Investors drive strongest growth in home values in four years
The housing market ended the year up 9.8 per cent with a median dwelling price of $540,000, led by the super-hot Sydney market, according to full 2013 calendar year figures from RP Data-Rismark.
Manufacturing conditions ‘tough’ as sector shrinks
Activity in Australian manufacturing declined further in December, with few signs that the sector’s situation will improve early in the new year, according to a private survey.
Fund managers tip more modest year for shares
Leading fund managers expect the local equity market will continue to climb in the year ahead, albeit it at a slower pace as investors look for evidence that company earnings growth is improving.
ASX opens higher in first trade for 2014
The ASX rose at the open on Thursday in the first trading session of 2014 and the Australian dollar was trading at US88.92¢, down from the local close at year end.
Super industry needs to be more pro-active
As Australians continue to grow their nest eggs, more than two out of three savers believe superannuation funds should take a more active role in discussing investment issues.
ASIC sharpens focus on insider trading
The corporate regulator is pushing ahead with its focus on insider trading, ramping up efforts to tackle market manipulation with a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its surveillance system.
$A down with longer-term trend pointing lower
The Australian dollar is lower as it resumes its trend downwards sparked by the US Federal Reserve's decision to scale back its economic stimulus program.
Fears of China resources shock abate
Despite a slowdown in the pace of growth, China’s economy is still expanding relatively fast and its demand for Australia’s resource exports seems unlikely to suffer the dramatic fall some have feared.
Three start-ups to watch in 2014
Global investors have increasingly turned their eye to sunnier shores for the next big idea from Australian entrepreneurs and it appears we are more than willing to oblige.
Qld faces crunch year for asset sales: Nicholls
Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls knows 2014 is shaping as crunch time for the Liberal National Party government to decide on whether to embrace asset sales ahead of the 2015 election.
Job market looks up for out-of-work execs
Executives who found themselves jobless in 2013 can breathe a little easier, with experts tipping an improvement in employment prospects in 2014 – particularly for those in the finance sector.
Steve Cohen tries to sell NY condo for $US98m
The hedge fund billionaire and trader Steven Cohen has bought and sold stocks and bonds, modern art and sprawling real estate; now he’s trying to unload his Manhattan condo for $US98 million.
Banker and racing identity in fight for punters’ cash
It was late 2008 when racing identity Bill Vlahos first met investment banker Michael Carsley to sell him on the idea of a punters club whose returns dwarfed those of traditional investment.
What’s ahead for the world in 2014
Experts have consulted their crystal balls to shed light on the biggest questions of 2014. From the winner of next year’s football World Cup to the valuation of virtual currencies.
Rocky Mountain High as Denver sells marijuana legally
Updated | US customers began lining up before dawn in Denver on Wednesday to take part in what they called a historic departure from drug laws focused on punishment and prohibition. Many had flown in to buy a bag of marijuana.
High price for ultra-high-definition TV
Samsung has priced its new 110-inch ultra-high-definition television at $US152,000.
Opportunity glimmers through China’s toxic smog
As China’s smog levels crept past record highs in early December, the phone lines at pollution-busting kit maker Broad Group lit up.
US sites selected to test commercial drones
The prospect of unmanned aircraft flying alongside passenger jets has moved closer to reality in the US.
Schumacher ‘fights for his life’, doctors say
Formula One racer Michael Schumacher is fighting for his life after a skiing accident in the French Alps, his doctors said.
Best New Year’s seats – home and away
A mini-burger, canapés and one of the best seats in the house for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks will set you back $500.
Blackstone invests $200m in Crocs
The company that makes Crocs shoes is getting a $US200 million bailout from a private equity fund, and its CEO is retiring.
Hacker took over BBC server
A hacker secretly took over a BBC computer server then launched a Christmas Day campaign.
Alastair Cook: nice guy, but no leader
Alastair Cook does not have the right personality or tactical awareness for captaincy.
National
Manufacturing conditions ‘tough’ as sector shrinks
Activity in Australian manufacturing declined further in December, with few signs that the sector’s situation will improve early in the new year, according to a private survey.
- Investors drive strongest growth in home values in four years
- Qld faces crunch year for asset sales: Nicholls
- Banker and racing identity in fight for punters’ cash
- ASIC sharpens focus on insider trading
- Guidelines to help lawyers’ depression, anxiety
- Small business tax sting despite mining tax delay
- Tax breaks accelerate cheap sports car sales
- NSW population exodus will make Melbourne No. 1
- Qld urges miners to get started on Galilee basin
How to make your own luck
Real good luck is about attracting good fortune in your every day decisions and a researcher in the UK, Richard Wiseman, has studied what it is that makes some people lucky.
