Buying into the future: the AI megatrend
The big data and AI revolution is underway and could propel a fifth wave of IT-driven productivity growth. How can investors play the theme?
The number that matters for investors
The year 2017 for investors is one of impressive figures: Wall Street is up 20 per cent, bitcoin has gone exponential. But these are not important numbers.
The far bigger threat to banks than Hayne
It was a dramatic year for banks but new government policies in train will mean 2018 is just as disruptive.
Bitcoin plummets 30pc, briefly
The value of bitcoin tumbled nearly 30 per cent early Friday (Saturday AEST) before recovering most of its ground in the afternoon.
Wesfarmers' $700m deal raises questions
Does Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott use the coal sale proceeds to buttress his retail divisions, or move into new areas?
Will markets remain buoyant in 2018?
"You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out", Warren Buffett once famously quipped. Some analysts believe the saying will be particularly relevant in 2018.
SurfStitch CEO Mike Sonand steps down
SurfStitch CEO Mike Sonand has stepped down as administrators are granted an extension to give suitors more time to see Christmas trading figures.
US tax cuts cause one-off billion-dollar writedowns
Donald Trump has signed a tax overhaul and companies are rejoicing. But the immediate effect could be a one-time accounting headache.
Inside the capital markets story of the year
Downer Group's $1.3 billion bid for Spotless and associated raising was the capital markets story of the year. And it ain't over yet.
SA Water targets zero power bill by 2020
SA Water aims to use solar PV, hydropower and a range of emerging new storage technologies to eliminate its power bill.
'Tis the season for desktop shopping
A shift to online shopping has seen Australia Post process a record volume of parcel deliveries this week.
AMP Capital buys Aveo's Gasworks for $248m
Aveo has sold its Gasworks Plaza retail and office complex at Newstead Brisbane to AMP Capital in a $248.4 million deal.
Cryptocurrency hedge fund plans shelved
One of the biggest champions of bitcoin has shelved plans to start a cryptocurrency hedge fund and predicted the digital money may extend its fall to $US8,000.
ASX rallies into Christmas break
The ASX ended the last session before the Christmas break on an upbeat note, with traders choosing to pick up energy companies and miners ahead of the holiday.
This was the best-performing Australian stock this year
Listed electronics retailer Kogan.com was the best performing stock on the ASX All Ordinaries index in 2017, with an annual gain of more than 300 per cent.
Bitcoin intensifies pain as ransom demands rocket
Hey, want those photos and files back? It may cost more than it used to. Thank bitcoin.
Opinion
Will markets remain buoyant in 2018?
"You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out", Warren Buffett once famously quipped. Some analysts believe the saying will be particularly relevant in 2018.
PM in a better position than you think
As the year ends, even the citizenship debacle seemed to be rebounding more on Bill Shorten than Malcolm Turnbull.
Big money demands climate action
While Australian politicians have been running around in circles and failing to agree a policy for decarbonisation, the world's largest institutional investors have been marshalling their forces to make boards of directors accountable.
Shysters are still here 30 years on
After more than 30 years of writing and dealing in financial markets, the major lesson I have learnt is that nothing really changes.
Turnbull defends Snowy Hydro's high price
Malcolm Turnbull has defended the ballooning cost of upgrading the Snowy Hydro scheme, arguing the project is financially viable.
Jim Molan declared to be NSW senator
The High Court has cleared the way for Jim Molan to take his seat in the Senate to replace former Nationals senator Fiona Nash.
Nine injured in Melbourne attack are foreign nationals
A man who deliberately mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne, injuring 19 people, has no terrorist links, police say.
Can PM turn a sunny economy into votes?
Economic confidence is returning. Labor's internal discipline is cracking. And soon Malcolm Turnbull will be thinking election dates.
RBA upbeat about ageing population
The ageing population could be less of a burden over the next two decades based on new projections by the RBA.
Catalan separatists win regional election
Catalan separatists retained their majority in the regional parliament, dealing a blow to the Spanish government's effort to contain the push for independence.
French PM defends $542,000 flight home
Edouard Philippe and his entourage took private plane back from Tokyo.
Boeing in merger talks with Brazil's Embraer
Embraer's shares soar 30 per cent in Sao Paulo on a potential tie-up with Boeing, weeks after Airbus moved on Bombardier.
Orchestra conductor Dutoit in sex misconduct accusations
Three opera singers and a classical musician say renowned conductor Charles Dutoit sexually assaulted them.
Mon dieu! Butter shortage in France
For the French, butter is elemental which is why rumours of a shortage led to run on supermarket supplies, causing a real shortage.
Personal Finance
No-fee reward cards for big spenders
Like your card's rewards but question the annual fee? There are ways to get the goodies without paying for the privilege.
What your SMSF should have done in 2017
You may breathe a sigh of relief as 2017 ends but have you really got your super ducks in a row for the financial year?
When to sell bitcoin
The sheer speed of bitcoin appreciation and the scale of the windfall have paralysed some investors.
Meet the godfather of gay marriage
Senator Dean Smith is the unlikely architect of our same-sex marriage laws. It should make us expect more from our politicians, he says over lunch with the AFR.
Adir Shiffman's $10m 'Aconex factory'
Enterprise software-as-a-service start-ups have a new home, entrepreneur Adir Shifman claims.
Andrew Liveris eyes Australia comeback
Darwin-born Andrew Liveris is preparing to return home and has plenty of advice on how Australia can find its place in the Asian century.
The rules of engagement after Weinstein
There was a time when it was not unusual for men to ask female colleagues out five, six times until she finally said yes.
Lifestyle
Long Island Iced Tea renames itself Long Blockchain
Long Island Iced Tea shares rose as much as 289 per cent after the unprofitable New York-based company rebranded itself Long Blockchain.
