What investors should expect in 2014
Are global sharemarkets headed for a seventh year of plenty? That’s the question investors are facing after strong rises over the past six years have left global sharemarkets hovering near historic highs. And although global growth finally appears to be gaining traction, investors are keeping a wary eye out for potential disruptions.
Price to pay for holiday homes
The reality of purchasing of a holiday home can often mean a financial black hole that bores the kids, is difficult to rent in competitive markets and has negligible tax benefits because of problems generating any income.
Fears emerging markets could catch Turkey’s fiscal flu
As Turkey struggles to contain its latest political crisis, fears of a run on its currency – dormant since the northern summer – have quickly re-emerged.
Yellen takes big step toward taking reins at US Fed
Janet Yellen has cleared a key Republican procedural hurdle in the US Senate, taking a big step toward becoming the first woman to chair the central bank.
US growth revised higher, economy on firmer footing
The US economy grew at its fastest pace in almost two years in the third quarter, the government said on Friday as it revised its estimates of business and consumer spending higher.
Goldman Sachs bans multidealer chatrooms: source
US investment bank Goldman Sachs has become the latest major financial institution to ban its dealers from using multilateral online chatrooms, a source familiar with the matter said.
Zahra’s Christmas rush through DJs revolving doors
Spare a thought for Paul Zahra, who is facing what could be his last Christmas as David Jones’ chief executive officer after an apparent falling out with the board.
BlackBerry posts $4.4bn loss quarterly loss
BlackBerry, after giving up on a plan to sell itself last month, reported a massive $US4.4 billion quarterly loss as sales of its smartphones shrivelled and it booked a huge inventory writedown.
News Corp snares social news play Storyful for $US25m
Rupert Murdoch's publishing group News Corp has acquired Irish "social news agency" start-up Storyful, which seeks to merge journalism with social media, in a deal worth $US25 million.
Palmer wins China First coalmine approval
Mining billionaire and federal MP Clive Palmer has received an early Christmas present with the approval of his monster China First coalmine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
Riding a surfboard wave from old Hawaii
An American living in Australia and his brother have revived Hawaiian surfboard designs to innovate in a sport that had become increasingly reliant on factory production.
The great Chinese property takeaway
The Chinese have a seemingly endless appetite for Australian real estate and are prepared to pay big cash for homes and apartments.
Don’t bet on low rates lasting long
Christopher Joye | Notwithstanding green shoots across the economy, economists are worried about Australia’s “sub-trend” rate of growth.
Deutsche Bank appointed to sell CHAMP’s LCR
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Deutsche Bank has been appointed to run a dual-track exit process for CHAMP Private Equity’s bulk materials handling and mining services unit LCR Group.
Perfection fresh from the oven
With only a few more sleeps to Christmas, there is no time to rest for Phillippa Grogan, whose business is well into peak season.
Never mind the handbag, buy the company
The company that everyone wants to get their hands on, of course, is Hermès, which is on the ritziest multiple of all at 32 times.
2013: the sharpest year ever in consumer electronics
The year 2013 may go down as the the year the pixel all but vanished from sight.
What Bill Gates gave for Secret Santa
Secret Santa’s synonymous with coffee cups, chocolate and stationery, but one Reddit user got much more than she bargained for.
Is this the end for Cuba’s classic cars?
Cuba will allow unrestricted car imports for the first time in half a century, marking the end of an era that made icons of the island's automobiles.
Tennis Australia eyes Asia league
Tennis Australia is investigating buying an Asian-based franchise in the planned lucrative International Premier Tennis League tournament.
Film | Kill Your Darlings; Anchorman 2
The Beat Generation are unsatisfyingly viewed through the life of Lucien Carr, king of hip, who is ultimately charged with murder.
Retailers enjoy strong online growth
Australia’s largest bricks and mortar retailers have enjoyed strong growth in online traffic in November and further pre-Christmas gains are expected.
The David Walsh theory of evolution
Multimillionaire gambling polymath David Walsh claims to have stumbled across the answer to an important evolutionary puzzle.
Dell delivers a real pro
The Venue 8 Pro runs the real Windows, Windows 8.1, on top of an Intel Atom chip, which means most Windows apps will run on this little tablet.
National
Car industry must cut costs, inquiry finds
Australia’s automotive industry needs to significantly reduce its cost base if it is to survive in an increasingly competitive and strained global environment, a Productivity Commission report has found.
- Business to design direct action penalties
- Abbott ‘gutting’ financial planning laws: Bowen
- Coalition approves China State Grid power buy
- GrainCorp chairman to reap $1m pay packet
- Southbank ‘skinny’ tower gets final approval
- Second outsider appointed to top ATO ranks
- WA collects surprise revenue boost
- Financial inquiry panel assembled
- Target settles with MAC for $1m in fake make-up case
William and Kate to visit Australia
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Australia and New Zealand in April next year, Kensington Palace says.