Opinion
The men behind the ABC, News Corp intelligence row
The battle between the ABC and The Australian over the release of classified details of a foreign intelligence operation is the latest in a long war.
Gutsy decisions are the ones that count
The smart ideas and key decisions successful people make that set them up for life.
Aussie firms fail to keep up with technology
Chanticleer | Myer Group’s embarrassing website crash symbolises a year when corporate Australia struggled to keep up with technological and social changes that will only accelerate in 2014.
World
US economy finishes 2013 on a high
Encouraging US data on housing and consumption further vindicates the Federal Reserve’s decision to begin slowing its asset purchases in support of the recovery.
- China manufacturing index slips
- Fiat pays $US2bn to buy Chrysler stake
- Rocky Mountain High as Denver sells marijuana legally
- India opens doors to foreign investors
- Iraqi death toll tops 7800 last year
- A decade to restore trust: Barclays chief
- UK gender pay equality push gathers pace
- Forget something? Your hotel may be able to help
China confident it aced local debt audit
If the Chinese government is embarrassed about its debt burden, it is doing a good job of hiding its blushes.
Business
Super industry needs to be more pro-active
As Australians continue to grow their nest eggs, more than two out of three savers believe superannuation funds should take a more active role in discussing investment issues.
- Fears of China resources shock abate
- A decade to restore trust: Barclays chief
- Singapore leads Asia-Pacific airport construction surge
- Four biotechnology stocks to watch in 2014
- US economy finishes 2013 on a high
- Qld urges miners to get started on Galilee basin
- CBD office sales surge 92 pc in 2013 to $12.4 billion
- What Obamacare means for ASX healthcare stocks
- Asset write-downs loom for goldminers
Job market looks up for out-of-work execs
Executives who found themselves jobless in 2013 can breathe a little easier, with experts tipping an improvement in employment prospects in 2014 – particularly for those in the finance sector.
Technology
Computers learning from own mistakes
Computers have entered the age when they are able to learn from their own mistakes, a development that is about to turn the digital world on its head.
- High price for ultra-high-definition TV
- NSA will keep breaking encryption, White House panel says
- Five ways drones could do some good in 2014
- Panasonic moves beyond the living room
- Spreading bitcoin use
- Billionaire bid to make Silicon Valley a state
- Pay steady for Apple’s Tim Cook but stock award shrinks
- Hacker took over BBC server
- Google and Apple gear up for next mobile battle
2014: the year of the smartwatch
For technological innovation, 2013 was a remarkably boring year. But 2014 has a lot of promise.
Markets
Manufacturing conditions ‘tough’ as sector shrinks
Activity in Australian manufacturing declined further in December, with few signs that the sector’s situation will improve early in the new year, according to a private survey.
- ASX opens higher in first trade for 2014
- Fund managers tip more modest year for shares
- $A down with longer-term trend pointing lower
- Steve Cohen tries to sell NY condo for $US98m
- Four biotechnology stocks to watch in 2014
- China manufacturing index slips
- US economy finishes 2013 on a high
- What’s ahead for the world in 2014
- A year of talking the Australian dollar down
Fears of China resources shock abate
Despite a slowdown in the pace of growth, China’s economy is still expanding relatively fast and its demand for Australia’s resource exports seems unlikely to suffer the dramatic fall some have feared.
Personal finance
Change the way you think about investing
Eight decades ago, economist John Maynard Keynes reputedly remarked: “When the facts change, I change my mind; what do you do sir?” Looking back at the past five years, it is clear some of the “facts” of global finance have been overturned.
Pros and cons of holiday homes
Time away by the beach or in the bush can take an unexpected turn, with plenty of holidaymakers resolving to buy a holiday home. So, if you’re feeling impulsive, here are some things to consider.
Lifestyle
Summer food series 5 | Shane Delia
In this final instalment of our stunning series, Shane Delia of Maha restaurant in Melbourne creates a Middle Eastern feast
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.
Beachside glamour in Rio
Some say a Rio hotel is just for cleaning off the sand. For those who prefer to do so with a marble soaking tub, there’s the Palace.
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.
Latest TV
Australian reporter among 4 detained by Egypt forces
Egyptian security forces have detained an Australian journalist, identified as Peter Greste, and three other reporters for allegedly broadcasting news that was said to harm “domestic security”.
2014 share market preview
Equity Trustees chief investment officer George Boubouras expects US dollar sensitive stocks to drive Australia’s earnings recovery in 2014.
2014 IPO outlook
With the IPO market heating up in the latter half of 2013, Street Talk's Anthony Macdonald looks at the momentum going into next year.
Fed scales back bond-buying program
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke defends decision to cut aggressive bond-buying program as economy continues making progress.
