Nearly three-quarters of all actively managed investment funds focusing on the top 200 stocks underperformed cheaper 'passive investment' index funds over the past five years, according to S&P; Dow Jones.

Bond markets keep defying market expectations of a pull-back, and are still proving to be one of the best performing asset classes of the year amid renewed weakness in the global economy.

The Australian dollar has hit a two-week high, after the Reserve Bank signalled it would not change the cash rate in the foreseeable future.

The Waldorf Astoria hotel is set to become the biggest prize yet for buyers from China who have been pouring money into US real estate as they seek stable investments outside their country.

Australia is prepared to walk away from a much-touted free trade agreement with China unless there are major last-minute concessions on farm products, according to well-placed government sources.

Tenants do double take as developments in Double Bay reignite interest in the area.

The cash is rolling into the commercial property sector and the end is definitely not nigh.

Football grand finals and the warm holiday weekend in most parts of the country have proved a bonanza for hotels.