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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Six ways to beat the taxman
Tax-minimising strategies are right under your nose. They’re widely available and can make a significant difference to your overall wealth.
DJs goes red and gold to woo Chinese tourists
David Jones is hoping that windows dressed in red and gold, Jimmy Choo shoes and the fair face of model Jessica Gomes will entice shoppers.
How to make a monster like Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga, one of the biggest acts in pop music and probably the most outrageous, was no overnight success.
Australia ranks 13th in world innovation
Australia is the world’s 13th most-innovative country in R&D, tertiary education, patents and manufacturing with the US on top.
Want to earn more? Study humanities
Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein believes students have lost a valuable skill in business. And it comes from studying humanities.
Apple may play catch-up with bigger-display iPhones
Updated | Rumours have re-emerged overnight in the US that Apple is set to break the iPhone mould and go bigger – but it could be too late.
Nokia hands Microsoft some bad numbers
Microsoft’s push into smartphones may not have the best start after Nokia, which is selling its handset division to the US giant, said sales fell 29 per cent.
Pope calls internet ‘a gift from God’
It may sometimes be a breeding ground for pornographers, bullies and extremists, but Pope Francis has called the web a “gift from God”.
High hopes for Gold Coast property turnaround
Late January is auction time for the lifestyle market – and this year things are looking up.
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
National
US80¢ ‘magic spot’ for $A, says RBA’s Ridout
Reserve Bank of Australia board member Heather Ridout said the dollar must fall to a “magic spot” between US80 and 85cents, but warned that gains to the economy would only flow if the drop were matched by wage and cost restraint.
- Lifestyle markets swing into auction action
- SA double holiday pay: penalty rates double dip
- Bishop sees US, not China, as top economic partner
- Chinese New Year boost gives businesses reason to celebrate
- Lawyers in fraud trial focus on Thomson’s state of mind
- Don’t bring politics into project selection: Albanese
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
When they’re hybrids, assume nothing
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.
Why structure delivers the best DIY super result
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
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
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.
- Google's Gmail down for users around the world
- Kerry rejects notion US disengaging from world
- Big Four firms, China in talks over audit impasse
- Goldman considers new ‘chat’ limits on employees
- Usmanov tightens hold on Russian social net VKontakte
- Smart money picks sectors in pricey HK
- No word on new CEO as Microsoft announces profit rise
- White House threatens Ukraine with sanctions
- Lenovo to buy IBM's low-end server unit for $US2.3bn
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
Vodafone Australia appoints new CEO
Updated | Vodafone Hutchison Australia has brought in Vodafone Romania’s chief executive, Iñaki Berroeta, to be its new chief executive officer, replacing Bill Morrow who will leave to lead NBN Co.
- Burdett departure forces ANZ Treasury shake-up
- Investors wary about any Qantas frequent flyer float
- AACo promotes Jason Strong to CEO
- Bendigo and Adelaide Bank makes it big with bonds
- Tiger results might prove a drag on Virgin profit
- Reject Shop reconsiders mall stores after share plunge
- A-REITS produce steady income but returns are down
- Newcrest at risk of up to $3bn writedown: RBC
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
Apple set to report record holiday season
Apple may notch its most successful holiday shopping season yet when it reports quarterly results on Monday in the US, setting records for sales of its gift-friendly iPhones and iPads.
- Google's Gmail down for users around the world
- Usmanov tightens hold on Russian social net VKontakte
- Samsung Q4 profit down as one-off bonus take a slice
- No word on new CEO as Microsoft announces profit rise
- Goldman considers new ‘chat’ limits on employees
- Nokia hands Microsoft some bad numbers
- Microsoft to allow offshore data storage
- Pope calls internet ‘a gift from God’
- Retailers challenged as technology gets personal
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
How good are analyst calls?
Overall, broker analyst calls are worth following – but average analyst outperformance hides some less flattering numbers.
- $A below US87¢
- Wall St tumbles on emerging-market concerns
- JPMorgan increases Dimon's pay to $US20m
- Argentina surprises markets by relaxing FX controls
- European shares drop on heightened Latam worries
- Copper hits month low on signs of slowing China growth
- Gold spike just a blip on the way down: UBS
- China worries spark share sell-off ahead of earnings
- Corporate cash holdings hit record highs
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.
Personal finance
Six ways to beat the taxman
Tax-minimising strategies are right under your nose. They’re widely available and can make a significant difference to your overall wealth.
- Investment fraud a ‘significant threat’ for Australia
- Wealth management heavyweights court SMSF trustees
- Meet the wedding planner
- Big, brash houses selling at a discount
- Winery dreams can soon turn sour
- What the charts predict for the market in 2014
- Life expectancy a ticking time bomb for household savings
- Superannuation sledging bound to step up a notch in 2014
- The thousand-dollar fines you’ll get for breaking the SMSF rules
Inflationary pressure to slow housing market
Oh dear. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s worst nightmares, which this column has canvassed for some time, could be coming to fruition more quickly than most expected.
Lifestyle
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
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
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
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.
