New fund to invest $60m in IT sector
Two of Australia’s best known technology investors - former Microsoft executive Daniel Petre and his business partner Craig Blair - have closed a new $60 million fund to invest in early growth-stage tech companies, taking just three months to find the money in a sign of investors’ hunger to expand their portfolios into disruptive players.
IPO pipeline is ‘bulging’ at $2.5b
The slight rise in Healthscope’s shares on their return to the local sharemarket on Monday will likely act as a barometer for the more than $2.5 billion of floats that remain in the hefty pipeline this year.
Qantas keeps flying over Iraq while Emirates avoids
Qantas Airways has no plans to stop flying over Iraqi airspace on its Dubai-London flights based on its latest security assessments, despite alliance partner Emirates flagging plans to stop flying there.
Queensland prepares for $33.6b selldown
There’s about a week until investment banks lodge submissions into the largest pitching process in Australian corporate history – and there is confusion up and down the street.
Select apartment high-rises to get NBN in September
The first apartment buildings to benefit from NBN Co’s plan to take on TPG Telecom in the battle for high-rise broadband services will be switched on in September, according to a rollout list released by Telstra.
Kiwi professor rejects LVRs as house-price dampener
A Kiwi banking academic has slammed the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s loan-to-value ratio policy, warning Australia off adopting similar macroprudential rules.
More uranium on way for WA
A proposed uranium mine has been given a green light from West Australia’s environmental watchdog but the development may be put on hold until depressed prices for the controversial commodity recover.
Call for Abbott to scrap tax breaks for the rich
The business and tax community say rather than raise the top marginal tax rate the Abbott government would be better off targeting a host of tax breaks that advantage the rich.
Healthscope employees earn $18m in float
Healthscope chief executive Robert Cooke has lead a team of 54 employees who are now at least $18 million richer following the company’s $3.6 billion float.
Bespoke strategies key to retail success
In the garment game, bespoke management strategies are key to sustainable success.
Olympian challenge for BHP
A change in technology may be key to unlock the value of mammoth Olympic Dam project.
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Airport rides may be a million dollar idea
While booking a flight and hotel is easy, often moving between is not. Jayride may fill the void.
Macphersons Resources seeks to raise $10.4m
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Macphersons Resources is seeking to raise up to $10.4 million in an ASX BookBuild led by Argonaut Securities.
LG G3 sharpens up to outsprint rivals
If ever there was a phone to test the limits of your powers of observation, LG’s new G3 smartphone would have to be the one.
Dendy launches streaming service
Independent cinema chain Dendy is joining the race to capture the online viewing time of Australians with a new video on demand streaming service.
Gates’ tertiary tips in a class of their own
There are people at all levels in universities who don’t appreciate what Bill Gates has to say.
Big Mac Index finds $A value accurate
Exporters may be bemoaning the ‘stubbornly high’ Australian dollar, but according to the Big Mac Index, its valuation is spot on.
John McGrath masters the art of playing both sides
Rear Window | You have to admire Sydney real-estate king John McGrath.
Andrew Demetriou to lead Acquire Learning
The former AFL boss has agreed to take a leadership role at a fast-growing online education firm that could be headed for a sharemarket listing.
A bit of Bolt with your breakfast
Andrew Bolt is getting his hair cut and talking politics, media and climate change. And his television show, The Bolt Report.
An economist’s guide to online dating
Andrew Leigh | What’s a desperate and dateless economist to do? The economics of dating comes down to three simple rules.
Reinventing the thong with a crowd
Five Gen Y mates have invented a thong with interchangeable straps and a promise of no more blowouts.
Quiz | Low rates, growth and comments
Test how much you know about Treasurer Joe Hockey’s awkward week, interest rates and the new low reached in talk-back radio.
National
Australia wasted resources boom: BCA
Updated | Governments need to rethink their role in the economy by encouraging industries that have natural advantages – such as agriculture, mining, energy, tourism and education, the Business Council of Australia says.
- Call for Abbott to scrap tax breaks for the rich
- More uranium on way for WA
- Queensland prepares for $33.6b selldown
- Economist Jeremy Lawson says Australia frittered away mining boom benefits, faces safe haven status loss
- Liberal donors to take centre stage at NSW corruption hearing
- Orica fined $750,000 for ‘freaky’ pollution incidents
- Adani’s $16.5b mine closer
- CITIC drops case against Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy
Tony, Joe – let’s get focused
Jennifer Hewett | Dear Tony and Joe, we know you are busy trying to get a busted budget through the Senate.
Opinion
Shares rebound and the seven-year itch
It’s now been almost seven years since the major S&P ASX 200 index reached its all time high, making this market recovery the slowest on record.
For BHP boss it could be Eureka!
Is this Andrew Mackenzie’s Eureka moment? Technologies that hold a key to the future of the world’s biggest single minerals deposit.
