How dodgy planners kept their jobs
In most other professions, forging signatures, faking identities and other unethical behaviour will get you the sack. Not in financial planning.
Addicted to debt
Politics is set to trump logic and economics in next month's budget. Just don't mention the debt.
How to find a decent financial planner
Appalled by what you've heard at the royal commission? Here are a few basic checks and precautions you can take.
Why analysts are leaving their jobs in droves
At least 16 analysts have signalled a move in the last four months, illustrating a wave of change hitting research teams.
Budget figures confirm windfall for Treasurer
The government's finances were $9 billion better off in March providing a windfall for the Coalition as it readies what many believe will be a pre-election budget.
Great White Shark likes sports tech
When Greg Norman's Great White Shark Opportunity Fund this week took part in a $US21 million funding round for sports video start-up Playsight Interactive it confirmed the surging global interest in sports analytics.
Revealed: how much tax the top 10pc pay
Higher income earners continue to pay the bulk of income taxes amid politically-charged complaints that inequality is rising, new Tax Office data reveals.
AMP crisis deepens as charges invited
There are growing doubts AMP chairman Catherine Brenner will last beyond the weekend after Commissioner Kenneth Hayne was invited to find that AMP broke the law.
Westpac chief not giving up on wealth management
Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer says a retreat from wealth management may not be in the interests of the bank's customers.
Orr raises separation of products, advice
The banking royal commission has questioned whether banks should be forced to sell off their wealth arms.
ASIC's 'balancing act' under the microscope
A senior ASIC executive forced to admit many of its efforts to regulate the financial advice industry are not adequate.
Alinta set to finalise bid for Liddell
Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has effectively declared AGL's stance on Liddell as "unacceptable" as rival Alinta Energy is putting the final touches to a bid for the coal plant.
S&P; 500 higher amid growth debate
Most US stocks edged higher as the debate continued over whether better-than-forecast corporate earnings are enough to offset signs the economy may be cooling.
Argentina lifts interest rates
Argentina's central bank surprised markets by jolting its key interest rate up to 30.25 per cent, as it widens its effort to defend the peso.
FAANG stock earnings in high gear
Quality earnings from Amazon, Facebook and even Twitter showed the quality of the US tech stocks as they try to thwart the impulse for greater regulation.
ASX blockchain to go live at end of 2020
ASX said the distributed ledger being built by Blythe Masters' Digital Asset will automate corporate actions and may be used to reduce settlement times to reduce risk.
Opinion
Hurricane Hayne's trail of devastation
Kenneth Hayne has left plenty of casualties as he cut a swath through the financial planning industry.
Westpac demolishes UBS criticisms
UBS concerns that the big bank may have breached responsible lending laws are misplaced, says Christopher Joye.
GST is like dynamite in the west for PM
The federal budget sell is only the start -- then comes a new GST carve-up in states stuffed with marginal seats.
SMSF change 'concession' to small business
Family businesses and farming families stand to benefit from the government decision to allow six members per super fund.
Gonski 2.0 has a new test for kids
The aim is to measure the rate of improvement, or decline, in classes or even individual students.
Berejiklian makes 'bad call' on light rail
By refusing to resolve Sydney's light rail dispute through mediation, the NSW government defers any responsibility for cost blow-outs until after the next election.
Powerhouse move to cost $645m
The announcement comes despite a NSW parliamentary inquiry last year savaged the government's decision to relocate the Powerhouse Museum, calling it an "act of vandalism".
ACCC moves to boost gas price transparency
The corporate regulator says the gas market is still not functioning properly and is too exposed to international LNG prices, despite domestic prices falling.
Push to end non-recyclable waste by 2025
All Australian waste will need to be recyclable, reusable or combustible by 2025, under a plan to deal with China's ban on imported garbage.
Merkel fails to get tariff pass
German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to win a public commitment from President Donald Trump to halt US tariffs on imported steel and aluminium from Europe.
US growth cools to 2.3pc
US economic growth cooled last quarter as consumers pulled back following outsize spending in the prior period.
Debt bumps on China's Belt and Road
Analysts have warned easy access to Chinese capital will be a hard habit to kick for poorer countries along the 'Silk Road' route.
What now for peace on the Korean peninsula?
Despite the public overtures of goodwill, it remains to be seen whether there was any genuine progress at the closed-door meetings on Friday.
Turkmenistan dreams big with Belt and Road
In Turkmenistan, where the ghosts of totalitarians past and present haunt the streets, the nation's future is tied firmly to Belt and Road.
Personal Finance
Get forensic on your finances
Do you know what your bank adviser is really costing you? Work through our checklist to see whether you're being cheated too.
Orr raises separation of products, advice
The banking royal commission has questioned whether banks should be forced to sell off their wealth arms.
Work expense claims go up and up
Claims for workplace expenses continue to rise amid a Tax Office crackdown on deductions over concerns they are being rorted.
Richard Flanagan's reluctant lunch
Richard Flanagan didn't want to have lunch with the AFR, but finds his voice on Facebook, kindness and dodging catastrophe after winning the Man Booker prize.
Why Andrew Forrest is giving his fortune away
Andrew Forrest, wife Nicola and daughter Grace have a roll-up-your-sleeves, businesslike approach to giving away their millions - a legacy of Andrew's bulldozing approach to building Fortescue Metals Group.
QBE CEO to take $420k bonus haircut
Shareholder action has forced QBE's hand over the size of the CEO's bonus.
Ex Woolworths CEO dies from rare disease
Former Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe has died aged 64 from the rare brain disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Lifestyle
Wheel deal: inside the dockless bike sector
Behind the dockless bike boom, Chinese tech titans are jostling for dominance in urban transit and e-commerce.
