Fed on taper track as US economy warms
Philip Baker | Never mind the turbulence rocking emerging markets, when the US Federal Reserve decides on Wednesday night whether to make a further cut to its bond-buying program its focus will be on the strengthening US economy. Investors should focus on what the latest numbers are saying about the world’s largest economy.
Local shares jump on emerging markets relief
The Australian share market bounced back on Wednesday after the previous day’s heavy losses, as fears about the instability of emerging markets receded.
Head of investment bank Nicks bids farewell to Investec
Updated | Head of Investec’s local investment banking unit Christian Nicks has resigned from his post and fellow managing director Ben Smith will take the reins.
Access buys $15m of Dampier-Bunbury pipeline debt
Infrastructure investment specialist Access Capital Advisers has purchased $15 million of senior secured notes in the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) on behalf of Prime Super.
ANZ begins sweeping account review
ANZ Bank is conducting a sweeping review all of its home loan, savings and small business accounts to ensure they are operating correctly, after a major glitch forced it to refund $70 million.
Obama sets out to tackle inequality
United States President Barack Obama has attempted to resurrect his ailing leadership and set up a clash with conservative opponents, by vowing to tackle growing inequality by raising wages and introducing a new government-backed savings vehicle for ordinary Americans.
HIP, Prime Super unlikely bedfellows
The $2.3 billion merger between HIP and Prime Super is a stand out for the industry particularly when you look at the key differences between the two.
Korea’s S-Oil in exclusive sale talks to buy United Petroleum
S-Oil Corp, South Korea’s third-largest oil refiner, is in exclusive sale talks to acquire a partial stake in United Petroleum, according to an announcement on the Korean exchange.
Atlas Iron jumps 10pc on guidance upgrade
Atlas Iron shares jumped more than 10 per cent after the iron ore miner reported a strong December quarter and pricing, underpinning a higher than expected guidance on first-half earnings.
Drastic action needed at Forge
Matthew Stevens | After another gloomy market update, Forge has flagged both the potential for what could only be seen as an emergency capital raising and that existing offer would be assessed.
Why nailing that job is taking so long
The competition for jobs is not only tougher since the economic downturn, it has also become more drawn out as candidates are left sweating through a long process of interviews.
Why financial stress is on the rise
Australian consumers won’t be happy Vegemites this year, with financial stress set to increase and households worried about rising health insurance premiums and credit card use.
Android comes to BlackBerry’s aid
At last, BlackBerry 10 phones can run Android apps the way nature intended, without jumping through the hoops they previously had to.
Brokers urge NAB to move on Clydesdale sale
Scotland’s upcoming referendum on independence adds to the pressure on National Australia Bank to exit its British banking operations, according to Bell Potter.
TPG introduces footballers to M&A;
Football players are used to having grounds and grandstands named in their honour, but few would expect a major M&A transaction.
Alibaba maintains mystique amid $US100bn float
Chinese internet giant Alibaba is looking to join the ranks of Google and Microsoft with an initial public offering, but little is known about the company.
Behind the dynasty billions: family offices
Family offices are the hidden force in the investing world – wielding enough capital to make a fund manager blush.
MYOB girds for fight with Xero
MYOB is in the throes of a hiring frenzy, adding 75 staff in as many days to defend its patch against rivals, including Xero.
Saxo taps power of social trading
Danish online trading specialist Saxo Bank has taken the covers off an ambitious new project that aims to harness the power of social media.
Abbott losing favour with men: poll
Federal Labor has pushed further ahead of the Coalition in the polls, with men favouring the Opposition for the first time this parliament.
IKEA spies consumer comeback
World No. 1 furniture maker IKEA Group has said it sees signs of a recovery in consumer spending in many of its markets.
Pressure on Apple for next big thing
Apple’s roster of devices is hitting a sales ceiling; it needs a new product.
Four tactics for intelligent jobseeking
Convincing interviewers you are the employee they want is about more than just a great CV.
Why it’s time for a fixed-rate home loan
Debra Cleveland | Higher-than-expected inflation figures are a warning bell for variable home loans.
National
Coalition seeks ABS chief with financial ‘discipline’
The Australian Bureau Statistics wants as much as $300 million to bail it out its financial straits but it will have to make a case against other struggling government agencies seeking financial rescue.
- Restrict pay to ease resources pain: Sinodinos
- Coalition undecided on Royal Commission: Abetz
- Abbott accuses ABC of working against Australia
- Internet jobs ads slip 1.2pc in December
- Toss restaurant rates onto the scrapheap, say economists
- SPC ‘should get its own house in order’: Abbott
- Scrapping renewable energy goals an expensive move
- Sportingbet, Sportsbet lead return to rugby league
Freer trade needs more than FTAs
Alan Mitchell | A new round of economic reform in Australia would do more for our trade and growth than the hyped-up FTA with Japan due to be signed in July.
