Special Reports
Private banking
![Private banking](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/788122402--90x60.jpg)
Economic growth has picked up as 2013 draws to a close and the outlook for 2014 is further improvement in growth from the advanced economies, says Giles Keating, head of research and deputy global chief investment officer at Credit Suisse.
202020 Vision
![202020 Vision](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/3_30_1512_N116_printstd--90x60.jpg)
In recent years the amount of green space in Australian urban areas has been shrinking, so the Nursery and Garden Industry Association of Australia this month launched an initiative aimed at increasing urban green space by 20 per cent by 2020.
Online trading
One of the major phenomena of this century so far in the Australian investment scene is definitely the rise of the self-directed investor.
Creative Innovation
![Creative Innovation](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-69hiy4cenxk16ez42nd-220--90x60.jpg)
Bringing down the curtain on Melbourne’s spring racing and annual arts festival is an event designed to stimulate both sides of the nation’s brain, especially in the world of business.
Future workplace
![Future workplace](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-4y3bprn561011mpnl5ho-117--646x363_6_1_72315814--90x60.jpg)
A new report by Deloitte Access Economics and commissioned by Google Australia says local businesses need to lift their IT game if they want to remain competitive.
Inflection point
![Inflection point](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/A67C1711--90x60.jpg)
As China’s recent slightly-lower-than-predicted March quarter growth numbers attest, as well as the volatile reaction of markets globally, the world may be on the verge of another change.
Taking control of your retirement
![Taking control of your retirement](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-56jdo3a2xb81g3vv35xe-073--90x60.jpg)
Setting up a DIY super fund is popular – and the sector is growing faster than any other. Make sure it’s the appropriate way for you to invest.
Understanding Exchange Traded Funds
![Understanding Exchange Traded Funds](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-66iyfhr7aogai29m4l4--90x60.jpg)
If you’re a local investor looking for value this year, one of your big questions might be: how passive or active do you want to be in the market? ETFs may provide an answer.
Taking Stock
![Taking Stock](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/safety_first_in_investing--90x60.png)
It’s been a year in defence as investors sought yield and bought shares which looked (to them) like bonds. Across the equities, ETFs, bonds, CFDs and FX markets, the themes were the same and commentators in each field are not forecasting a change in play any time soon.
Australia’s Energy Future
![Australia’s Energy Future](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/TRHkg7576134-8188-8428--90x60.jpg)
Australia’s energy future is inextricably tied to the region we live in. When it comes to energy demand, Asia is the engine of global growth with 62 per cent of the growth for liquefied natural gas and 94 per cent of oil slated to come from the region by 2020.
Sustainable Business
![Sustainable Business](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-66gwcelzt3k16ufxt4l4--90x60.jpg)
International business leaders are taking a close look at renewable energy in a bid to reduce price shocks and improve the bottom line.
Corporate Innovation
![Corporate Innovation](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/WEB_SR_CORP INNOV--90x60.jpg)
Australian companies are cashed up again, thanks largely to staff cuts. But there’s also a big focus on strategy.
Mobility
![Mobility](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/20120327_Distracted_driver--90x60.jpg)
Ever since developers and engineers started to use their IT innovations to deliver services to others there has been conflict. Indeed, the challenge of meeting end users’ desires is a perennial issue felt acutely by IT professionals.
Forex trading
![Forex trading](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/TRHkg4119371--U30940628966mfG-289x152_3_0_947593812-028--90x60.jpg)
The foreign exchange market remains one of the few buoyant trading areas in this environment, thanks largely to the continuing strength of the Australian dollar.
Business travel
![Business travel](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/Retouched/syd-52lyr3dfk2cb8we55t8--90x60.jpg)
Organisations with large business travel budgets will need to keep an eagle eye on costs in 2013 and many will have little choice but to be more strategic in the way they buy travel services.
Global investor
![Global investor](/web/20140125141602im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Photos/syd-5now6up0rt4nig1w8ev--90x60.jpg)
Investing offshore can deliver rewards. Mark Lawson explains how fund managers avoid some of the pitfalls.