8@eight: ASX set to drift, US, China data in focus
A busy week of local and international data, notably from the US and China, and a raft of US earnings will provide plenty of fodder for investors to weigh in markets this week.
Latest Business News
The $6000 you could save on energy bills
There's a simple way to save $6000 on energy bills over 30 years.
ASX to open lower in busy week of data
The ASX is set to start the week slightly lower but a flood of data and events will keep investors busy this week.
Clive and Gina are shrinking violets
It seems running between meetings with lawyers, going to courts and dodging the media pack has had one upside for Queensland mogul Clive Palmer, that being a shrinking girth.
Salesforce rules out bid for Twitter
Twitter shares tumbled as few deal-making options remained.
Taking on the sleeping giants, someone's got to do it
Somnomed is the minnow taking on the industry's goliaths, with sales forecast to grow at better than 20 per cent for several years to come, thanks to rising sleep apnoea patients globally
Cheap hot chooks here to stay
BBQ chickens selling for $8 and under are designed to squeeze German discounter Aldi, investment bank says.
Investor mortgage interest rate gap narrows
Banks are being forced to cut the interest rate premium they are charging new property investors, as lenders compete more fiercely in the investor mortgage market once again.
Wheat marks biggest weekly gain in a year
Wheat prices surged last week with concerns poor weather would hit crops forcing traders to cover positions
Chinese government picks a fight with Packer
The Chinese Government appears to be looking for a showdown with Australian billionaire James Packer. His gaming empire, Crown Resorts, is reeling in response to the massive raids on its Chinese operations and the detention of 18 staff.
OceanaGold loses El Salvador damages claim
OceanaGold has lost a long-running legal battle in El Salvador with a panel ruling the government did not have to pay compensation after the miner was denied a concession to drill for gold.
Where are all the female economists in Australia?
As gender barriers are torn down in other industries, economics remains a distinctly masculine pursuit. Why is this so?
Crash and burn fears with any biotech dash for cash
Venture capitalists warn the planned $500 million to be invested via the Federal government's Biotech Translation fund may be too much money chasing too few promising deals
The rise of the (truly awful) webcam job interview
The future of job interviews might horrify you. It horrified Jake Rosen.
BHP's disaster-hit Brazilian mine may not reopen
The future of BHP Billiton's Samarco iron ore mine in Brazil has been thrown into doubt after the mining giant admitted for the first time that it cannot guarantee that it will be reopened.
Top Packer executive among Crown employees detained in China
Chinese authorities have detained at least 18 employees of billionaire James Packer's Crown Resorts, including three Australians, in a coordinated police operation targeting the gaming giant's marketing activities on the mainland.
'Half a degree avoided': Breakthrough in talks to limit global warming
Nearly 200 nations hammered out a legally binding deal to cut back on greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners
Crown Resorts employees detained in China
Several employees from casino giant Crown are believed to have been arrested and detained in China by local authorities.
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- 02:38
Banks fires up about banks
Liberal MP Julia Banks remains steadfast when continually questioning the ASIC boss about his dealings with the Commonwealth Bank, unhappy with the answers.
Backpacker work visa scheme risks becoming 'black market'
Backpackers on Australian working-holiday visas are being grossly underpaid, or in some cases paid nothing at all, as authorities fear the program is becoming a "black market" for exploited labour.
The insurer that knocked back 1-in-3 TPD claims
After a lot of arm twisting, Westpac's life insurance arm has been outed as the insurer declining one-in-three total and permanent disability (TPD) claims made by its customers.
Wall St flat on rate outlook
US stocks closed little changed to end the week amid data that bolstered the case for higher rates.
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- 00:31
Australian Crown staff detained in China
Three Australians, including one senior executive, are among 18 employees to be detained. (Video courtesy ABC News 24)
Yellen sees hot economy positives
Could a "high-pressure economy" reverse some of the damage done in the recession?
US economic uncertainty fades fast
Uncertainty? What uncertainty? Goldman Sachs analyst Elad Pashtan sees a rosy outlook.
Libyan fund not as naive as claimed
A British court ruled in favour of Goldman in a $US1.2b dispute with Libya's sovereign wealth fund.
Telstra's fight to keep mobile network to itself
Australia's telecommunications sector finally got back what it does best this week - sledging each other in public over
Copper falls after smelter cuts premium
The price of copper slipped to a one-month low on Friday after the US dollar gained.
BoE's Carney pushes back v May
Bank of England governor Mark Carney said politicians set objectives, technocrats enact policy.
Small Business
How this Newcastle man made $100,000 in two weeks
Viral social media posts bring the promise of fame and even fortune to small business owners.
Startup wants you to wear your pyjamas to work
Who wouldn't want to go to work in clothing as comfortable as pajamas?