Opinion
How NZ became the Saudi Arabia of milk
Fonterra is synonymous with New Zealand’s prosperity and geographic land use.
DIY super entitlement rules confound courts
Many lawyers and even courts don’t seem to fully understand the superannuation prudential regime.
Fed is scapegoat for emerging market pains
John Kehoe | The US Federal Reserve is being widely blamed for the turmoil engulfing emerging markets, but is chairman Ben Bernanke’s taper policy really the root cause of the problems?
World
Obama sets out to tackle inequality
United States President Barack Obama has attempted to resurrect his ailing leadership and set up a clash with conservative opponents, by vowing to tackle growing inequality by raising wages and introducing a new government-backed savings vehicle for ordinary Americans.
- Turkey takes decisive action on rates
- S&P; cuts Ukraine foreign currency ratings
- Lloyds to axe another 1080 jobs in the UK
- US postal reform offers Turnbull roadmap
- New York Bitcoin licences give ASX a push
- Bitcoin spruiker faces money-laundering charges
- US durable goods orders stumble
- IKEA spies consumer comeback
Lorde’s modern tale has a classic backstory
The stunning success of teen Kiwi Lorde at the Grammy Awards is a contemporary tale with an old-fashioned twist.
Business
Access buys $15m of Dampier-Bunbury pipeline debt
Infrastructure investment specialist Access Capital Advisers has purchased $15 million of senior secured notes in the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) on behalf of Prime Super.
- Error forces ANZ to refund $70m, review accounts
- Head of investment bank Nicks bids farewell to Investec
- Atlas Iron jumps 10pc on guidance upgrade
- Financial services industry welcomes FOFA changes
- Forge lowers earnings guidance to a $25m loss
- AP Eagers drives up share price with record prediction
- Air NZ joins Singapore Airlines to fight Qantas-Emirates
- RBC Capital Markets revises RBA forecast
- Qantas appoints Alison Webster as freight head
Big banks’ digital challenge is arriving
The looming arrival of Jack Dorsey’s Square in Australia won’t come as a great surprise to the nation’s banks, which have been bracing for competition by technology players in the payments space.
Technology
Yahoo!’s 4th quarter revenue slides as ad prices dip again
Yahoo!’s online ad prices slid again in the fourth quarter and Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant in which it owns a big stake, saw revenue growth decelerate from its recent rip-roaring pace.
- Big banks’ digital challenge is arriving
- New York Bitcoin licences give ASX a push
- MYOB hopes hiring blitz will help fend off Xero
- Alibaba maintains mystique amid $US100bn float
- Electronic Arts lowers 2015 revenue forecast as older games sales hit
- ‘Bruised’ Deals Direct ready for ASX listing
- Google spends £400m on artificial intelligence start-up
Android comes to BlackBerry’s aid
At last, BlackBerry 10 phones can run Android apps the way nature intended, without jumping through the hoops they previously had to.
Markets
Local shares jump on emerging markets relief
The Australian share market bounced back on Wednesday after the previous day’s heavy losses, as fears about the instability of emerging markets receded.
- $A gets bump up from Turkey’s rate hike
- Aluminium prices struggle despite demand growth
- Central bank moves may not be enough to heal emerging economies
- Why Yellen faces broader challenges than Bernanke
- Turkey takes decisive action on rates
- RBC Capital Markets revises RBA forecast
- Wall St listens for clues in Obama's speech
- S&P; cuts Ukraine foreign currency ratings
- ‘Bruised’ Deals Direct ready for ASX listing
Fed on taper track as US economy fires up
Philip Baker | Never mind the turbulence rocking emerging markets, when the US Federal Reserve decides on Wednesday night whether to make a further cut to its bond-buying program its focus will be squarely on the strengthening US economy.
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
Saxo taps power of social trading
Danish online trading specialist Saxo Bank has taken the covers off an ambitious new project that aims to harness the power of social media.
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
Winter comes early at David Jones
Despite heatwave conditions in parts of Australia, David Jones held its winter fashion show on Wednesday, aiming to entice customers and continue good trading from Christmas.
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.
2014 to shrug off IPO fatigue
Top names such as Healthscope, Medibank Private, and even name brands such as Peters Ice Cream are potential floats this year, and many are strong prospects despite a mixed finish for IPOs last year.
Aussie shares shaky in '14
The dollar's falling, but shorting our stock market is still UBS's favourite play, with better opportunities overseas.
