory in the caucus vote,
Egg company under investigation faces shareholder challenge
The managing director of egg company, Farm Pride Foods, being investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for possible manipulation of its prices, has fought off a shareholder uprising.
Rate outlook steady, say bond investors
Australia’s biggest fixed income investors are warning that government change, an improving economic outlook and a fear of house price bubble could mean that borrowing rates have reached their low point.
Kiwis carry Australian yachting hopes in America’s Cup
Australia is not there this time but local yachting officials are hoping for a New Zealand win in the America’s Cup now under way off San Francisco.
No holds barred in battle for the business traveller
Virgin has taken the fight to arch-rival Qantas as it seeks a larger slice of the lucrative $6 billion to $7 billion market for corporate airline travel.
Raising women: the great Harvard Business School intervention
For two years, one of America’s premier business colleges enlisted teachers and unwitting students in a radical experiment to boost women and improve gender equality. But there were unintended consequences.
Big-spending boomers spark super war
CPA Australia says the superannuation system has failed to deliver on its core objectives and has called for reforms. But the accountants’ report has been shouted down by much of the financial services industry as a calculated bid to move onto their turf.
JPMorgan to steer M&L; Hospitality onto ASX boards
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JPMorgan has been appointed to float Singapore-backed hotel group M&L Hospitality Trust on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Banking on a football dream
The publicity-shy Andrew Pridham is back in business once more. Over an abstemious lunch he talks about art, banking and his forthcoming role as chair of the Sydney Swans.
Telstra, Vodafone release iPhone 5 prices
Telstra and Vodafone Hutchison Australia have announced their pricing of Apple’s iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c devices, confirming analyst expectations that local telcos would not heavily subsidise the iPhone 5 for customers.
Helicopter academy pilots world success
Jan Becker has successfully deployed expert training and experience in the business of training helicopter pilots from all over the world.
Why ailing Apple still looks peachy to Carl Icahn
Uber investor Carl Icahn is not buying into the fear that Apple has lost its mojo, revealing he bought “quite a bit” of its shares again as they fell this week.
Is an MBA worth it?
Business schools love to dish up stories of graduates taking on the corporate world but measuring the value of an MBA is hardly an exact science.
Does dirty money make you sick?
What are the health hazards of making a financial transaction and are you more likely to catch a cold if you pay for your pizza with paper money or plastic?
Westpac Sydney hit in lunchtime robbery, no injuries
Westpac has said no one was injured during a daylight robbery at its branch in Sydney’s CBD on Friday.
Why cyber security is a safe investment
Cyber security is a massive commercial market in the making. Beyond simple precautions, few ASX-listed companies take their digital security seriously.
Chair pitched as answer to new ways we sit on job
In the age of tablets and laptops, people slouch and lean back and curl up in all kinds of new ways – and that can lead to fatigue, pain and injury.
Advance-order menu takes off on Qantas flights
Qantas economy passengers will be able to order their meals in exclusive, online-only deals, following the idea’s success in first and business classes.
National
Hockey’s plan for budget stimulus
Exclusive | The incoming Abbott government is preparing an about-face on the economy, looking to quickly boost infrastructure spending to stave off a post-mining boom slowdown that is set to push up unemployment.
- NBN warns it needs another $1.6bn
- Leadership tussle: Anthony Albanese bets on mass appeal to beat Bill Shorten
- Higher confidence encourages property sellers
- Finals financials: NRL will win, AFL lose
- Underquoting complaints to rise in “hot” property market
- Retailers looking for a buoyant Christmas
- Boomer borrowing stresses superannuation
- Plans to drop pay rises risks ‘enormous public controversy’
- Lib Dems pay to ensure preferences
Mirabella’s fall from grace in Indi
The ousting of Sophie Mirabella by Cathy McGowan may become a watershed moment in independent history.
Opinion
Remembering Lehman Brothers
As bewildered veterans loitered outside Canary Wharf five years ago, it was left to the young ones to seize the moment. So they raided the marketing cupboard for mementos of one of the most profound events in financial history to flog on e-Bay.
Labor’s first job is to re-connect
Perhaps it should not come as a surprise that Labor is so willing to extend the pain of its terrible election loss. But it’s still remarkable Labor is prepared to compound - via a tortuous leadership vote – the problems of what should be a truly humbling defeat.
Syria first test of Abbott’s approach to foreign policy
The crisis in Syria looks to be the first indicator of whether an Abbott-led government will follow its predecessor conservatives in maintaining steadfast alignments with US policy, or take a more independent, middle-power course.
