Wall Street closes higher
US stock market inches up after House budget deal to avoid another government shutdown.
Budget deficit to hit $50bn: report
Tony Abbott to launch "budget repair job" next year.
US PPI falls for third-straight month
Decline in wholesale prices latest sign of easing inflation ahead of Fed stimulus call.
Abbott backs lifting Qantas Sale Act
PM says he understands airline's desire to be 'unshackled'.
Chinese economy faces 'downward pressure'
Nation's leaders call for boldness in growth revival.
Watkins attacks Hockey on Graincorp
Out-going boss says Graincorp faces tough competition.
States, fed govt pledge swift Holden reponse
COAG deal to streamline environmental approvals on major projects.
•Holden wanted extra $80m: report
•Shift manufacturing focus: Turnbull
European stocks close flat
Region's major bourses slip into the red at close.
Crown dives on tax hike plan
Casino operator in discussions with Victorian govt over proposed gaming levy.
Aust stocks close higher
Local market snaps six-day losing streak as traders take advantage of bargains.
Aust dollar closes at 3.5-month low
Local currency falls on RBA jawboning, upbeat US data, tapering worries.
•More than high dollar to blame for Holden: Stevens
Asian stocks close mixed
Region's bourses lack direction as dollar, euro spike against yen.
Wesfarmers sells ALWA stake
Group to offload stake in WA JV and associated interest for $95m pre-tax profit.
Rayson named CommSec chief
Paul Rayson will become executive general manager of online trading arm in Feb.
First Qld Motorways bids due in Jan
DataRoom: Winner of auction for roads and bridges likely announced in April.
Westpac eyes pick-up in lending growth
Bank welcomes improved consumer and business sentiment.
•ORIGINAL TEXT: Westpac AGM address
VC firms tap wealthy investors
DataRoom: Funds turn to SMSFs and wealthy individuals for venture capital funding.
AGL fined on door-to-door sales
ACCC says Federal Court judgment shows businesses must obey consumer law.
The Spectators
Cheap imports? How about no imports?
Australia is fast becoming the country that bought the world. Holden's demise is a reminder that earning export income requires making a product that people want to buy – especially if we want to satisfy our growing taste for imports.
Weekend Economist: A confidence blow
A soft labour market and a dip in consumer sentiment will cloud the government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which will test an already-fragile confidence in the economy further.
Negotiating a net gain for NBN Co and the telcos
Renegotiating deals with Telstra and Optus may not be so difficult for NBN Co. With the value of the copper network already set, the parties will be focused on the less contentious issue of its lease or sale.
Gleaming success with social media action
As marketers grapple with converting social media engagement into tangible action, Melbourne start-up Gleam is doubling in size every month doing just that.
The jewel in the Volcker rule
The Volcker rule that restricts major US banks from engaging in proprietary trading is about to come into effect. That should help shift money from bankers' bonuses and put it back in the hands of American small business.
The week in charts
As the prospect of Fed tapering looms closer, investors have missed out on a Santa rally for equities this year.
The future is wow: mapping the tech evolution
Information communications technology is rapidly growing in complexity and capability, which makes forecasting future trends a challenging task.
China's lower-carbon lessons for Australia
China is surprisingly well-advanced in its historic transition to a carbon-lite economy. Australia's clean energy experts should take heed.