Top seven ways to invest overseas
After shunning international shares for years, Australian investors are chasing higher returns from overseas companies and boosting portfolio exposure to offshore markets. However, there are several risks including a falling Australian dollar and increased volatility due to things such as the falling oil price. With that in mind, AFR Weekend asked leading experts for their best international investing ideas for 2015.
How the Future Fund made a 13.2pc return
These days it's hard enough for the average saver to find a decent return without taking on uncomfortable levels of risk. Just imagine if you had to find a home for $100 billion and the whole of Australia was depending on you.
Executed Hanlong founder Liu Han’s mysterious fall from grace
Australia's biggest insider trading investigation was closely linked to the mysterious fate of billionaire businessman and philanthropist Liu Han, who was executed in China two weeks ago.
Greece reaches four-month deal with EU
Updated | EU finance ministers agreed in principle to extend Greece’s financial rescue by four months, averting a potential cash crunch in March that could have forced the country out of the euro zone.
Share valuations approach tech-boom levels
The sharemarket is the most expensive it has ever been outside of the worst excesses of the dot-com bubble, as global investors have joined Australians in recent weeks in a headlong chase for yield.
RBA faces forced rate cut to 1.5pc if Federal Reserve defers rise
Economists are tipping interest rates to drop to 1.25 per cent if the US defers raising its rate, and that could boost housing prices in Australia by 15 per cent.
Toll Holding's trucks take on a weighty new load
The surprise takeover of Toll by Japan Post reflects the intersection of two global forces: the flood of liquidity spawned by loose monetary policy and a demand for seamless new freight services across the world.
The impact of Greece’s exit on Australia
Alan Mitchell | Are the financial markets right, or are the Europeans sleepwalking into another economic crisis – one that would be felt by investors as far away as Australia?
DIY super push back on debt ban
The $570 billion self managed super fund industry has rejected a push by the government to ban funds from borrowing to invest in shares and property, arguing instead for tighter lending rules.
How to prepare for a perfect 2055
Fleur Anderson | Will you age gracefully in your own home or be miserable and poverty-stricken?
Your dream property is just next door
Just looking next door to the nation’s most popular suburbs could save you half the money.
The changing view from the backbench
WA Liberal senator Dean Smith on Tony Abbott, champions and being gay.
Oroton keeps schtum on Rodd & Gunn
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LVMH's private equity arm, L Capital Asia, is still on the hunt for premium Australian brands it can take to the rest of the world.
Telstra and CBA at cutting edge of change
Chanticleer | Two of the country's biggest listed enterprises from different sectors now describe themselves as technology companies.
Why Josh Goot is Australia's latest fashion victim
Australia's so-called king of body-con chic, is the latest celebrated Australian designer to go into voluntary administration.
Sydney makes top ten destination for Airbnb
Short-term accommodation provider Airbnb is facing new threats to its business model Australia as its popularity surges.
There's more than one way for SMSFs to invest in property
Many people approach SMSF property investing in a limited way. But there is more than one strategy available.
Truckie who swore at boss unfairly fired: FWC
The industrial umpire has found that swearing at a manager in a private phone call does not warrant termination of employment.
Ports, LNG projects shut down as cyclone hits
Updated | Winds of up to 285 kilometres per hour and flash flooding hit central Queensland this morning as cyclone Marcia crossed the coast.
Lenovo caught adding virus-like software
Lenovo has been caught adding software to its computers, which makes them vulnerable to hackers, and has said it will now stop doing it.
Turnbull does Queensland with Mal Brough
Rear Window | Prime Minister-in-waiting Malcolm Turnbull's planned trip to Queensland is causing heartburn for Tony Abbott.
Why your brain is going to mush
Have you traded in daydreaming for swiping, texting and connecting on your smartphone?
National
Break super promise to avoid 'train wreck': Greiner
Former NSW Premier Nick Greiner urges government to break its promise not to change superannuation this term.
- Property shortage drives surge in Sydney land prices
- Surge in childcare demand bolsters property plays
- Victorian tourist site strikes gold with Chinese visitors
- Where do those berries really come from? Scan and see
- Childcare operators and welfare groups pan Productivity Commission's report
- Further company reporting won’t help tax office, says BCA
- Australia needs 'international partner' for submarine build
- George Brandis seeks to shut down online 'terrorist propaganda'
- 285km/h winds as cyclone crosses QLD coast
The Premier league: how the states need to kick goals
The six states and two territories are the engine room of the country. How they work and who drives them are critical to the future as the fiscal clamp tightens.
Opinion
Well, if you would just let me answer the question
It's tough to be a politician when your perfectly irrelevant points are ignored by journalists.
Middle class welfare must end
We are now very good at creating the atmospherics of budget crisis, but we still shrink from any of the fixes that we know are needed.
Abbott's agenda for national security statement
When Tony Abbott gets to his feet in Parliament on Monday to deliver his second national security statement in six months, he will have a three-pronged agenda.
World
Greece reaches four-month deal with EU
Updated | EU finance ministers agreed in principle to extend Greece’s financial rescue by four months, averting a potential cash crunch in March that could have forced the country out of the euro zone.
