Hintze warns of risks in taper complacency
Exclusive | Australian hedge fund billionaire Sir Michael Hintze is warning investors not to be complacent about the impact of the US taper on risk assets and of the long term dangers of central banks’ “forward guidance” approach.
Hockey denies manipulating forecasts
Updated | Treasurer Joe Hockey has denied that the government massaged figures in Tuesday’s mid-year budget update in order to soften the ground for public spending cuts.
China wary of Abbott’s ‘harder’ foreign policy
The Chinese government is concerned about a shift in Australia foreign policy since the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and has warned the hardening of attitudes towards Beijing could threaten the recently signed strategic partnership.
Optus targets networks and data to ‘take on’ Telstra
Second-ranked mobile carrier SingTel-Optus plans to challenge Telstra’s dominance in mobile networks, significantly building out its coverage in regional areas and reversing an industry trend of dwindling data allowances in a bid to grow its customer base.
Call to end self-interest on tax reform
The Australian Taxation Office commissioner has called for an end to “narrow self-interest” and a realistic discussion about tax reform.
Private emails reveal sibling criticism in Rinehart feud
Ginia Rinehart opted to end the year with a bang when she released private emails sent by her brother John to their mother in which he lamented she was a useless oxygen thief and had a brain like a weak bowl of porridge.
Shell poised to beat rivals in $3bn downstream auction
As the $1 billion sale of Australia’s largest independent fuel supplier and retailer United Petroleum drags on and the London-listed BP mulls a $3 billion auction of its Australian assets, Shell may well end up pipping both to the post.
Abbott appears to be out of ideas
In March Tony Abbott will have spent 20 years in the House of Representatives; in the 20 years prior to his election he was active in public life: that’s 40 years of thinking, writing and talking about politics.
RBA corruption now linked to China
Exclusive | Suitcases stuffed with cash were allegedly used to bribe former Indonesian president Suharto to approve contracts to buy the RBA’s plastic banknotes, according to a sworn witness statement made by a Jakarta middleman.
Lachlan Murdoch calls for Abbott media review
Updated | Lachlan Murdoch, chairman of Ten Network Holdings, has called on the Abbott government to undertake a comprehensive review of the Australian media sector and rip up “excessive” regulation he says was designed for a pre-digital age.
Ten, Fox Sports, Foxtel sign $241m V8 deal
The V8 Supercars motor racing series has signed a record six-year $241 million broadcast deal with Ten Network, Fox Sports Australia and Foxtel.
Confidence driving house growth: CEO
Australia’s housing recovery should last for at least another three years says Mark Steinert, the chief executive of the nation’s largest housing developer, Stockland.
Mad penguins: the David Walsh theory of evolution
In an exclusive interview with one of the country’s most exotic intellectuals, the multimillionaire gambling polymath David Walsh claimed to stumble across the answer to an important evolutionary puzzle.
Shell poised to beat rivals in $3bn downstream auction
As the $1 billion sale of Australia’s largest independent fuel supplier and retailer United Petroleum drags on and the London-listed BP mulls a $3 billion auction of its Australian assets, Shell may well end up pipping both to the post.
Pussy Riot set for prison release
The Russian Parliament has given preliminary approval to an amnesty that could pardon jailed punk band Pussy Riot.
Generic Viagra on its way
Generic Viagra will be available to the US market in 2017 under a settlement between Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and the maker of the impotence drug, Pfizer Inc.
Why are bank customers happier than ever?
A Roy Morgan Research consumer banking survey finds the satisfaction level of personal customers is the highest it’s ever been.
Jamie Dimon’s holiday card
Website Quartz has snared a copy of JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon’s 2013 holiday card, saying it looks a lot like a Ralph Lauren advertisement.
How Wall Street’s carving up its bonuses
Wall Street bankers are looking at fat bonuses for 2013 but hedge funds are set to shower executives with richer spoils.
That $2.5 million classic Jaguar may be fake
In the 1930s, British sports-car maker MG made exactly 33 of the K3 open-top race car, now, there are more than 100.
NZ ponders future of hobbit country
Another war is brewing in Middle Earth, as environmentalists resist a major rail project.
Apple reveals top app downloads of 2013
Candy Crush Saga was the No. 1 most downloaded free app for the iPhone in 2013, according to Apple.
Singapore Airlines opens new Sydney lounge
Singapore Airlines has opened its new SilverKris lounge at Sydney Airport after months of renovations.
NRL’s Sharks fined $1m, coach suspended
The Cronulla Sharks have been hit with a proposed $1 million fine and their coach Shane Flanagan provisionally suspended for 12 months over a doping scandal that engulfed the club earlier this year.
National
China wary of Abbott’s ‘harder’ foreign policy
The Chinese government is concerned about a shift in Australia foreign policy since the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and has warned the hardening of attitudes towards Beijing could threaten the recently signed strategic partnership.
- Costello to Future Fund; Gonski to ANZ
- Call to end self-interest on tax reform
- Stevens calls for confidence-building reforms
- The future of jobs is in research: Scales
- Court finds NSW donation rules invalid
- Wilson told to avoid party politicking
- Sea of deficits and debt faces most states
- RBA corruption now linked to China
Abbott appears to be out of ideas
In March Tony Abbott will have spent 20 years in the House of Representatives; in the 20 years prior to his election he was active in public life: that’s 40 years of thinking, writing and talking about politics.
Opinion
The problem with incomplete forecasting
Australia may be a world-leader when it comes to fiscal strategy, but even we have areas we can improve upon.
New Commissioner answers critics
As Human Rights Commissioner I am looking forward to a constructive working relationship with fellow Commissioners to reassert the primacy of traditional human rights in Australia.
