NAB sparks calls for wider financial planning inquiry
Calls are growing for a Royal Commission into the entire financial planning industry, as new leaked documents reveal NAB identified five key areas within its advisory activities for further investigation. Senators, who last year recommended a royal commission into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia after an advice scandal, have seized on the latest reports.
Greek extension bolsters equities
Before the Bell | Global equities appear set to extend their recent advance as Greece and its EU partners agreed to a four-month extension of the country’s financial rescue package.
Craigs, Deutsche in Wilson spin-off
Listed stockbroker and fund manager Wilson HTM Investment Group will announce on Monday it has sold its institutional equities, corporate finance and private wealth business.
Iron ore spot market 'a disaster' says ex-Rio exec
Former Rio Tinto executive Mal Randall said the iron ore spot pricing model has "been a disaster" and the major producers should consider returning to long-term benchmark contracts.
John Symond says $1m super breaks ‘milk cow dry’
Almost 300,000 households are sitting on superannuation balances worth more than $1 million, the level where generous tax breaks could start to be wound back, experts say.
Pacific Equity Partners in talks to acquire Kerry Pinnacle
Pacific Equity Partners is in advanced discussions to acquire Kerry Pinnacle, the local arm of global food giant Kerry Group, according to offshore lending sources.
Market heavyweights eyed as ASX pushes towards 6000
Qantas, Woolworths and BHP Billiton are among the big names set to release results during the third week of this reporting season, just as the local share market edges closer to the 6000 point mark.
China's banks poised to write off billions in bad debts
China's state-owned banks are set to begin the painful process of writing off billions of dollars in bad debts.
Macquarie in hunt for new US funds chief
Delaware Investments, Macquarie Group’s $US185 billion funds management business, is searching for a new chief executive after announcing Patrick Coyne will step down.
'Truly extraordinary' Sydney auction rate
Sydney records third week straight week of auction clearance rate above 80 per cent.
AMP venture unit targets disruption
AMP will scour the market for opportunities to invest in disruptive digital start-ups.
Greenhill poaches JPMorgan’s Gidney
Rear Window | Greenhill Australia has scored a major coup as it remakes itself.
Bad Education: Vocation set to update market
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Look out anyone trying to get in the way of the angry hordes set to exit the Vocation share register on Monday morning.
Tony Abbott's invasion of Nigeria
Rear Window | Tony Abbott raised the prospect of sending Australia's elite SAS unit into Nigeria to rescue kidnapped schoolgirls last year.
The word that makes bankers tremble
Leading UK finance lawyer says 'attestations' could soon become part of ASIC's toolkit.
Etihad Stadium owners agitate for sale
The super fund and investment fund owners of Melbourne's Etihad Stadium are increasingly agitating for the facility to be sold to the AFL.
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.
National
PM warns of dire homegrown terror threat
Prime Minister Tony Abbott will tell Australians today that the threat from homegrown terrorists is worsening, with thousands in danger of being radicalised by slick death-cult online media campaigns.
- Selling out of fossil fuels will cost universities
- 'Truly extraordinary' Sydney auction market clears 87pc
- Early claims from Tropical Cyclone Marcia exceed 4000
- Government urged to curb super tax breaks from $1m
- 'Critical' tourism data delayed for months due to data errors
- Bad debts threaten to sink government student loan scheme
- Etihad Stadium owners agitate for sale
- Australian MOOC provider OpenLearning offers universities free access
Gina Rinehart's riches give volleyball big boost
Gina Rinehart's riches and keen interest in volleyball have given the sport a big boost and allowed the sport to recruit a star coach for its high-performing men's team.
Opinion
White collar crime inquiry vital
The senator who triggered inquiry into CBA and ASIC has submitted draft terms of reference for a royal commission into white collar crime.
Look to New Zealand for tax lessons
Tony Abbott is right to say his government could learn some useful lessons from New Zealand. So could Labor.
Will nuclear power mini-reactors blow away wind?
Mark Lawson | Greens like to point out that nuclear power is more expensive than almost any form of energy in Australia.
World
Singapore's former PM Lee Kuan Yew in intensive care
Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who famously warned Australia was at risk of becoming the "poor white trash of Asia" is in hospital in intensive care with pneumonia.
- Valeant Agrees to Buy Drugmaker Salix
- Pro-Putin Crowds Bash US in Moscow demo
- Activist Marcato tries to shake up lacklustre Sotheby's and sack CEO
- Russia Gets Second Junk Rating From Moody's
- Deutsche Bank, Santander may fail Fed's stress tests, claim
- West Coast Ports Shutdown Averted
- Tsipras Claims Aid Extension Victory
- Oscars a race between a Boyhood and a Birdman
Islamic State lapping on Europe's shores
When Tony Abbott delivered his first national security statement he committed Australia to a war against an IS death cult, including a troop and air force deployment in Iraq.
Business
NAB compensation sparks calls for wider financial planning industry inquiry
Calls are growing for a Royal Commission into the entire financial planning industry, as new leaked documents reveal NAB identified five key areas within its advisory activities for further investigation.
- Toll competitors warn of sovereign risk in $6.5bn Japan Post sale
- Shakeup at Telstra as David Thodey departs
- Iron ore spot market 'a disaster' says former Rio executive
- Beverages sector undergoes another shake-up as Asahi boss steps down
- Merger pressure on small banks rises as rates fall
- Greg Hywood on buyback, Domain and Gina Rinehart
- AMP venture unit strategy targets disruption
- Woodside in talks on Indian LNG import capacity
Clarke running at full speed at Treasury Wine Estates
Due Diligence | Treasury Wine Estates chief executive Mike Clarke will celebrate his first anniversary at the helm on March 31 of the maker of Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Rosemount.
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
Greek extension bolsters equities
Before the Bell | Global equities appear set to extend their recent advance as Greece and its EU partners agreed to a four-month extension of the country’s financial rescue package.
- Qantas, Woolies and BHP to report results as market eyes 6000 points
- ASX at 6000 in sight, but pre-GFC highs a way off
- Spring Financial bets on houses
- Dow, S&P; 500 end at record highs on Greece debt deal
- Text of Eurogroup statement on Greece
- How the Future Fund made a 13.2pc return
- Copper falls, nickel touches fresh one-year low
- Number of active US oil rigs falls but retreat slows
- Share valuations approach tech-boom levels
Greek concession buys time
Karen Maley | Nervous Greeks have been pulling out more than $1 billion a day from their bank accounts and sending it abroad.
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
Fairfax CEO Hywood on circulation, Domain
Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood talks about investors, circulation numbers and Domain.
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.
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.
