Dividends down and dividends up

• 16 mins ago

Did Australian corporate dividends rise or fall for the 2015-16 year? Well, both - sort of. Michael Pascoe comments.

The dividend contradiction baffling analysts

• COMMENT
• 1 hr ago

The apparent dividend contradiction is a reflection of the main themes of this reporting season: overall averages were skewed by a few spectacular dives.

Packer cuts Crown Resorts stake in $448m sale

• 1 hr ago

Billionaire James Packer has sold a $448 million stake in Crown Resorts, reducing his ownership of the casino operator to less than 50 per cent.

ASX hits near one-month low

• 1 hr ago

The Australian sharemarket fell to its lowest in almost four weeks as investors factored in the potential of a US rate hike.

Call for VET overhaul as future of skills training under threat: report

• 1 hr ago

The future of vital skills training is under threat in Australia because of plummeting enrolments and a few rogue operators tarnishing the reputation of the sector, a new report has found.

Palmer loses bid to postpone court date over Qld Nickel

Businessman Clive Palmer will have to answer questions in the Federal Court about the collapse of Queensland Nickel after his bid to postpone his appearance failed.

Markets Live: ASX slumps on US rate worries

• Live

The ASX slumps after Fed officials leaders spurred bets of a September rate rise.

Youi customers share their worst horror stories

Horror stories about alleged Youi scams and frauds have continued to flow in, after Fairfax revealed allegations about wide scale illegal conduct at the major insurer.

Youi may be charging your credit card

An investigation by Fairfax Media can reveal that insurance giant Youi has been billing people who provided credit card information in the course of obtaining a quote.

US giant accuses Woolies of acting in 'bad faith'

US hardware giant Lowe's has hammered its Masters joint venture partner Woolworths.

Possible US Fed hike may keep RBA cut at bay

The apparent willingness of Federal Reserve officials to increase US interest rates this year means incoming Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe may have the ability to hold on to the policy ammunition that his predecessor bequeaths him.

Australian Conservation Foundation loses Federal Court coal case

Adani's Carmichael coal mine has cleared another legal hurdle after the Federal Court threw out a challenge against the project.

Brewery workers withdrawn from CUB amid safety fears

A major labour hire company providing fill-in workers to Carlton and United after the sacking of a brewery's entire maintenance crew has now cut ties with the beer giant.

Livestock exporter Wellard in trading halt

Shares in livestock exporter Wellard have been placed in a trading halt ahead of the release of full-year results that could contain asset writedowns.

Calls for Senate inquiry after Youi accused of fraud, theft

Claims that Youi may have defrauded thousands of Australians have prompted calls for a Senate inquiry into the insurance giant.

Masters take back refund refusal

Embattled hardware retailer Masters reinstates its refund policy after a disgruntled customer complained on the 2UE Breakfast Show.

Four positives from reporting season

Reporting season is almost at an end and, despite the gloomy expectations, there are some positives.

HuffPost Australia hires new chief executive

HuffPost Australia has appointed digital marketer JJ Eastwood as its new chief executive. 

Temple & Webster loss balloons

Online furniture retailer Temple & Webster's loss was more than double what was forecast in its prospectus.

Kidman bidding heats up as Rinehart mulls move

Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, is looking to bid jointly with Chinese interests for Kidman & Co, one of the country's largest farm owners, sources say.

China stock traders feel heat with 774 probes in two months

China's regulators are intensifying scrutiny of unusual movements in stocks as they seek to damp speculation in the nation's financial markets.

'He took the money and never came near us': Judy's removalist gets the biggest fine

A national removalist, who repeatedly failed to deliver a promised "gold class" service, has been the recipient of an $80,000 fine.

Transport group McAleese in administration

McAleese has gone into voluntary administration and its shares have been suspended after the transport group was unable to strike a deal to lower its property rental costs.

Australian innovation lags behind Ireland and NZ

What does New Zealand have in common with Iceland? Both outrank Australia in innovation. In fact, Australia lags well behind the likes of Japan, Canada and Finland.

I'm no villain, says Mylan chief Heather Bresch

America has a new pharmaceutical villain. Her name is Heather Bresch.

Americans pay millions to whistleblower at BHP Billiton

• EXCLUSIVE

The US government has paid a bounty of more than $3.5 million to a former BHP Billiton employee who helped expose alleged bribery by the Australian mining giant.

8@eight: ASX set to open lower

• Sponsored

The ASX looks like it may have a tough day as materials and energy stocks will struggle in the stronger US dollar environment.

Call to halt door knocking energy sales rebuffed

A call by EnergyAustralia to halt sales of energy contracts by door-to-door sales teams has been rejected by others in the industry such as the industry's lobby group and other retailers.

Aldi accounts shed some light on Australian operations

The privately held chain Aldi, one of the world's biggest retailers, has released some eagerly awaited detail about its local operations. But an accounting expert questions elements of Aldi's accounts.