Why Abenomics will disappoint
The predominant concern of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, is with the decline of his country’s economy relative to China’s. This explains “Abenomics”, which is aimed at economic revitalisation. Can it succeed? The answer is yes – but only in part. It should be possible to end deflation. But a big upsurge in economic growth is unlikely.
World
China wary of Abbott’s ‘harder’ foreign policy
The Chinese government is concerned about a shift in Australia foreign policy since the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and has warned the hardening of attitudes towards Beijing could threaten the recently signed strategic partnership.
- Russia offers Ukraine 15bn reasons to stay
- UK opens the door to more shale gas drilling
- US inflation tame, but Fed may still trim bond buying
- JPMorgan, Deutsche extend chatroom bans: sources
- Microsoft expects CEO appointment early 2014
- Snowden puts condition on helping Brazil inquiry
- China’s Xi broadens purge of ‘petro faction’
- US budget deal clears crucial vote in Senate
- NZ ponders future of hobbit country
Generic Viagra on its way
Generic Viagra will be available to the US market in 2017 under a settlement between Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and the maker of the impotence drug, Pfizer Inc.
Business
Lachlan Murdoch calls for Abbott media review
Updated | Lachlan Murdoch, chairman of Ten Network Holdings, has called on the Abbott government to undertake a comprehensive review of the Australian media sector and rip up “excessive” regulation he says was designed for a pre-digital age.
- Gonski to lead ANZ’s push into Asia
- Shell poised to beat rivals in $3bn downstream auction
- AMP Capital in talks for Qld gas pipelines
- Financiers set to approve billions for Roy Hill project
- Billabong’s $50m rights issue to go ahead
- UGL chief talks up Chevron LNG contract
- Murdoch defends McLennan’s pay at Ten
- Bega pulls out of Warrnambool bidding war for now
Private emails reveal sibling criticism in Rinehart feud
Ginia Rinehart opted to end the year with a bang when she released private emails sent by her brother John to their mother in which he lamented she was a useless oxygen thief and had a brain like a weak bowl of porridge.
Technology
Nearmap ditches Nokia Maps to go with Google
ASX-listed online geospatial mapping company Nearmap has ditched Nokia’s mapping software and signed a new licence agreement to incorporate Google Maps into its products.
- Telstra keeps mum on value of copper network
- Scoopon fined $1m over misleading claims
- Apple reveals top app downloads of 2013
- Microsoft expects CEO appointment early 2014
- Apple iWatch October 2014: second-hand rumour
- Beyoncé reinvents music marketing
- Nortel resolves more than $US3bn in bankruptcy claims
- Contractors seek more money from NBN Co
- Facebook sees potential new revenue from video ads
Optus targets networks and data to ‘take on’ Telstra
Second-ranked mobile carrier SingTel-Optus plans to challenge Telstra’s dominance in mobile networks, significantly building out its coverage in regional areas and reversing an industry trend of dwindling data allowances in a bid to grow its customer base.
Markets
Local shares ready for taper
On the eve of a highly anticipated decision from the United States Federal Reserve, local shares finished only slightly lower as investors were hesitant but orderly ahead of a likely reduction in global liquidity.
- Australian dollar weak ahead of Fed meeting
- Stevens calls for confidence-building reforms
- $A drops as Stevens prepares to testify
- $A meddling with RBA efforts on economy: Pimco
- Australia’s changing Asian investment story in four graphs
- Wall Street slips on Fed caution, volatility rises
- JPMorgan, Deutsche extend chatroom bans: sources
- ASX closes lower as investors wait for Fed decision
- Saxo Bank’s ‘outrageous predictions’ for 2014
How Wall Street’s carving up its bonuses
Wall Street bankers are looking at fat bonuses for 2013 but hedge funds are set to shower executives with richer spoils.
Personal finance
How you can invest in foreign companies
Gaining access to international companies has never been easier for investors wanting to diversify their portfolio or take advantage of the still relatively strong Australian dollar.
- Marriage makes all the financial difference when separating
- US recovery bodes well for global REITs
- Miss Limousines founder is driven to make a difference
- Strange forces behind sharemarket fall
- Where the über rich go for ready cash
- Property: proceed with caution
- Magellan vs Platinum: star funds at odds over global outlook
- Why 2014 will be different for investors
The art of winning millions
The eccentric numerati David Walsh ascended from humble origins in a housing estate in Hobart’s blue-collar suburbs to become among the most successful professional gamblers in history alongside friend and mentor Zeljko Ranogajec.
Lifestyle
Summer food series 4: Nathan Sasi
The head chef of Sydney’s Nomad restaurant sparks the culinary imagination with three delicious dishes.
Cars: the very rest of 2013
A few impressive machines for reasons of space and timing didn’t secure a full road test. This is the best of them.
Animal spirits hold sway in a sparkling menagerie
From elephants and pandas to frogs and bees, luxury houses are reviving an ancient tradition in precious baubles.
French Polynesia is peak relaxation
Cruising in your own skippered catamaran is the best way to explore the beautiful South Pacific.
Latest TV
Gas deal offers Europe relief from Russia
Azerbaijan has signed a multi-billion dollar gas deal to supply European buyers, creating an alternative to energy supplies from Russia.
Watch review: Bremont Martin Baker MBII
If you've ever ejected from your plunging aircraft, Bremont has a special flourish in its latest Martin Baker timepiece. It's a cult watch for pilots.
Debelle wary on BASEL-style super rules
RBA assistant governor Guy Debelle isn't convinced BASEL-style liquidity rules should be applied to Australia's growing superannuation sector.
Watch review: Jean Richard Terrascope
Bigger brands will be trembling, says Watch editor Bani McSpedden, as he gets hands on with this sporty entry.
