Test looms for property market
The underlying strength of Melbourne and Sydney’s property markets will get its first true test this weekend with a lift in auction numbers heading into spring. With just under 600 auctions scheduled for Sydney and more than 700 in Melbourne, McGrath Estate Agents chief executive John McGrath believes the market “has at least two years left in its growth cycle” before a plateau.
Macquarie to sell $600m Veda stake
Macquarie Capital will sell a $600 million stake, or 270 million shares, in ASX-listed credit reporting group Veda at $2.15 a share.
Equities flat, $A holding recent gains
Before the Bell | Major global stock indexes are little changed as investors seek fresh reasons to push valuations still higher ■ FTSE up 0.1pc ■ Dow up 0.1pc ■ $A at US93.35¢ ■ SPI futures down 21 pts.
IMF chief charged with negligence
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, one of the world's most powerful women, has been charged with "negligence" over a multi-million-euro graft case relating to her time as French finance minister.
REA took a look at US-listed Trulia
It’s likely REA group, the ASX listed online real estate market place, was in the running to buy Trulia, the NYSE-listed US real estate search company, before rival Zillow finally agreed to acquire the company.
Echo’s never ending Genting story to close
Genting Hong Kong is poised to receive clearance to increase its stake in Echo Entertainment Group before the end of the year, sources say, in a development that could bring to a close two years of waiting.
Banks’ too big to fail safety net may cost billions
The big four banks receive an annual subsidy of up to $4.5 billion from being perceived as “too big too fail” which should be paid for by a levy or increased capital charge, a Murray inquiry submission says.
Rich equally entitled to super tax breaks: SMSF alliance
The $1.8 trillion superannuation industry has defended its generous tax breaks, saying it should not be used as a cash cow to rescue the budget deficit at the cost of healthy retirement savings.
Palmer eyes balance of power in Victorian upper house
Flushed with success in the federal Senate, Clive Palmer is eying off the balance of power in the Victorian Upper House and is confident his party can win according to polling.
The Shire’s property prophet of doom
Lindsay David may sound crazy comparing the leverage of local banks to Lehman Brothers.
Labor needs to see Bill the Bastard
Mark Latham | Opposition leaders who take on tough internal fights are more successful.
Westpac’s game of thrones
Anne Hyland | Big four bank chairmen are never predictable in their choice of CEOs.
Buy-side consortia reshuffle ahead of BG pipeline bids
BG Group’s decision to offer its $4 billion Queensland gas pipeline with management rights attached has prompted a re-think from potential acquirers.
Keating skewers the midgets yet again
Rear Window | Just as Wednesday in Canberra was giving off a Groundhog Day-vibe who should swoop into town but Bob Hawke’s member.
Putting the fun in getting drunk (responsibly)
Life is complicated, and drinking for health is a lame rationalisation. But it’s clear that alcohol can bring both joy and pain.
Buffett inversion challenges Obama
Billionaire Warren Buffett’s financing of Burger King’s $US11.4b purchase of Tim Hortons challenges Obama’s effort to stamp out corporate inversions.
Tablet the top gate-to-gate gadget
Travellers can finally use their personal tech for the entire duration of the flight.
Social media users don’t share opinions: survey
Facebook and Twitter users say they are less likely to share their opinions on hot-button issues, a surprising survey finds.
Apple to launch biggest-screen iPad in 2015
Apple's suppliers are said to be preparing to manufacture the company's largest-ever iPad.
Jeff, Victoria needs you
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Rear Window | One of the perennials of Victorian state politics is the quite rational desire to get Jeff Kennett to return.
Stem cell therapy a primitive art
Jill Margo | Stem cell therapy can be a rough art, but Australian clinics are still offering it for a wide range of conditions.
Australia still can’t handle women in power
Opinion | Australia is still not comfortable with women in power – and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is Exhibit A for the argument.
No limit to gadget use on Qantas, Virgin
Travellers on Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia will be able to keep their electronic devices powered on during all phases of flight from Tuesday.
National
The Shire’s property prophet of doom
Lindsay David may sound crazy comparing the leverage of Australia’s banks to Lehman Brothers and their smooth consistent profits to that of hedge fund fraudster Bernie Maddoff.
- Business concerned by funding of class actions
- Palmer eyes balance of power in Victorian upper house
- ICAC’s chopper squad: when you need privacy
- Bricklaying apprentice numbers at 10-year low
- Eriz Abetz walks away from ‘40 jobs’ demand
- Mining jobs hit by 13pc decline throughout WA
- WA’s “gimmick” future fund queried
- ‘Doom’ scenarios for green energy
Business chiefs push for medical research fund
It’s not usually in business leaders’ interest to weigh into a political fight. But when it comes to health, the rules change.
Opinion
Timing is everything for Whitehaven
Whitehaven Coal is looking ever more like the premier independent mining business that Nathan Tinkler did so much to help design back in 2011.
Super tax figures don’t add up
Jennifer Hewett | No more changes to superannuation ahead of the next election is one promise the Abbott government definitely won’t break.
