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Tapering tipped to continue amid emerging market fears

Tapering tipped to continue amid emerging market fears

The Federal Reserve is this week expected to announce it will keep withdrawing its economic stimulus, further pressuring equities already roiled by a flight from emerging markets. Investor sentiment turned strongly bearish last week as emerging markets were hit by both country-specific problems and the realisation that the Fed's trimmed bond-buying program reduces the liquidity that has boosted higher-yielding emerging market assets.

Australia’s Dow Chemical boss Liveris eyes politics

Australia’s Dow Chemical boss Liveris eyes politics

Andrew Liveris, one of Australia’s most successful international business leaders, has revealed he is interested in entering politics after his corporate career ends.

Middle class parents spend a fortune on private schools

Annual fees at private schools outstrip inflation and many parents struggle to keep up, but for a range of reasons they won’t consider the alternative and go to unusual lengths to pay.

$A below US87¢

The Australian dollar fell to US86.81¢ on Saturday morning, extending the slide triggered on Friday by comments from Reserve Bank board member Heather Ridout.

Wall St tumbles on emerging-market concerns

US stocks suffered heavy falls as a rout in emerging market assets spread to developed countries on worries about Fed policy, slowing Chinese growth and political problems in Turkey, Argentina and Ukraine.

JPMorgan increases Dimon's pay to $US20m

JPMorgan increases Dimon's pay to $US20m

Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan’s chief executive, has been awarded total pay of $US20 million for 2013, a huge increase over the amount he received for 2012, according to a regulatory filing.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank makes it big with bonds

In the years that followed the financial crisis, the regional lender was the only bank that didn’t turn to the government for backing in the wholesale debt markets.

A-REITS produce steady income but returns are down

Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts have delivered steady, reliable and, in some cases, growing distributions for mum and dad investors in the first half of 2014.

We’re all the way with USA

We’re all the way with USA

Julie Bishop is unambiguous in her message that America, not China, is Australia’s best friend economically and strategically.

The five stages of sporting grief

Mark Latham | There’s much to be learnt from adversity. My support for the wretched Sydney Thunder in the cricket 20/20 Big Bash has given me a chance to reflect on the five stages of sporting grief.

Cold facts about hot Gold Coast market

Cold facts about hot Gold Coast market

Before you join the ranks of those investors colloquially described as the FOMOs (fear of missing outs), it’s worth taking a closer look at exactly what a Gold Coast real estate investment is and where you should buy.

‘Relentlessly diverting’ Wolf of Wall Street

‘Relentlessly diverting’ Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street brings to life Jordan Belfort, the unscrupulous Wall Street con artist who grows rich on other people’s money.

Let’s free the highway to hi-tech success

Let’s free the highway to hi-tech success

Malcolm Turnbull | There is enormous optimism in Silicon Valley for continued innovation. As the team at Apple reminded me, it has never been easier to start a new company.

Markets Summary

Change % Chg
S&P/ASX 200 5240.9 - 22.1 - 0.42%
Dow Jones 15879.11 - 318.24 - 1.96%
FTSE 100 6663.74 - 109.54 - 1.62%
SPI 200 MAR4 5122.000 - 75.000 - 1.40%
AUD/USD 0.8691 0.0010 + 0.12%

Markets Data »

Price % Chg
MGX MT GIBSON $ 1.040 + 8.33%
EVN EVOLUTION $ 0.620 + 4.20%
NCM NEWCREST $ 9.480 + 3.83%
RSG RESOLUTE $ 0.575 + 3.60%
SXL STHNXMEDIA $ 1.665 + 3.42%

Markets Data »

Price % Chg
TRS REJECTSHOP $ 11.500 - 31.95%
BDR BEADELL $ 0.710 - 11.25%
NST NTH STAR $ 0.890 - 10.10%
JBH JB HI-FI $ 18.290 - 5.67%
RMD RESMED $ 5.000 - 4.94%

Markets Data »

Street Talk

Citi sees likely Santos downgrade, write-down

Citigroup has raised the possibility of downgrades in Santos’ oil and gas reserves and write-downs after the fourth quarter report on Thursday increased guidance for depreciation.

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Aussie shares shaky in '14

The dollar's falling, but shorting our stock market is still UBS's favourite play, with better opportunities overseas.

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National

Most top CEOs privately educated: survey

Most top CEOs privately educated: survey

Two-thirds of the CEOs of Australia’s biggest 100 companies attended private schools – the reverse of the figure for the general population, and AFR Weekend survey has found.

Opinion

Philip Baker

When they’re hybrids, assume nothing

Philip Baker

Like any investment hybrids carry some risk. But quite often they are issued by company’s that are so well regarded and well known the risks are sometimes overlooked or not properly understood.

John Wasiliev

Why structure delivers the best DIY super result

John Wasiliev

Rather than a DIY fund owning a random selection of shares, perhaps a property, some interest-paying investments and the odd exotic investment like gold or artwork, a structured portfolio strategy is being increasingly advocated.

Liberal democracy is the sum of us

Liberal democracy is the sum of us

Australia Day approaches again and it’s time to reflect on what it means to be Australian. Such reflections are linked, of course, to the political issues surrounding the need or otherwise for a governing philosophy for the nation.

World

The facilitators bringing China’s home buyers to Oz

The facilitators bringing China’s home buyers to Oz

Monika Tu ran a successful company importing computer accessories for 20 years before realising the assistance she had been giving to Chinese friends trying to find homes in Australia was a business opportunity in its own right.

Business

Why it takes 14 miners to test a manhole

Why it takes 14 miners to test a manhole

Comedian Xavier Toby tried FIFO mine work and found a world full of safety measures, double-entendre packed terminology and men forbidden from touching their own equipment.

Technology

Lenovo to buy IBM's low-end server unit for $US2.3bn

Lenovo to buy IBM's low-end server unit for $US2.3bn

Chinese PC maker Lenovo Group agreed to buy IBM's low-end server business for $US2.3 billion, mostly in cash, in what is set to be China's biggest technology deal.

Markets

BoE’s Carney backtracks on forward guidance

BoE’s Carney backtracks on forward guidance

Central bank forward guidance is supposed to make life easier for investors. Bank of England governor Mark Carney adopted the policy five months ago, now he’s done a backflip and is abandoning the idea.

Lifestyle

High hopes for Gold Coast property turnaround

High hopes for Gold Coast property turnaround

Late January is auction time for the lifestyle market – and this year things are looking up.

French chefs put family on the menu

French chefs put family on the menu

Young stars of the French culinary scene are rejecting gruelling hours in the kitchen for more time at home.

Desert city of soaring visions and hidden delights

Desert city of soaring visions and hidden delights

Behind the dazzling skyscrapers for which Dubai is famous is a city of tradition and soul – and great food.

Restored Ferrari worthy of the King of Cool

Restored Ferrari worthy of the King of Cool

Steve McQueen is one of the few actors who could back up his fast car film roles with real talent behind the wheel

Latest TV

2014 strategies of top super funds

Australia's top super funds are steering away from equities in 2014, though DIY funds should take care in trying to follow institutional strategies.

Newcrest surprises on production

Newcrest has surprised the market with better than expected production numbers, particularly after falls in the gold price and past mixed results from its mines.

Finance chiefs cautiously optimistic

The latest Deloitte survey of chief financial officers shows more optimism and again a desire for M&A, but cost management is still their top concern.

Inflation nixes rate cut talk

Inflation data for the December quarter was higher than expected, but while a rate cut is now unlikely, the weak economy means a rate increase in 2014 is far from certain.