Ariel Sharon, fierce defender of Israel, dies at 85
Ariel Sharon, one of the most influential figures in Israel’s history, a military commander and political leader who at the height of his power redrew the country’s electoral map only to suffer a severe stroke from which he never recovered, died Saturday in a hospital near Tel Aviv. He was 85.
Centric Wealth sold for $130m
Updated | Financial Index Wealth Accountants has entered into an agreement to buy Centric Wealth creating one of the largest independent financial advisory business with $7.6 billion of funds under advice.
Liberal minister to stand down at poll
Potential Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy is expected to take the safe seat of Bulleen following the announcement by Energy Minister Nicholas Kotsiras on Sunday that he will not contest the next election.
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.
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.
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.
US job growth weakest in three years
US employers hired the fewest workers in almost three years in December, but the setback was likely to be temporary amid signs that cold weather conditions might have had an impact.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
World
US job growth weakest in three years
US employers hired the fewest workers in almost three years in December, but the setback was likely to be temporary amid signs that cold weather conditions might have had an impact.
- Target says data breach hit 70 million of its customers
- Obama names Fischer as Federal Reserve vice chair
- Bank of America revamps work limits after death
- Apple did not violate Google patent, says US court
- Imports help China claim world trade crown
- Pentagon report says Snowden took 1.7m intelligence files
- Christie’s frontrunner Republican position at risk
- EU to Denmark: hold the cinnamon
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
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
Markets
S&P 500 ends higher, led by defensive shares
Updated | The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq ended modestly higher, led by gains in defensive names after a weaker-than-expected payrolls report raised new questions about both the strength of the economy.
- $US falls broadly as data bolsters Fed approach
- Why the big banks will still rule
- Iron ore price and China worries drag ASX down
- USDA catches market off-guard with cut to corn stocks
- US benchmark yields book biggest one-day drop in two months
- Portugal’s yields slip ahead of ratings report
- No end to America’s IPO bonanza
- Contrarians bet vs European periphery's stocks rally
- ‘Sloppy’ tech stock research a disturbing reminder of ’99
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.
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.