Why the big banks will still rule
Christopher Joye | Joe Hockey’s “Son of Wallis” financial system inquiry could have enduring ramifications for the banks that make up one-third of Australia’s sharemarket – but it’s unlikely to champion radical changes that will disrupt the status quo.
Iron ore price and China worries drag ASX down
Shares fell over the week as iron ore and coal miners, Australia’s largest exporters, got smashed five days in a row.
Telstra hit with biggest-ever ACMA fine
Telstra has been hit with a $510,000 fine by the Australian Communications and Media Authority – the biggest penalty ever imposed by the regulator – for failing to connect urban customers with phone lines fast enough.
China export growth below expectations as imports surge
Updated | China’s export growth slowed more than expected in December due to a higher comparison base a year earlier and a clamp-down on speculative activities disguised as export deals.
Forge shares in trading halt
Shares in mining services provider Forge Group, which last month soared by over 50 per cent, have been placed in a trading halt ahead of an update on its financial position next Tuesday.
‘Sloppy’ tech stock research a disturbing reminder of ’99
Many compare today’s present hype for tech stocks with the IT bubble of 1999, but short seller Sahm Adrangi says the most jarring flashback is the incompetence of sell-side brokers.
Warrnambool battle sparks Takeovers Panel plea
The Takeovers Panel has asked for public submissions to shape its guidance note on dividends in takeovers after being forced to intervene in Saputo’s messy offer for Warrnambool.
Santos fined for Pilliga coal seam gas spills
Santos has escaped with a $52,500 fine for failing to report salt water spills from its Pilliga coal seam gas operations in NSW, a fraction of the $1 million maximum potential penalty.
Bond yields may put US recovery at risk
The US Federal Reserve could struggle to keep bond yields from spiking higher if growth tops expectations as it winds down its huge stimulus program, risking a rise in borrowing costs for Americans.
Lend Lease rejects Barangaroo site unsafe after fall
Updated | Listed developer Lend Lease has rejected claims a young man who fell to his death at Sydney’s Barangaroo had not received adequate mentoring or supervision.
Where the economy stands – in 15 charts
Take a look at the data that will help shape the decisions of Australia’s policymakers in 2014, from commodity prices to the housing market.
Samsung Galaxy S5 April release flagged
Samsung will release its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, in the first half of the year along with its next generation smartwatch, its vice president of mobile Lee Young Hee has said.
Billionaire Kerr Neilson predicts Bitcoin success will be nipped in the bud
The respected investor used his popular quarterly commentary to recognise the remarkable rise of the virtual currency.
Wotif fears approach as shares flounder
Wotif.com has caused a few fights over the past few months, but a new year could bring new opportunities.
Circus Oz offers business tips for high-flyers
Founded 35 years ago, Circus Oz is in a period of resurgence – and could teach many businesses a trick or nine.
Aussies face horror Australian Open draw
At first glance, it's a horror Australian Open draw for the Australians. On closer inspection, it's even worse.
Bank bonuses unlikely to rise this year
A mediocre fourth quarter in finance means Wall Street and City bankers are unlikely to improve on their total compensation from 2012.
12 investment gurus and their 2014 tips
Chanticleer | The eclectic work of selected local and global gurus gives some interesting forecasts and investment themes for 2014.
Google+ contacts link to email raises concern
A new feature in Google's Gmail will result in some users receiving messages from people with whom they have not shared their email.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S dazzles round the bends
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On the limit, Porsche’s 911 Carrera 4S generates enough lateral grip to cause bruising. Yet it is surprisingly manageable and forgiving.
Big chill could cost $US5 billion
The American big freeze has put an icy chill on business, as flights are cancelled and people stay home from work.
Radical economics back at the Vatican
Unfettered global capitalism has met its match at last: Pope Francis.
Optus monitors satellites for solar flare impact
SingTel Optus says its satellites are safe from being sizzled by one of the biggest solar flares to erupt from the sun in the past 10 years.
Sony makes a racquet at CES
From tennis racquet monitors to high-definition digital audio products that make quite the racket, Sony has a fair bit of cool new kit on show.
National
New home sales rise boosts housing recovery hopes
New home sales grew 7.5 per cent in November, the highest growth rate in two and a half years, in a “good sign for residential construction activity in 2014”, the HIA has said.
- Robb plays hardball on handouts
- Pyne defends appointment of Labor education critics
- Local retail lobby insists we are buying overseas
- Lend Lease rejects Barangaroo site unsafe after fall
- Fears minimum wage increase will hurt competitiveness
- Tasmania’s Premier fends off early polls
- Medibank Private trials deal to cut members’ GP costs
- Robb spruiks tourism industry to US investors
Trust the people on speed limits
Bureaucrats who are not accountable decide how fast we should drive on our roads. But the driving public may be better at deciding the trade-off between safety and convenience.
Opinion
Asian democracy must serve the common man
After last week’s violence-marred contest in Bangladesh, elections will follow in Thailand, Afghanistan, Indonesia and India.
Bernanke and the era of the Fed
US Fed chair Ben Bernanke’s final press conference on Thursday was fittingly to talk about the central bank’s decision to “taper”.
