Special Reports
Future workplace
A new report by Deloitte Access Economics and commissioned by Google Australia says local businesses need to lift their IT game if they want to remain competitive.
Private banking
Australia’s economy is still growing, and with an increasing number of wealthy investors, competition is heating up in the private banking space.
Inflection point
As China’s recent slightly-lower-than-predicted March quarter growth numbers attest, as well as the volatile reaction of markets globally, the world may be on the verge of another change.
Taking control of your retirement
Setting up a DIY super fund is popular – and the sector is growing faster than any other. Make sure it’s the appropriate way for you to invest.
Understanding Exchange Traded Funds
If you’re a local investor looking for value this year, one of your big questions might be: how passive or active do you want to be in the market? ETFs may provide an answer.
Taking Stock
It’s been a year in defence as investors sought yield and bought shares which looked (to them) like bonds. Across the equities, ETFs, bonds, CFDs and FX markets, the themes were the same and commentators in each field are not forecasting a change in play any time soon.
Australia’s Energy Future
Australia’s energy future is inextricably tied to the region we live in. When it comes to energy demand, Asia is the engine of global growth with 62 per cent of the growth for liquefied natural gas and 94 per cent of oil slated to come from the region by 2020.
Sustainable Business
International business leaders are taking a close look at renewable energy in a bid to reduce price shocks and improve the bottom line.
Corporate Innovation
Australian companies are cashed up again, thanks largely to staff cuts. But there’s also a big focus on strategy.
Mobility
Ever since developers and engineers started to use their IT innovations to deliver services to others there has been conflict. Indeed, the challenge of meeting end users’ desires is a perennial issue felt acutely by IT professionals.
Online trading
Up to now there has been a clear distinction in the level of service offered to institutions and retail investors. That’s changing, as more sophisticated systems are made available to retail investors for low cost, or for free. .
Forex trading
The foreign exchange market remains one of the few buoyant trading areas in this environment, thanks largely to the continuing strength of the Australian dollar.
Business travel
Organisations with large business travel budgets will need to keep an eagle eye on costs in 2013 and many will have little choice but to be more strategic in the way they buy travel services.
Global investor
Investing offshore can deliver rewards. Mark Lawson explains how fund managers avoid some of the pitfalls.