Westfield Corporation and Lend Lease update strategy
Robert Harley | Westfield Corporation and Lend Lease, two of the leaders of Australian real estate, gave very clear views of strategy at updates on Wednesday.
World
IMF chief charged with negligence
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, one of the world's most powerful women, has been charged with "negligence" over a multi-million-euro graft case relating to her time as French finance minister.
- Big plans in pipeline for Apple’s iPad, iPhone
- Israel, Gaza militants agree to ceasefire
- Belgian beer Westvleteren falls foul of EU rules
- US rules out deal with Assad on strikes
- Crack anti-terror squads at airports
- Dylan basement tapes on new CD
- Papua New Guinea gains support in $1.4b Ok Tedi mine fund row
- Russian troops video challenges Vladimir Putin’s claims
Sardine treatment riles airline passengers
An in-flight fight over legroom that forced a flight to be diverted was the inevitable result of airlines’ attempts to cram ever-more customers on to commercial aircraft.
Business
Big banks unpredictable in choice of CEOs
Westpac head of Australian financial services Brian Hartzer should bear in mind that the big four bank chairmen are never predictable in their choice of CEOs.
- REA took a look at US-listed Trulia
- Banks’ too big to fail safety net may cost billions
- RBA opts to keep interchange fee cap
- Business concerned by funding of class actions
- Results Wrap | Reporting season blog
- WorleyParsons cuts 1700 jobs as net profit falls 23pc
- Dairy giants must merge, says Murray Goulburn boss
- Swing to profit and better outlook sees Boral shares lift
Boral’s Mr Fix It eyes US growth
Chanticleer | Boral’s return to profitability is more to do with the cost-cutting and restructuring under straight-talking boss Mike Kane than any uptick in housing markets. But that is helping.
Technology
Social media gives high-frequency traders an edge
Hedge funds and high-frequency traders are gaining a time advantage through their sophisticated monitoring of social media networks and advanced algorithms that can deliver an edge.
- Labor cries foul on NBN analysis
- Telstra blamed for high Australian internet prices
- Social media users don’t share opinions, says survey
- Fairfax-Nine video venture to take on Foxtel, Netflix
- Apple to launch biggest-screen iPad in 2015
- Tablet the top gate-to-gate gadget
- Dump rural NBN for extra $6b benefits, analysis says
Gear Live Android watch disappoints
Digital Life | The Gear Live is one of those Android Wear watches that’s in the news a lot.
Markets
Equities flat, $A holding recent gains
Before the Bell | Major global stock indexes are little changed as investors seek fresh reasons to push valuations still higher ■ FTSE up 0.1pc ■ Dow up 0.1pc ■ $A at US93.35¢ ■ SPI futures down 21 pts.
- Social media gives high-frequency traders an edge
- Buy-side consortia reshuffle ahead of BG pipeline bids
- S&P; 500 edges to another record high in low volume
- European shares steady, near one-month high
- S&P;’s top economist says it’s time for ECB stimulus
- Greenback consolidating, euro falls on ECB chatter
- Banks stall opening of US derivatives trading platform
- Rich equally entitled to super tax breaks: SMSF alliance
- Reducing disclosure rules will increase risk: ASIC
Wealth gap holds back US economy
Philip Baker | When the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, the economy suffers.
Personal finance
Stock pickers’ guide to the value universe
Finding value in the Australian sharemarket is becoming increasingly like walking a wild path in the Amazon jungle with a machete – there’s a lot to cut through to find El Dorado.
- How to speak the language of money
- High-flyer makes redundancy a path for reinvention
- Aged parents: a simple signature could save money
- Wake-up call for investors in property advisers’ collapse
- Luxe brands see benefit of artistic associations
- How ageing will slow your investment portfolio
- Rules for starting an SMSF pension
- How to pick the best real estate agent
Social media gives high-frequency traders an edge
Hedge funds and high-frequency traders are gaining a time advantage through their sophisticated monitoring of social media networks and advanced algorithms that can deliver an edge.
Lifestyle
Brisbane Fashion Festival connects
This year, more than 7000 fashion fans will be able to buy what they see on the catwalk with just a few clicks.
Melbourne Sheraton a haven for business travellers
Enjoy a boutique feel in this big hotel just steps from Melbourne’s CBD.
Rolls-Royce Phantom no lightweight
Rolls claims that 450 craftsman hours are spent working on the body and interior of each Phantom.
Call of the champions: five top sporting events
These international tournaments are as exhilarating for their sporting prowess as they are gorgeous to watch.
Latest TV
Air Abbott and Rudd 747
Tony Abbott has travelled as much as Kevin Rudd in his first year of office.
Bitcoin's lesser known bit players
Cryptocurrency markets are offering traders the opportunity to cash out on the extreme volatility.
Lend Lease, Seven West and Flight Centre results
Lend Lease has lifted, Seven West is back in the black, and Flight Centre grabs Topdeck
Sony A7S vs Olympus EM10 vs Panasonic GM1
Sony's A7S is heftier than the Olympus OMD-EM10 and Panasonic Lumix GM1. Are the photos worth it?
