Japan Post books $4.7b writedown on Toll, cuts 1700 jobs
Japan Post Holdings said on Tuesday it will book its first annual loss in at least a decade, after unveiling a $US3.6 billion ($4.7 billion) writedown on its Australian logistics arm.
Latest Business News
Markets Live: ASX eyes 6000 points
Investors jump into shares buoyed by record highs and climbing confidence on Wall St, with banks leading the charge as ABS data shows inflation edging higher.
Inflation back in RBA's target range, but still 'weak'
Australia's inflation rate was 0.5 per cent in the March quarter, missing economists' expectations of a 0.6 per cent rise.
Virgin Australia will introduce Canberra-Perth service in August
Virgin Australia will introduce twice weekly services between Perth and Canberra in parliamentary sitting weeks from August.
Credit Suisse backs reflation trade
Despite a slide in US bond yields, slump in iron ore and equities pullback, Credit Suisse expects "reflation to return".
'Ruthless': How Zuckerberg keeps Facebook king
The tech world just witnessed a robbery. The heist was so brazen you kind of had to admire it, even if it was pulled off with all the grace of a gas station stickup.
Deborah Thomas quits CEO role at Dreamworld owner Ardent
Deborah Thomas has announced she will stand down as chief executive of Dreamworld owner, Ardent Leisure, just two years after she took the job and six months after the tragedy which claimed the lives of four people at the Gold Coast theme park.
United passenger was violent in seat fiasco, police report claims
Newly released police documents claim that David Dao, the passenger who was dragged off a United Airlines flight on April 9, behaved violently toward the officers removing him and was effectively to blame for his own injuries. "Utter nonsense," says his lawyer.
'Hypocritical': Obama under fire for reported $530,000 speech fee
Barack Obama has been criticised for reportedly accepting a fee of $US400,000 ($530,000) to address a Wall Street bank in September.
Chinese equities wilt under capital crackdown
A widespread credit crackdown in China is roiling a range of Chinese asset classes but economists including Andy Xie are welcoming the government's moves.
Le Pen ducks euro exit question
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen sought to soften her position on Europe, and her plans for the euro if elected.
BHP slashes production forecast after Chile strike, Cyclone Debbie
The mining giant has reported a 20 per cent drop in nine-month copper production and cut its full-year production guidance due to industrial action at its Escondida mine in northern Chile.
How messing with the Big Mac paid off for McDonald's
A revamp of McDonald's iconic Big Mac burger and more aggressive drink promotions are helping the restaurant giant overcome a broader slump in the fast-food industry.
Loonie chopped by US duties
The Canadian dollar slumped after the US said it would impose anti-subsidy duties on imported Canadian softwood lumber.
Gurner challenges Fitzroy Club knockback in Supreme Court
The Melbourne developer has launched a Supreme Court challenge to a planning tribunal decision that rejected his apartment redevelopment of Fitzroy's Spanish Club.
8@eight: Strong start in store for ASX
It's a good time to hold equity and credit and it seems a dark cloud in the form of the French elections has swiftly departed from the investment landscape, providing fresh impetus to chase returns.
Nine urged to call stumps on cricket coverage
Cricket Australia is facing a major revenue crisis as global investment bank urges end to coverage.
Nasdaq tops 6000 mark
The Nasdaq Composite crossed the 6000 mark for the first time, bolstered by gains in a handful of large-cap tech names.
Iron ore begins multi-year slump
Iron ore's early-year rally might prove to be a high-water mark for at least the next half decade, according to BMI Research.
China's hidden debt stirs angst
Scrutiny is mounting after a corn oil producer guaranteed debt of a neighbouring aluminium product manufacturer.
Furla buys back Australian business on soaring sales
Luxury Retail Group claims premium handbag-maker Furla's decision to buy back its local stores is a vote of confidence in Australia's rapidly expanding luxury retail sector.
Private equity sets a higher bar for former Spotless boss
Former Spotless boss, Bruce Dixon, promised he would not be doing anything more strenuous than propping up the bar at one of his son's pubs when he retired. He was being modest.
Minimum wage for temporary visa holders falls behind inflation
The minimum wage for temporary work visa holders has not been revised to ensure it will keep up with inflation as part of federal government reforms to the visa system.
Barangaroo launches new public park zone
A sweeping two-hectare public park, complete with waterfront walkway and new pier, will be some of the final pieces of the $6b Barangaroo development.
Work for the dole a 'demonstrable failure, demonises the unemployed'
Work for the dole has been an expensive "demonstrable failure" that does nothing to lessen the nation's unemployment burden, one of Australia's biggest charities has said.
Looming bank profits require delicate handling
The latest round of profit results – all expected to be higher than the previous corresponding period – will be steeped in politics.
Investors cheer Europe's political mood
Investors watching the polls in Europe are feeling more optimistic after the French first-round result.
MUA, Patrick at battle stations as 'peace deal' looks to be in tatters
The national peace deal on the docks is looking shaky after only five months.
Cocoa growers to work together on fighting price rout
Cocoa-growing countries will fight a price rout by banding together and co-ordinating production strategies, the chairman of the International Cocoa Organisation said.
Chinese investors target retail assets as $48m centre sells
A neighbourhood shopping centre in Melbourne's south-east anchored by a Woolworths supermarket has sold to Chinese interests for $48 million, the latest in series of retail acquisitions by Asian investors.
Small Business
No clue in reality: when vocational training falls short
An influx of registered training organisations offering subpar courses has made it tough for employers.
The tax loophole for optimistic small businesses
There's a solution for small business still waiting on the instant asset write-off threshold increase to $10 million.