Why you must look beyond the dividend
Compared with our global peers, here in Australia investors are fixated with dividends and dividend yields. There is more to equities, however.
Bonds are back in 2014
BlackRock CIO says Fed policy has made fixed income a less dangerous proposition.
Banks at risk of housing bubble
Former government economist says surging housing market is close to overheating.
More pain for bank stocks flagged
Shares in CBA, ANZ , Westpac and NAB fell below their 200-day moving average this week.
Ensuring a smooth transition to retirement
A TRIP scheme can offer much needed flexibility, boost coffers and even reduce your income tax bill.
Overnight: Wall St jumps
Solid US economic data and some upbeat US earnings buoy markets.
Where the small-cap king is investing now
The returns on David Paradice’s top-performing small-cap fund have been generated by a gutsy, counter-cyclical approach. Following a characteristic bet on mining services at the bottom of the market, he explains why he got cold feet.
Australian Equity Indices
| Points | Change | % Change | Value | Volume |
| S&P;/ASX 200 | 5,166.5 | + 35.1 | + 0.68% | $ 4,332,381,772.0 | 665,802,387.0 |
| ALL ORDINARIES | 5,184.5 | + 37.1 | + 0.72% | $ 4,436,519,294.0 | 930,819,571.0 |
| S&P;/ASX 100 | 4,289.0 | + 26.6 | + 0.62% | $ 3,977,987,990.0 | 490,934,983.0 |
| SMALL ORDS | 2,142.0 | + 35.6 | + 1.69% | $ 429,220,953.0 | 327,916,443.0 |
What the brokers missed on Echo
Anyone who followed the expert advice on the outlook for Echo Entertainment is now wishing they hadn’t.
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Market Summary
Currencies
| AUD | USD | EUR | JPY | GBP | |
| AUD |  |
0.8957 | 0.6571 | 91.66 | 0.5457 |
| USD | 1.1158 |  |
0.7336 | 102.33 | 0.6092 |
| EUR | 1.5206 | 1.3628 |  |
139.46 | 0.8303 |
| JPY | 0.0109 | 0.0098 | 0.0072 |  |
0.0060 |
| GBP | 1.831 | 1.6409 | 1.2037 | 167.91 |  |
Stock price lookup
Shares
Shares end week lower despite strong day
Shares finished the week lower despite rebounding strongly on Thursday and Friday after some better than expected local economic data and interim company results that cheered investors.
Be on the look out for KGL
Extremely promising exploration results bode well for share price of group.
The ongoing battle for Liberty
An intriguing struggle for control at board level is under way at this WA-based explorer.
Property
Why negative gearing is bad policy
In an ideal world, tax policy would not influence the investment decisions taxpayers make.
Banks at risk of housing bubble
Former government economist says surging housing market is close to overheating.
Small CBD ownership challenges grow
Weak demand for office leasing is hurting owners of small inner-city office buildings.
Topics
Fixed Income
Gross says China remains a mystery
Uncertainty about China’s growth this year is adding to investors’ unease, says PIMCO head.
Bonds are back in 2014
BlackRock CIO says Fed policy has made fixed income a less dangerous proposition.
RBA moves in on hike
Move towards a neutral monetary stance could see rates rise for first time since 2010 this year.
Specialist Investments
BlackRock sees more pain for $A
World’s biggest fund manager says RBA faces extended battle to balance economy.
More $A weakness expected
RBA’s John Edwards says risks of currency stoking inflation will need to be monitored.
US oil majors zero in on Australia
ExxonMobil scouring Cooper Basin for opportunity to get foothold in the region.
Topics
Market Intelligence
Should you be bullish about 2014?
There are some reasons for near-term caution in the year ahead.
Why you must look beyond the dividend
Compared with our global peers, here in Australia investors are fixated with dividends and dividend yields. There is more to equities, however.
The hidden pocket of safety in Australian equities
SSgA advisor says this sector offers respite from the economic factors currently terrorising local shares.
Superannuation
Super fees to fall by a third
MySuper program to slash 30 per cent off super fees within three years, SuperRatings claims.
How to rate your super fund
Analysts believe it’s a good time to consider switching from your balanced or growth superannuation fund.
The flaw in super contribution rules
Super lobby groups are seeking reforms based on fairness and reduced complexity ahead of the federal budget.
Topics
New Investor
If you’re looking for a buyout premium (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) there’s one listed company practically begging to be taken over. The catch is, you have to go to Asia. JobStreet touts itself as the largest employment market place in South East Asia, is listed on the Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities exchange and is 22 per cent owned by Australian company, SEEK. SEEK owns a rival jobs platform in Asia called JobsDB, but we reckon – in its quests for domination in the fast growing Asian jobs market place – SEEK will move quickly to take out JobStreet and consolidate its advantage in the region before anyone else can.
McPherson’s hit by emerging industry trends
Shares in McPherson’s were sold down heavily at the end of January after the company provided a market update pointing to higher promotional costs and a greater emphasis on private-label products.
Clearing & Settlement
This week, ASIC passes the parcel, SPC drops a workplace bomb and Hockey catches the austerity bug.