World
Retail data signals slower pace of growth
US consumer confidence ebbed early this month and retail sales advanced just slightly in August, the latest indications of a lack of momentum in the world’s biggest economy.
- Obama to visit Asia for economic, security talks
- Ukraine, Honduras revive tobacco dispute with Australia
- Former JPM 'Whale' deputy just following orders
- US banks to get profit boost from tapping reserves
- New York banking regulator probes PwC, Promontory
- Syria talks yield plan to discuss peace conference
- America’s sense of a special role in global affairs is faltering
- China rebuffs Hong Kong democracy push
- Stronger growth helps US shrink budget deficit
China’s foreign investment push will test relationships
With Beijing focused on more foreign investment, Australia will have to consider the risks to its fragile relationship with China if it happens to reject a major investment proposal.
Business
Rail group on wrong track, says shareholders
Aurizon chairman John Prescott has defended the rail group’s remuneration policies ahead of its annual general meeting despite criticism the board has not made enough changes following last year’s 17 per cent protest vote.
- NBN warns it needs another $1.6bn
- NSW govt pushed Cross City to administration: directors
- ASX seeks dialogue with Coalition over regulation
- Egg company under investigation faces shareholder challenge
- Merged group could be a new world player
- Australia leads LNG charge – for now
- Retailers looking for a buoyant Christmas
- SKM engineers its transformation
- Glencore’s Tampakan exit no concern for Australian partner
No holds barred in battle for the business traveller
Virgin has taken the fight to arch-rival Qantas as it seeks a larger slice of the lucrative $6 billion to $7 billion market for corporate airline travel.
Technology
Telstra, Vodafone release iPhone 5 prices
Telstra and Vodafone Hutchison Australia have announced their pricing of Apple’s iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c devices, confirming analyst expectations that local telcos would not heavily subsidise the iPhone 5 for customers.
- Optus launches 4G plus in major Australian cities
- Twitter files for IPO earlier than expected
- Dell goes private despite Icahn undervaluation claims
- Why ailing Apple still looks peachy to Carl Icahn
- Telstra CFO praises Vodafone and whistleblowing
- Why cyber security is a safe investment
- Steve Case investment opens Silicon Valley to startup
- China’s rich get a grip on social media
Astounding detail with Lumia 1020 phone camera
Nokia claims its Lumia 1020 41-megapixel phone camera is so sharp, it does a better job of seeing than the human eye.
Markets
It’s Tony time, and the sharemarket is sizzling
Euphoria at the Coalition election victory sees the sharemarket at a five-year high. So where to now?
- Dow posts best weekly gain since January
- European shares set new 3-month high on M&A; wave
- Shares snap 5-day winning streak as focus turns to Fed
- Boomer borrowing stresses superannuation
- Price rallies raise doubts on defensive stocks
- Lead tumbles on inventories, copper flat
- ASX seeks dialogue with Coalition over regulation
- The power of dividends: record for accumulation index
- Rate outlook steady, say bond investors
Too big to learn
Five years after the destructive collapse of United States investment bank Lehman Brothers and the global economy looks strong again – but fears remain over how much has been learned from the 2008 financial crisis.
Personal finance
Helicopter academy pilots world success
Jan Becker has successfully deployed expert training and experience in the business of training helicopter pilots from all over the world.
Targeted agility scores high returns for LHC Capital
Without any marketing, LHC Capital has expanded from $12 million under management to $80 million through impressive net annualised returns of 21.7 per cent and annual volatility of only 9 per cent.
Lifestyle
Reinventing glamour
BCBG Max Azria celebrated 25 years of glamour at New York Fashion Week, but behind the scenes the company is struggling.
Niche coffee roasters share the love
Once it was exciting to find a well-made espresso in New York; today the independent coffee scene has stepped up to the task.
Citi Bikes popular for bar hopping
For bar-crawlers on a budget, the bike-share system beats paying for a cab and it’s cooler than the subway.
Property in Manhattan on the rise
Standards – and apartments – are higher than ever and selling for prices to match.
Latest TV
Market Minutes | Market rising
The market’s fortunes will continue to be buoyed by strong earnings, including cost discipline. More AFR TV
BOSS: Queensland tops MBA ranking
Queensland business schools have dominated the BOSS MBA ranking for 2013, thanks partly to the mining boom. More AFR TV
Unemployment at four-year high
The jobless rate has hit a four-year high, so it was always going to be hard for Labor on election day – and now it’s Tony Abbott’s problem. More AFR TV
Review: Nokia Lumia 1020
The Lumia 1020 takes incredible photos, and for some that will be all they need to pounce on Nokia’s hefty snapper. More AFR TV
