Telstra eyes $3bn Sensis sell-off
Telstra is in discussions to sell its Sensis directories business for as much as $3 billion as the telecommunications giant sheds the last vestiges of its traditional media operations in favour of technology services and bundled telephony packages with pay television operator Foxtel.
Olympic Dam gaffes leave miners unsure of PM
BHP doesn’t want to be reminded of its languishing $34 billion expansion project in SA – so why does Tony Abbott keep bringing it up?
Bidders see value in Shell cast-offs
While Royal Dutch Shell may be keen to quit refining and marketing of fuels in Australia it has found no shortage of potential bidders for all or part of its downstream business.
Murray Goulburn considers $10 WCB bid
Victorian dairy farmer co-operative Murray Goulburn is considering raising its $500 million-plus takeover bid for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter to about $10 a share.
How ‘Project Pho’ put DEXUS ahead in CPA bid
It was a phone call by GPT Group chief executive Michael Cameron to his counterpart at Dexus Property Group on December 23 that spurred advisers into action.
Malcolm Turnbull to study postal service reform in US
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is heading to the United States to discuss postal service reform with officials in Washington, and meet technology companies in Silicon Valley.
Weak wages growth blows hole in budget
Australia has recorded the worst monthly wages growth since the global financial crisis, blowing a further $2.5 billion hole in the federal budget amid a continued slowing of the economy.
No end to America’s IPO bonanza
As 2013, the best year for IPOs in America since 2004, was drawing to a close, new opportunities were dropping from the sky like snowflakes – and continue to do so.
Alcoa bears brunt of bribery crackdown
The hefty legal settlements aluminium producer Alcoa has been forced to dish out over a long-running bribery case have raised alarms bells for other companies facing potential corruption charges.
Fox gives ‘two-finger salute’ to investors
Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox had $1.4 billion slashed from its market value in Australian trade, as investors rushed for the exit ahead of a likely de-listing from the local bourse.
How your kids can get a home of their own
For first-home buyers, the property ladder’s first rung has never seemed so far out of reach. But parents can help bridge the gap – not just with financial assistance, but with solid advice.
Resources, banks key for investors seeking gains
Philip Baker | The optimism of the past 18 months is tinged with a warning investors can’t expect similar gains this year. But for long-term investors there shouldn’t be too many problems.
‘The best parts aren’t visible’: Sydney’s rule-breaking $60m waterfront property
With squillion-dollar views, direct beach access and a harbourside infinity pool, Andrew Ipkendanz’s home is expected to break sales records, just as it’s broken a few design rules.
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.
Queensland’s ugly underbelly
As police smash Gold Coast gangs, an ugly underbelly is exposed at the fabled holiday destination and playground of rich retirees
Short run in, top delivery
In an era of management speak, a man with a fondness for a beer and a smoke with the nickname “Boof” has helped change the national cricket team’s fortunes.
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.
National
Medibank Private trials deal to cut members’ GP costs
Updated | Government-owned insurer Medibank Private has struck a controversial deal with a chain of Queensland medical clinics that incentivise GPs to bulk-bill its customers.
Senator Bernardi riles the Liberals’ liberals
South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi may not have intended his latest book – The Conservative Revolution – to add to political problems for his friend and sometime cultural ally Tony Abbott, but its publication is awkward for the prime minister drawing attention, as it does, to fissures in the party over profound moral and social questions.
Opinion
Industry welfare never works out
Editorial | The Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb’s rejection of all lobbying for subsidies for struggling businesses is a welcome one, as is his declaration that the government’s role to help companies resist structural change. Instead, the government’s role is to make that change less “bruising” for those affected by it.
Striving for balance with free speech
Here’s a suggestion for Attorney General George Brandis as he contemplates a testing 2014 agenda: include framing a constitutional amendment that would acknowledge indigenous Australians as the first peoples in the Constitution.
Yellen’s real-world focus a solid fit for the Fed
With her confirmation as chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen has become a global powerbroker – and it’s a title for which she’s well-qualified.
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 closes labour camps
China appears to have fulfilled a promise to dismantle hundreds of labour camps and release tens of thousands of people who were imprisoned in them without trial.
Business
Telstra eyes $3bn Sensis sell-off
Telstra is in discussions to sell its Sensis directories business for as much as $3 billion as the telecommunications giant sheds the last vestiges of its traditional media operations in favour of technology services and bundled telephony packages with pay television operator Foxtel.
- Olympic Dam gaffes leave miners unsure of PM
- Bidders see value in Shell cast-offs
- Murray Goulburn considers $10 WCB bid
- How ‘Project Pho’ put DEXUS ahead in CPA bid
- Speeding up reform not an option
- CPA bid ends in tie between DEXUS, GPT
- Hochtief restructure raises questions for Leighton
- New A-REITs lose their IPO sparkle
- Glomesh grandson reinvents an Australian fashion icon
Alcoa bears brunt of bribery crackdown
The hefty legal settlements aluminium producer Alcoa has been forced to dish out over a long-running bribery case have raised alarms bells for other companies facing potential corruption charges.
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
Personal 3D devices capture the public’s imagination
In consumer electronics, there’s a shorthand way of suggesting a technology that’s strongly promoted by manufacturers might be rejected just as strongly by consumers: all you have to do is raise the spectre of 3D TV, the technology that the electronics industry was mad keen on two or three years ago, but which ultimately was all but ignored by the public.
Markets
Iron ore price and China worries drag ASX down
Updated | 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.
