The Big Un-Doing: Inside the boiler room
In 2017 it was the best-performing stock on the ASX. Now it's revealed as a house of cards. Inside the boiler room that is Big Un Limited.
CEOs 'hungry for growth more than ever'
Investors are feeling good about the outlook for Australian companies, which are finding inventive ways to grow.
#MeToo strikes at big four consulting firms
It's not every week the CEOs of EY and KPMG are forced to publicly remind their partners and staff to behave themselves at work
Trump's steel tariffs trigger recession fears
Malcolm Turnbull could face pressure to protect local steelmakers as Donald Trump lights the fuse on a trade war over US steel tariffs.
Partnerships under pressure over rules
Paying lip service to having a good working environment will no longer cut it for staff at professional services firms.
Jacinda Ardern outplays Turnbull
It was a case of deja vu for Australians used to being flogged by the Kiwis in the pinnacle of trans-Tasman rugby union competitions, the Bledisloe Cup.
Lunch with The Boy From Baradine
Fresh from baring his soul in a new memoir Craig Emerson explains, over lunch with the AFR, how politicians can regain the people's confidence.
Social purpose? Shareholders don't care
Boards are urging their CEOs to ignore short-term shareholders and show their business has a purpose beyond making profits, say Alison Watkins, Ken Henry and John Key.
ASIC takes former Rio Tinto execs to court
The corporate watchdog has started legal proceedings against Rio Tinto's former chief executive Tom Albanese and chief financial officer Guy Elliott for misleading and deceptive conduct over the miner's disastrous Riversdale coal acquisition.
Franchising fights permanent brand damage
Stakeholders in the franchising sector are divided over whether it needs another regulatory shake-up.
Retail Food Group to shut up to 200 stores
The chief executive of beleaguered franchisor Retail Food Group insists the company's Australian franchise network will be sustainable over the long term.
Hayne rejects CBA bid to keep evidence secret
Bank requests to keep evidence a secret are expected to be largely rejected with only a small number of concessions.
Maple Brown Abbott analyst resigns over Big Un links
A 30-year-old investment analyst at Maple Brown Abbott that owned four million shares in controversial Big Un Limited has resigned after breaching the fund's policies.
Bitcoin to be sold at 1200 newsagents
Cryptocurrency punters are now able to buy bitcoin and ethereum from 1200 newsagents throughout Australia.
Why the CBA hybrid looks attractive
Retail investors who poured $1.45 billion into the latest Westpac hybrid may regret doing so after the mooted launch of a more generous CBA security next week.
Future Fund hints at small business investments
The Future Fund says its playing its part in developing the Australian private equity industry as it flags a program to invest in local small businesses
Opinion
Personal baggage is now a weapon
Politics finds itself at a very awkward juncture: will the players back off or choose to continue down the path of mutually-assured destruction?
Will Trump listen to Wall St or his base?
Donald Trump, the President who measures his economic performance by the stock market, just got a taste of what investors think of his planned tariffs.
In Washington with Team Turnbull
We stampede along the Colonnade, over the footfall of Kennedys and Bushes, Popes and Kings, and, lungs heaving, pile into the most famous room on earth. There are but seconds to take it in.
'This is the best season in over five years'
Aussie shares outperformed global peers by some way over a turbulent February. And the best reporting season in years has overseas investors paying attention.
Why the politics of innovation are difficult
This is not the ideal political backdrop for people interested in promoting longer-term programs, like encouraging more innovation in the economy.
Snowy adds to $60b in 'off budget spending'
The Snowy-Hydro adds to what could soon grow to more than $60 billion in Commonwealth "off budget spending" that may create unforeseen risks for future governments.
Families key to company tax cut: Key
Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has urged the federal government to formulate a "family package" of personal tax cuts.
War-torn Iraq can't do without its allies - yet
Islamic State has lost the war in Iraq but Australia's mission in the battle-ravaged country is set to continue, at least into next year.
Tasmanian Labor baulks at Liberals year 12 policy
Liberal Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff sounds every inch a Labor education minister in his policy statement
Back to Mao? Rare public dissent from fearful Chinese
Most of the social media criticism has been wiped by the censors but the fears that Xi will replicate Mao's absolute power can't be so easily removed.
Jinping, Putin and Trump raise global tensions
A dictator in Beijing, a Cold War arms race in Moscow and a trade war in Washington. It has been an alarming week for world stability.
Xi, leader for life wins, but China loses
Politicians and commentators can now credibly talk of the "regime of Xi Jinping" in the same way they do about Putin or Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
5 reasons Trump's steel tariffs are a big deal
They are bigger, more secretive and less legal than anything the US has done in the past 30 years.
S Korea to send envoy to Pyongyang
President Moon Jae-in has told Donald Trump of his plan but the White House declined to comment.
Personal Finance
How to avoid overseas transaction charges
HSBC's new Everyday Global Account allows you to bank in 10 currencies with no overseas charges and fee-free ATM withdrawals.
Why the CBA hybrid looks attractive
Retail investors who poured $1.45 billion into the latest Westpac hybrid may regret doing so after the mooted launch of a more generous CBA security next week.
Trump tax plan a 'killer' for dual citizens
Expatriate Americans with businesses in Australia are in for a nasty surprise as a result of the Trump tax plan, experts say.
The rape trials Australia can't forget
Three brutal rapes. Three trials. One judge. Here for the first time Michael Finnane reveals why his sentences were tougher than for murder, and how the Skaf rapes – and their traumatic trials – changed the country.
Spotless refusal to pay redundancy unlawful
The Federal Court has held for the first time that Spotless' refusal to pay redundancy to long-serving contract staff is unlawful.
'The Australian white male needs to change'
Orchestra leader Richard Tognetti reveals how he maintains his motivation after 29 years in the role.
It may be legal but that does not make it right
John Stanhope is convinced that if business wants to win back the trust in the community, then it must start at the top, with directors and executives.
Lifestyle
Perth to London flight sparks price war
Qantas is reinventing the kangaroo route with a non-stop flight from Perth to London and special introductory airfares, but competitors are fighting back.
