'Complicit': Govt body accused of running propaganda campaign

• EXCLUSIVE

A senior executive of a major construction company has strongly criticised the Master Builders Association and the Fair Work Building Commission for running a propaganda campaign to portray the industry as corrupt and to promote the Federal Government's political agenda.

Surging Dow to boost ASX ahead of reporting season

The Dow Jones has burst through 20,000 points, indicating the positive sentiment in the market which looks set to spill over to next week's earnings season.

Trump better get used to the high $US

The US dollar is neither "too high", nor is it "killing American exporters", Donald Trump's protestations notwithstanding.

Why the Dow at 20,000 isn't just another number

• COMMENT

The milestone is worth marking, but there are peculiarities about this rally that investors shouldn't miss.

More than $57,000 worth of illegal abalone and shark fin seized

More than 3300 illegal abalone and 40 kilograms of shark fin has been seized in raid in western Sydney.

Is a AAA credit rating that important?

Australia's politicians love to bang on about the country's credit rating, but what is it, and what will happen if we lost our triple-A status?

Airlines to fly more routes from more destinations

Airlines will add more international routes between major and second-tier cities using smaller aircraft, as fuel efficiency continues to redefine long-haul aviation, the head of the behind Boeing's 787 Dreamliner team says

Trump's TPP move is not a slam dunk for US

• ANALYSIS

It's a slam dunk, right? Blocking imports into the US will be good for the US economy, adding jobs and helping to make the US great again, at least according to the mantra of the newly installed US President Donald Trump.

'It's been like this now for a number of years': Canberra's petrol price problem

Canberra motorists are paying more for petrol than Broken Hill and most parts of regional NSW.

Qantas goes back to Beijing

Qantas has recommenced daily flights from Sydney to Beijing, eight years after scrapping the route because of the global financial crisis, as the airline seeks to lift its share of the lucrative Chinese travel market.

Inside Australia's most secretive club

Australia's most exclusive club, the Qantas Chairman's Lounge, doesn't accept applications for membership, doesn't charge a fee and its entrance doesn't have a sign. It's been around almost 30 years but many haven't even heard its name.

Australia Day honour in the mail for chief postie Ahmed Fahour

The Australia Day Honours list has served up another trough of gongs for our poorly paid, and under recognised, corporate chiefs.

Why does inflation matter?

Inflation has increased slowly over the past decade, but how does that affect you?

NZ dollar gets inflation boost

The New Zealand dollar rose to a 10-week high after data showed inflation was back in the central bank's target range.

Sterling risks becoming irrelevant

Fallout from Brexit points to the pound losing its rank, and relevancy, in the $US11 trillion stockpile of currency reserves.

Dow rallies to historic high

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed past 20,000 for the first time, bolstered by corporate results and economic bets.

Bond markets get French election jitters

As nerves around France's presidential election start to play out in debt markets, a new political scandal involving front-runner Francois Fillon's wife, Penelope, could play into the hands of his opponents.

Germany calls bankers to Frankfurt

​German regulators will meet with representatives more than 20 foreign banks on Monday in preparation of a post Brexit world.

Dow takes first-ever leap above 20,000

The Dow surged above the 20,000 mark for the first time in history as a solid earnings season and optimism over possible Trump policies fueled investor optimism.

Boeing lifts cash, earnings forecasts

​Boeing shares reached an all-time high as the 787 Dreamliner emerged from a decade of losses.

BHP strike fears fuel copper

Copper hits two-month high, before retreating to end flat. Most other metals eased ahead of Lunar New Year.

Iron ore rally seen overextended

Prices are near the highest in more than two years on speculation of sustained Chinese demand for imports.

Dow crosses 20,000 for first time on reinvigorated Trump rally

The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded above 20,000 for the first time on Wednesday and world stocks hit 19-month highs on strong Japanese trade data, stellar European corporate results and investor enthusiasm over President Donald Trump.

Brexit: Scott Morrison urges businesses to adopt 'strategic patience'

The issue is key for Australian providers of financial services into the Eurozone as the passporting system allows businesses to operate in participating countries without needing permission from each individual country.

Potato shortage never this bad: farmers

The chips are down for the nation's potato lovers.

Rates on hold as inflation bottoms

• ANALYSIS

The Reserve Bank has been given licence to leave interest rates on hold at its first board meeting for the year, after the delivery of a low inflation result in line with its expectations and signs it will lift.

Dividend hike, buyback in sight on Rio Tinto asset sales

A dividend hike and a possible share buyback on the cards when global miner Rio Tinto releases its earnings early next month, after finalising deals to raise as much as $US3.8 billion from asset sales in recent months.

Miners lead the charge as bulls return

New records on Wall Street and soaring metals prices pushed the local sharemarket higher on Wednesday.

Markets Live: BHP storms to 19-month high

• Live

Shares rise, led by strong gains in the big miners, while the Aussie dollar takes a hit on softer than expected inflation data.