Ageing road network badly in need of attention
Australia’s hundred of thousands of kilometres of road were built a generation ago and are starting to look the worse for wear.
World
China export growth below expectations as imports surge
Updated | China’s export growth slowed more than expected in December due to a higher comparison base a year earlier and a clamp-down on speculative activities disguised as export deals.
- Unforeseen US oil boom upends markets as drilling spreads
- Europe, UK hold rates amid recovery hopes
- Yellen sees 3pc GDP growth in 2014
- BlackRock ends Wall Street analysis previews
- France's debt load in ‘danger zone’: national audit office
- Afghanistan’s Karzai approves release of prisoners
- Senate majority support Iran sanctions opposed by Obama
- US labour market data suggest economy strengthening
- Big chill could cost $US5 billion
China’s rising labour costs fail to derail exports
China’s export juggernaut has not yet been derailed by fast-rising costs for blue-collar labour, an appreciating currency or foreign investment shifts toward lower-wage Asian countries.
Business
Accept WCB offer or miss out: Saputo chief
Updated | Saputo chief Lino Saputo Jnr has warned Warrnambool Cheese & Butter shareholders they must move quickly to accept his company’s final offer or risk missing out on their $9 a share in cash.
- Telstra hit with biggest-ever ACMA fine
- Forge shares in trading halt
- Santos fined for Pilliga coal seam gas spills
- Ten in the dark about share price surge
- Alcoa reports loss after $US1.7bn impairment charge
- Fiji Airways looks to Australia in aiming for new level
- NAB could sacrifice MLC for bottom line
- 21st Century Fox seeks removal of ASX listing
- Robb plays hardball on handouts
Alcoa fines send corporate bribery warning
Chanticleer | The hefty legal settlements Alcoa has been forced to dish out over a long-running bribery case sends a clear message to Australian companies facing potential corruption charges in offshore jurisdictions.
Technology
Samsung Galaxy S5 release flagged for April
Samsung will release its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, in the first half of the year along with its next generation smartwatch, its vice president of mobile Lee Young Hee has said.
- ‘Sloppy’ tech stock research a disturbing reminder of ’99
- Google+ contacts link to email raises concern
- Mobile revenues likely to grow by $500m
- IBM focuses on Watson as big data saviour
- Snapchat apologises, updates app after hack
- Piracy fears remain as China lifts video game ban
- Ultra HD next step for TV revolution
- Essential privacy tips for Facebook, Google+, Twitter users
- Westpac CTO Jacobs out in exec reshuffle
12 investment gurus and their 2014 tips
Chanticleer | The eclectic work of selected local and global gurus gives some interesting forecasts and investment themes for 2014.
Markets
Iron ore price and China worries drag ASX down
Shares fell over the week as iron ore and coal miners, Australia’s largest exporters, got smashed five days in a row.
- Cautious trade for $A ahead of US jobs report
- ‘Sloppy’ tech stock research a disturbing reminder of ’99
- Bond yields may put US recovery at risk
- China export growth below expectations as imports surge
- ECB stands ready to act for recovery
- New home sales rise boosts housing recovery hopes
- Forge shares in trading halt
- Concerns linger around economy’s mining hangover
12 investment gurus and their 2014 tips
Chanticleer | The eclectic work of selected local and global gurus gives some interesting forecasts and investment themes for 2014.
Personal finance
Household wealth hits new record
A combination of rising house prices, surging equity markets and an entrenched savings culture pushed average Australian household wealth to a record $872,000 in 2013, according to Outlook Economics.
You’re not the only one hiding money from loved ones
If you are married or in a de facto relationship and you have a hideaway stash of your own cash, you’re not alone, but there are far healthier ways to do things. You’re part of about 3 per cent of those in a live-in relationship who quietly say they have a bank account their partner knows nothing about.
Lifestyle
The five most luxurious rail journeys in the world
The best luxury long-distance train journeys allow passengers to travel back in time to a bygone era but don’t forget it’s 2014.
Chef Hirokazu Yano’s quest for perfection
Hirokazu Yano started his chef’s life washing pans, floors, bathrooms. In Japan it is almost the norm.
Indulge in the arts in exquisite places
Culture weekends are a popular way for patrons to experience classical music and dance in gorgeous natural settings.
Porsche’s dazzling performer shares the power
On the limit, Porsche’s 911 Carrera 4S generates enough lateral grip to cause bruising. Yet it is surprisingly forgiving.
Latest TV
Super flows slow
As boomers hit retirement, super funds are being drained at record rates creating the risk a superannuation sector where less money is coming in than is being paid out.
Why Atlassian won't float here
High profile Australian software developer Atlassian has plenty of reasons to float in the United States rather than on the local bourse.
Qantas downgraded again
Moody's has downgraded Qantas to junk status, with the airline's decreasing cash reserves sure to worry investors. Although the move shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Property outlook
Australian Property Monitors' Dr Andrew Wilson and Belle Property's Matthew Smythe look at what 2014 will bring for the property sector.
