US dollar seen extending 'freefall'

The US dollar is poised to start this week on the backfoot amid a deepening rethink on the Federal Reserve's rate hike path.

Government urges AGL to extend life of coal plant

The federal government is keeping the pressure on AGL to extend the life of its Liddell coal-fired power station.

Gap between rich and poor a growing drag on our wellbeing

Australia's wellbeing improved last financial year but income inequality is taking a toll

FBI investigating Uber over Lyft

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing to see if Uber Technologies used software to illegally interfere with its closest competitor, Lyft.

Don't drop your economic bundle just yet

• COMMENT

Have you noticed how people are more upbeat about the economy? It's no bad thing.

'The crook, the retirement village and my mother': Residents fight back

Jane Cartledge has spent almost a decade trying to claw back hundreds of thousands of dollars from a retirement village operator that she didn't know had a criminal past and connections to underworld figures.

Insurers need to focus on fairness ASIC tells MPs

• COMMENT

If there is any doubt the life insurance industry continues to have serious problems, take a look at what ASIC deputy chairman Peter Kell told politicians on Friday: "This is a sector that needs to focus on the concept of fairness," he said

'Gentler, flexible': Women outnumber men in dentistry for first time

Sabrina Manickam and Susan Wise are among a growing number of women who have taken to the dental profession in recent decades.

High-powered trio to investigate CBA

The review comes in the wake of numerous scandals including allegations of money laundering, unfair denial of life insurance claims and financial planning rip-offs.

Fly longer, but the airport transfer is not departing just yet

For all the hardships of long-distance travel, stopping mid-journey at an unfamiliar airport to change planes is generally accepted as one of the more trying.

AUD/USD heading towards 82c?

Depending on this week’s economic forecasts in Australia, China and the US, the AUD reaching 82c is within the realm of possibility. (This video was produced in commercial partnership between Fairfax Media and IG Markets.)

Mistakes? We've made a few, says CommInsure

CommInsure has admitted that the last year has been "challenging" for the insurance company after claims handling problems were exposed.

ASX slides for a third straight week

The ASX ended a week dominated again by worries about North Korea with a loss, while the Australian dollar hit to a two-year high.

Stop 'drip feed' of bad news: RBA's plea to banks

Distrust of Australia's banks will continue unless the "drip feed" of industry scandals ends, regulators have warned.

Gold miners fuming over WA gold royalty hit

Australia's biggest gold miner Newcrest Mining has blasted the Western Australian government over its higher tax regime unveiled this week, saying the government had broken two commitments and that higher gold royalties would hurt the state and cost jobs.

Markets Live: Aussie hits 2-year highs

The ASX slips at the end of a largely lacklustre week marked by worries about North Korea and Hurricane Irma, but the Australian dollar shines.

Domain and REA benefit from slower markets: analysts

A slowing real estate market is good news for online property sites because vendors will have to list their houses and apartments for longer, according to analysts.

ASX winners and losers - a snapshot

The Aussie is trading at a two-year high on Friday, breaking over 80 US cents.

Amcor may be plotting major US takeover

• UPDATED

Australian packaging giant Amcor could be plotting a multibillion-dollar takeover bid of a large competitor, in a move to dramatically step up its expansion plans in the US.

'Clear divergence': loans to property investors continue decline

Home loan approvals have shown a surprise lift in July, but the continuing decline in investor loans has underlined the effectiveness of recently introduced lending controls.

CommInsure grilled at hearing

Commonwealth Bank and CommInsure executives admit it had made "mistakes" and lost customers since claim handling problems were exposed.

Australian dollar soars to two-year high

• UPDATED

The Australian dollar hit two-year highs against its US counterpart this week, a handy boost to Aussies looking to buy overseas goods or holiday abroad this summer.

Amazon won't be the only Christmas Grinch

• COMMENT

The antidote to the current weakness in retail spending is an end to our sluggish wage growth.

Equifax managers sold stock before cyber hack revealed

US credit-reporting service Equifax is under scrutiny after three senior executives sold shares worth almost $US2 million in the days after the company discovered a massive security breach.

Amazon opens bidding to US cities for $US5b 'HQ2'

US cities line up to woo Amazon as retail giant announces it will be building a $US5b 'second headquarters'.

Treasurer welcomes APRA inquiry into CBA

Treasurer Scott Morrison supports the Laker Inquiry into the Commonwealth Bank's governance, culture and accountability frameworks and practices.

Suburban strips thrive despite retailing woes

Tatts agency owner Simon Alan says he owns one of Melbourne's most recession-proof businesses.

'Massive' cyberattack may have exposed almost half of US

One of America's three biggest credit-reporting companies was struck by a cyberattack that left almost half the US population at risk, placing it among the most intrusive security breaches in history.