'Orwellian' vision of financial planning
If the big four banks and AMP were to vacate financial planning it could leave hapless customers more vulnerable.
Labor sticks to high-end income tax slug
Labor is refusing to back away from its plan to raise the top marginal income tax rate to almost 50 per cent even though a key justification for the slug has been removed by the government.
Dover signed clients to 'Orwellian' policy
The head of one of the nation's biggest financial planning networks conceded clients were asked to sign an "Orwellian" liability waiver that was possibly "unlawful", before he collapsed in the witness box.
Healthscope's $4.1b Groundhog Day
Ben Gray's exquisitely timed $4.1 billion takeover of hospitals group Healthscope is the perfect catalyst to explore the radical shift occurring in Australia's capital markets led by industry superannuation funds.
Dover signed clients to 'Orwellian' policy
The head of one of the nation's biggest financial planning networks conceded clients were asked to sign an "Orwellian" liability waiver that was possibly "unlawful", before he collapsed in the witness box.
The financial equivalent of #MeToo
Ok, call me stupid, naive, even greedy. I plead guilty. But I thought I could rely on an expert looking after my long-term best interests as well as her own commercial interests.
'Opportunistic' $6b Healthscope bid
Healthscope shareholders will consider a $4.1 billion takeover bid because of concerns about management and future prospects.
Wesfarmers CEO resists M&A; pressure
Wesfarmers chief Rob Scott says he won't be pressed into making acquisitions for the sake of diversifying.
FPA preoccupied with protecting adviser's reputation
The Financial Planning Association of Australia sought to keep the identity of a member facing disciplinary action, Sam Henderson, out of the banking royal commission to protect his reputation.
APRA ends cap on investor loan growth
APRA will remove its cap on investor loan growth and replace it with a series of more permanent measures to keep lending standards strong.
Newcrest's Cadia to hit full speed within weeks
Newcrest Mining's flagship Cadia mine is expected to resume operating within weeks, while its Lihir mine in PNG also showed signs it was running back into form.
AGL in $400m gas power plan
AGL Energy has brought forward a commitment to build a new $400 million gas power plant in Newcastle amid intense government pressure over its plan to close its Liddell coal plant.
UBS slashes Westpac price target
Shares in Westpac have been downgraded to a sell by UBS banking analysts following revelations from the royal commission that its lending controls were "ineffective".
Deutsche Bank to reduce investment banking
Deutsche Bank plans to cut back its investment bank to save costs and focus on European clients, retreating from a decades-long effort to compete with Wall Street peers.
Major banks lead ASX fall
The major banks have led the ASX lower as the fallout from the royal commission hits the financial services industry.
$A drops almost 3 per cent in a week
The Australian dollar could fall to fresh 2018 lows against the US dollar if investors continue to bid up the greenback.
Opinion
Morrison clears policy decks with an election budget
Both the government and the opposition have money to spend on pre-election packages. But no-one is taking about rising debt.
Banks keep handbrake on home lending
APRA may have taken its investor lending cap away, but UBS' big downgrade of Westpac shows the pressure on banks to lift lending standards remains.
Taurus forced to keep Finders
A Takeovers Panel ruling sets a new high-water mark for enforcement of truth in takeovers rules.
Wesfarmers' engines deliver strong growth
With all the drama surrounding Wesfarmers in recent times, the power of its Bunnings Australia and Kmart businesses is still impressive.
Guessing game for next US ambassador
Think-tanks say there is a shortage of alternative candidates to become America's top diplomat in Canberra.
PM splurges on projects to soothe WA
Malcolm Turnbull hopes big spending on rail, road and hospitals can save a swag of Liberal seats amid voter anger over the GST.
"Absolutely shocking" mathematics skills at uni
University mathematics teachers say the maths knowledge of new students is "absolutely shocking".
ATO hits ExxonMobil with tax claim over loans
Oil giant ExxonMobil has been hit with a tax claim by the Australian Tax Office in relation to interest rates on intra-company loans.
Keneally leads Labor assault on business
Labor's newest political star, Kristina Keneally, is leading the party's assault on an old enemy: big business.
French have their doubts about Trump-Macron bromance
The general sense is that Macron is playing with fire, even if he can establish himself, and France, as Trump's leading interlocutor in a Europe that has largely remained at arm's length.
Cohen says he'll plead the Fifth in Stormy Daniels case
Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer will invoke his Fifth Amendment right in a lawsuit filed against the president by Stephanie Clifford, the pornographic film star better known as Stormy Daniels.
Negotiation is not an easy word
North Korea has tried for decades to meet with a sitting president of the United States to boost its international standing.
Global tide turns for China to obey rules
Faced with a hostile operating environment in China, many large companies are asking their politicians to get tough on Beijing.
Russia keeps powder dry in Rusal row
Moscow is holding off on taking retaliatory measures against the US for imposing sanctions on Rusal, hoping the EU can persuade Washington to ease restrictions against Rusal.
Personal Finance
SMSF number limit to be lifted from four to six
Self-managed superannuation funds will be allowed to have six members rather than only four, Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer is expected to announce on Friday.
Westpac clamps down on property investors
Westpac Group, the nation's second largest mortgage lender, is tightening scrutiny of borrowers' switching from investment to owner occupier loans despite APRA removing a loan cap on investors.
Ford fined over dodgy transmissions
Ford Australia has been hit with a $10 million fine after trying to blame transmission problems in three models on poor driving from owners.
Philanthropists give more, others less
While high-net-worth people are giving more, the percentage of people in the broader population who donate money is in decline.
AMP, Clayton Utz chancing their arm
What is shocking here is that a major corporate and a major law firm thought that such a crude stunt was worth a try.
Climate 'could become like tobacco litigation'
The pace of inquiries from companies seeking reassurance about any potential liability has quickened, says climate lawyer Martijn Wilder.
ACTU bids to restore 'threat of arbitration'
Unions are calling for major new arbitration powers for the industrial umpire, including powers over head contractors and franchisors.
Lifestyle
Why Jaguar's E-Pace SUV is sure to delight
The Jaguar E-Pace is a small, lively five-seater with a starting price of $47,750. What's not to like?