Next wave of growth will come niche by niche
David Dyer | Australia is at a crossroads. Productivity growth has been mediocre, putting national prosperity at risk.
World
UN calls for Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations Security Council called for “an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire” in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas at an emergency meeting just after midnight on Monday morning in New York.
- Time running out for Ukraine search
- Post-revolt Libya is coming undone
- Reddit tries to grow up but not sell out
- Experts lead Joko finance job list
- FIFA sponsors averse to pushing reforms
- Startups in India streamline auto-rickshaw business
- China property slowdown prompts fresh use of builder bonds
- Maliki’s days are numbered
- Loyalties unmoved by crash
Ebola spreads as villagers’ fears halt aid
The deadly Ebola virus is believed to have infected several people in the village of Kolo Bengou, and some locals are blocking the path to prevent health workers from entering.
Business
Elders comes up with eight points to make $60m
Rural services group Elders has announced an eight point plan to generate sustainable earnings of $60 million and return on capital of 20 per cent by financial year 2017.
- BHP Billiton to trial heap leaching at Olympic Dam
- Qantas keeps flying over Iraq while Emirates avoids
- Kiwi professor rejects loan-to-value ratios as house-price dampener
- Healthscope shares rise 5 per cent on $3.6 billion float
- Melbourne’s $8b East West Link tunnel too risky: Leighton
- Kevin Perkins still has a taste for KFC
- CBA confident in ability to beat tech start-ups
- ARCA guidelines aim to alleviate concerns
Myer conman Andrew Flanagan charged with fraud
The US businessman sacked by Myer on his first day after allegedly falsifying his credentials has been charged by Victorian police with fraud.
Technology
New fund to invest $60m in IT sector
Serial technology investor and former Microsoft executive Daniel Petre and his business partner Craig Blair have closed a new $60 million fund to invest in early growth-stage tech companies.
- Get cracking on forgotten passwords or locked docs
- IT’s productivity paradox explained
- CBA confident in ability to beat tech start-ups
- Sydney start-up Local Measure lures former Twitter executive
- Bartercard parent to list on ASX at $58.5m
- How getting away from the airport could be a million dollar idea
- Internet surveillance scheme costs could soar
- Dendy streaming service targets local pirates and Netflix fans
- Seven West’s video-on-demand puzzle
Could this little brick save your skin?
Phones that can fully recharge in 15 minutes are still a distant dream. In the meantime there’s the Unu Ultrapak.
Markets
ASX dips as confession season starts
Shares eased after company reporting season got off to a disappointing start, with fund managers and equity strategists eager for evidence that the sharemarket’s recent six-year highs are justified.
- $A slips on fading support, US focus
- Bartercard parent to list on ASX at $58.5m
- Bet on shares over property says Platinum
- Fundies’ faith at stake as reporting season looms
- Iron ore set to deliver profits before earnings’ slide bites
- Wall Street’s master fishermen are betting on a storm
- Greater transparency measures favoured in yuan trading band
- Freeport gets permit to export Indonesian copper
Big Mac Index finds $A value accurate
Exporters may be bemoaning the ‘stubbornly high’ Australian dollar, but according to the Big Mac Index, its valuation is spot on.
Personal finance
Negotiating the fast-money minefield
Be very, very wary of any fast money investment scheme. It’s the old saying: “If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.” There are no easy ways to financial security.
- Best policy to keep your children covered
- How we are becoming a free agent nation
- Fund managers spill the beans on returns
- Downsizing made simple: the value of a buyers’ agent
- Beat the IPO market at its own game
- Low market volatility no reason to rest on your laurels
- Do the sums on the true cost of private schools
- What it feels like to have a private plane
Forgo those heels for when love doesn’t last
With a least a third of marriages ending in divorce, there are essential rules women must take to heart to create a financially sustainable life for themselves.
Lifestyle
Bentley: big, beautiful, features galore
Those who slowed to guess the important person in the rear might have been surprised to find it was my nine-year-old son.
Stockholm’s new Nordic pride
36 hours in Sweden’s capital provides ample evidence for why the locals love their city so much.
Simplicity the essential ingredient
Celebrated chef Justin North is making local produce the star of a nationwide initiative.
Which cutting-edge design trends are here to stay?
Industrial influences, plywood, copper pendant lights and mismatched tiles: are they timeless or trendy.
Latest TV
Companies and institutional investors must talk
Businessman David Gonski reinforced the need for companies to communicate with their investors.
Charity Fund to help children at risk
A new charity fund created to help children at risk, doesn't charge investors annual fees.
Aussies love their 'tap-and-go' payments
In supermarkets, as much as 70 percent of credit and debit card transactions are now contactless.
Livingstone wants more Telstra time
Catherine Livingstone's decision to stay on has implications for CEO David Thodey too.