- Why Athens won’t ever be able to pay off its debts
- The impact of Greece’s exit on Australia
- Syriza's scattergun finance minister
- Pacific trade pact negotiators set March date
- Beijing tackles terrorism with catchy tune
- Apple wants iCar to hit the road by 2020
- Saudi King unleashes a torrent as bonuses flow to the masses
Obama makes income inequality his top priority
US President Barack Obama on Thursday stepped up his efforts to define which economic problems need urgent attention, if not under his administration then the next.
Business
Toll Holding's trucks take on a weighty new load
The surprise takeover of Toll by Japan Post reflects the intersection of two global forces: the flood of liquidity spawned by loose monetary policy and a demand for seamless new freight services across the world.
- Investa Office Fund sale proves a grey zone
- Steadfast in the pursuit of QBE
- Mirvac handles competition with complex equation
- Telstra appoints Andrew Penn as chief executive officer
- Leighton execs cop hefty pay cut as ACS clamps down on costs
- Medibank Private profit rises 11% on cost cuts
- Payday lenders in ASIC's firing line
- Write-downs drag Santos into $935m loss
- Oil slump, fleet grounding hit Transpacific Industries
Where do those berries really come from? Scan to see
Sense-T communications manager Andrew Rhodes has been plugging away on paddock-to-plate tracking technology that could give customers real-time data about what they are eating.
Technology
George Brandis seeks to shut down online 'terrorist propaganda'
The federal government will spend $18 million trying to shut down websites and delete social media postings that spread terrorist propaganda.
- Telstra appoints Andrew Penn as chief executive officer
- Lenovo caught adding virus-like software to computers
- Apple Watch to drive Australian appetite for smartwatches
- YouTube to introduce paid subscriptions
- Freelancer, MoneyPlace to debate regulation
- Samsung heads off Apple Pay with LoopPay acquisition
- Aconex first-half revenue rises on stronger sales, recovering US market
- Most downloaders will avoid fines for movie piracy
- Netflix, Presto, Stan have killed the video store ... and maybe TV
iiNet closes gap with Optus, profit edges higher
iiNet said its first-half net profit edged up 1 per cent to $29.5 million as it comes close to overtaking Singtel-Optus to become the No.2 Australian fixed-line internet service provider.
Markets
How the Future Fund made a 13.2pc return
In today's investment market, it's hard enough for the average saver to find a decent return without taking on uncomfortable levels of risk. Just imagine if you had to find a home for $100 billion and the whole of Australia was depending on you.
- Copper falls, nickel touches fresh one-year low
- Dow, S&P; 500 end at record highs on Greece debt deal
- Number of active US oil rigs falls but retreat slows
- Text of Eurogroup statement on Greece
- Share valuations approach tech-boom levels
- RBA faces forced rate cut to 1.5pc if Federal Reserve defers rise
- DIY super push back on debt ban
- Profits set course for 6000 but cracks emerging
- Minimal ASX gain this week as rally sputters
There's a sting in the tail of a US recovery
There's little doubt you've heard this one before: when the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold. Of course you have. It's one of the oldest cliches in the global financial markets. But what if the US recovery takes off like no tomorrow, does it drag the rest of the world along with it ?
Personal finance
Snail Porridge and DIY SMSF: both on the up over time
Jacquie Hayes | The fat duck made it through the rabbit hole at the front door to discover snail porridge and three stars, which was followed by a heavy serving of DIY SMSF.
- RBA faces forced rate cut to 1.5pc if Federal Reserve defers rise
- Honest feedback helps to hone management style
- There's more than one way for SMSFs to invest in property
- SMSF property crackdown spooks business
- Baby Boomers plan next move to suit themselves
- Eight smaller stocks with good dividends
- Invest in your mortgage to keep ahead
- Is now the time to sell Telstra and CBA?
- Traps to watch when investing in property trusts
Rate cuts put retirees’ living standards at risk
Christopher Joye | Asset prices can radically alter the living standards of those who rely on their portfolios to survive.
Lifestyle
Executive property
Interactive | Explore a Sydney gem, French provincial in Adelaide, bayside bliss in WA and a Melbourne bungalow.
Spend
Interactive | These classic men’s shoes from Tod’s suit him, while an Armani ‘statement coat’ is perfect for her.
Alfa Romeo claws back some edge with the 4C
Alfa Romeo's latest offering to the world of sports cars does a lot to give the brand its edge back.
Hong Kong takes its place among art's greats
Adeline Ooi may not be able to pinpoint exactly what Asian art is, but she's a power in the flourishing Hong Kong art scene.
Latest TV
How to balance work and family life
No nonsense parent educator Danielle Mantakoul shares her top tips for creating balance with your work and family.
Toll recommends Japan Post bid
Toll founder Paul Little to make $400 million if Japan Post's takeover of the company succeeds.
Andy Penn takes on top job at Telstra
Telstra's new CEO must work to match David Thodey's reign, according to market commentators
Wesfarmers, AMP & Virgin lead earnings parade
Wesfarmers reports mixed earnings while AMP, Virgin and Crown beat expectations.
