Wages to finally grow this year
The confidence gap between downbeat consumers and upbeat businesses should narrow, as economists tip a return to healthy wage growth.
Housing boom over, but prices limp along
Outsized gains in Sydney and Melbourne are a thing of the past, but modest rises in house prices should still be possible in 2018
$A could be low as US65¢ or high as US84¢
Forecasters are split on the outlook for the Australian dollar in 2018, which they believe will be largely driven by interest rates.
Challenges remain for business cycle
Business profits should flow through to wage growth and improved consumer spending. But there are structural challenges.
Caution urged for emerging markets
When hedge fund legend Howard Marks from Oaktree Capital wrote a book on investing he devoted a chapter to the importance of being attentive to cycles.
The hidden dangers of comfortable investing
Passive investing may be popular, but in Australia this means having a 50 per cent exposure to just 15 stocks, writes Auscap's Tim Carleton.
New year cheer for LNG players
The LNG market has defied gloomy predictions for 2017, presenting exporters with the brightest conditions for two years.
BHP and Vale's Samarco joint venture uncertain
The future of BHP Billiton's stake in the Samarco iron ore joint venture in Brazil is unlikely to be resolved quickly.
Most-shorted stock focused on battery boom
Syrah Resources remains firmly focused on ramping up production from its huge African mine, capitalising on battery market growth.
FSC mulls database for life insurance claims
The Financial Services Council says it is looking at the viability of an industry database able to track worrying trends.
CBA raises $US1.25b in favourable credit markets
The Commonwealth Bank has raised $US1.25 billion of 30-year "Tier 2" bonds, the 'longest' US dollar bond of its kind by an Australian bank.
Foresight upscales in Australian solar
A funding deal with the Clean Energy Finance Corp has enabled Foresight Solar to finalise the acquisition of three solar projects in Queensland.
Global growth tipped to underpin equities
With the Dow Jones Industrial Average hurtling towards 25,000, Citi adviser Kathy Keung says high equity prices are one of her clients' main concerns, given the increased risk their portfolios bear.
Oil stocks, cannabis minnows seal gain for ASX
Cannabis stocks were the biggest movers in a hot-and-cold session for the ASX on Thursday when early gains faded away for a rise of just 6 points. Asian stocks were on track for a record close.
Reffind bets on blockchain for turnaround story
Battling HR technology stock Reffind is betting on blockchain to revitalise the business, investing in a US-based start-up.
What's really going on with blockchain?
Despite the hype, blockchain is just as likely to turn out to be a form of social engineering that benefits none but a tiny elite.
Opinion
Challenges remain for business cycle
Business profits should flow through to wage growth and improved consumer spending. But there are structural challenges.
New central bank faces, same old problems
US central bankers remain frustrated by stubbornly low US inflation and divided about how best to deal with it.
Caution urged for emerging markets
When hedge fund legend Howard Marks from Oaktree Capital wrote a book on investing he devoted a chapter to the importance of being attentive to cycles.
Banks have little choice to get costs down
As the major banks prepare to fire staff as part of aggressive cost-cutting, we will all reap the benefits or suffer the consequences.
Stopping the boats cost taxpayers $4b
Maintaining a hardline approach to immigration and border security will continue to impact the budget, government officials say.
Govt MPs want ACCC to look at Liddell closure
Government backbenchers fear closure of the Liddell power station is a misuse of market power but ACCC rules out probe.
Defence experts call for boost to fuel reserves
Defence analysts worry that military fuel stockpiles would not last long in event of conflict.
Why Snowy 2.0 is a write-off from the start
An inefficient storage plan shows up energy market institutions that are no longer capable of providing good advice.
Our Xenophon class submarine fleet
Australia is busy building the wrong naval deterrent force in the wrong place.
Good news about shooting deaths in US
Gun control is working but some groups aren't happy to hear it.
Survivors of failed magic sue former dictator
In 2007 the Gambian president announced that he had invented a miracle cure for HIV.
What the Pentagon knows about UFOs
The US government claims to have shut down its program investigating alien craft.
Aung San Suu Kyi, fallen hero
Were we too naive in embracing Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader, as a dissident star?
Trump goes to war with Bannon
US President Donald Trump threatens to sue his one-time chief strategist Stephen Bannon, after he criticised the First Family in a new book.
Personal Finance
Four struggling stocks poised to rebound
Some of the most beaten-up stocks on the ASX are perfectly poised for a recovery, according to Morningstar's list of the best global equity picks.
Property tax loophole closed, defects can of worms opened
Say goodbye to travel deductions and hello to a defects fund aimed at holding developers to account for dodgy buildings.
SMSFs eye infrastructure
Self-managed superannuation funds are calling on the Turnbull government to develop mechanisms to enable the $700 million do-it-yourself sector to invest in infrastructure.
Japan Inc's corporate culture on trial
For an industrial economy that has built its global name on its reputation for quality, a spate of scandals has led Japan to nerve-racking times.
Hello kiss needs its own rules of engagement
It would be a shame if kissing hello was claimed as a victim by the gender wars, if a gesture both affectionate and respectful became out of bounds. A kiss on the cheek is the very opposite of a hidden assault.
Hiring firm faces collapse over 'sham EBAs'
A major labour hire firm says it risks insolvency after a ruling on 'sham EBAs' means it owes workers $3.5 million.
Why women need to raise their voices
Feminist author Mary Beard hasn't lost her bite in her new book, Women & Power.
Lifestyle
The match that broke trans-Tasman cricket
Trans-Tasman relations took a bashing in 1946 when Australia trounced New Zealand on the cricket pitch. The aftershocks of that match are still felt today.
David Rowe cartoon