Opinion
Time to get lucky once more
Editorial | If Australia was the Lucky Country in 1964 when Donald Horne published his bittersweet book of that name, 50 years later we must be even more the world’s luckiest country. The question, in 1964 as today, is whether we deserve such good fortune.
Totes amazeballs, you can never fail
At ground-breaking Creative Coalition Jobs, they take a refreshing, dynamic and innovative approach to Job Placement Strategies.
There are 460,000 reasons to leave the NDIS alone
Disabled Australians are set for an uncertain Christmas as the National Disability Insurance Scheme ends the year with a cloud over its head.
World
BlackBerry posts $4.4bn loss quarterly loss
BlackBerry, after giving up on a plan to sell itself last month, reported a massive $US4.4 billion quarterly loss as sales of its smartphones shrivelled and it booked a huge inventory writedown.
- US growth revised higher, economy on firmer footing
- S&P; cuts EU's AAA rating officials dismiss move
- Deutsche Bank reaches $US1.9bn mortgage settlement
- Goldman Sachs bans multidealer chatrooms: source
- Yellen takes big step toward taking reins at US Fed
- Norway's giant Johan Sverdrup oilfield delayed a year
- Charlotte Chou to be freed next year
- SAC win bolsters US prosecutors’ confidence
- Canada regulator approves Northern Gateway pipeline
Is this the end for Cuba’s classic cars?
Cuba will allow unrestricted car imports for the first time in half a century, marking the end of an era that made icons of the island's automobiles.
Business
Coalition approves China State Grid power buy
Updated | Treasurer Joe Hockey has approved State Grid Corporation of China’s $7.5 billion purchase of critical electricity and gas distribution assets across Australia’s east coast.
- GrainCorp chairman to reap $1m pay packet
- Telstra sells CSL for $2bn
- Rinehart’s Roy Hill venture secures $US694m
- ANZ’s Smith not worried by US taper
- Sundance Energy files for US secondary listing
- Moelis settles legal dispute with Julia Ward: report
- Target settles with MAC for $1m in fake make-up case
- Chinese buyers boost Sydney market
Technology
BlackBerry posts $4.4bn loss quarterly loss
BlackBerry, after giving up on a plan to sell itself last month, reported a massive $US4.4 billion quarterly loss as sales of its smartphones shrivelled and it booked a huge inventory writedown.
- iBuy shares close 4pc above listing price
- Google fined for breaking Spanish privacy laws
- Microsoft exec faces insider trading charge
- Threat to NBN as Optus plans fibre to the basement rollout
- Accenture tips improvement in consulting business
- Target holiday cyber breach hits 40m payment cards
- France expands phone and internet monitoring powers
- Retailers enjoy strong online growth
- White House review proposes curbs on some NSA programs
2013: the sharpest year ever in consumer electronics
The year 2013 may go down as the the year the pixel all but vanished from sight.
Markets
After long wait, Christmas rally is here
The Australian sharemarket has chalked up its biggest weekly gain since April, buoyed by rising global optimism after the US Federal Reserve decided to begin cutting its stimulus.
- Wall St gains on GDP data; indexes post strong week
- Deutsche Bank reaches $US1.9bn mortgage settlement
- Goldman Sachs bans multidealer chatrooms: source
- How you can invest in foreign companies
- Fed's Rosengren urges patience on reducing stimulus
- Greenback falls v yen but firm trend seen intact
- S&P; cuts EU's AAA rating officials dismiss move
- European shares post best week in eight months
- Don’t bet on low rates lasting long
Second wind for mining sector
Since mid-2011 the financial sector has left the resources sector for dead in terms of outperformance, which has largely unwound the near-decade domination by miners during the great commodity price boom.
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 best 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
Fed scales back bond-buying program
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke defends decision to cut aggressive bond-buying program as economy continues making progress.
Euro zone moves towards banking union
Euro zone finance ministers make progress on some details of a plan to close banks, paving the way for completion of a euro zone 'banking union' that aims to restore confidence in the financial sector and boost growth.
Crazy penguins and entrepreneurs
Taking outlandish risks may not be smart investment strategy, but it's how some entrepreneurs thrive. Commentator Christopher Joye has been talking with gambling wunderkind David Walsh about the importance of the extreme.
Gonski to chair ANZ
David Gonski's director duties runneth over and, while he's a strong choice as ANZ chairman, Mike Smith says the appointment shows the shallowness of the talent pool in Australia.
