SMSF turning point: carry on or wind up?
With ever-changing rules and restrictions, this is what you need to know whether you're forging ahead with your self-managed superannuation fund or handing over the reins.
Nosebleed valuations for two tech stocks
Nearmap and Pro Medicus have built global software platforms that are far more advanced than the products offered by their competitors.
How the RBA kept the banks afloat
RBA leaders explain what happened as the GFC hit, why cash advances to the banks almost doubled, and how the banking guarantee turned into a 'nice little earner' for the federal government.
How Transurban trapped its giant
Five days before the final decision on WestConnex, Rod Sims threw a grenade and the whole project found itseld screaming towards a concrete wall at 100km/h.
Mark Bouris fights on for Yellow Brick Road
The conundrum buffeting the big banks and their challenged forays into wealth management is throwing up even harder questions for under siege Mark Bouris.
ASIC exposes $28m in insurance kickbacks
ASIC has found super funds are automatically classing customers as smokers, resulting in higher insurance premiums
ASX's sweet run turns sour
The savage and swift turnaround in the sharemarket in recent days threatens to erase all the year's hard-fought gains - what's going on?
Jack Ma plans to retire as chairman of Alibaba
Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma says he plans to step down from his role at the company on Monday, according to reports.
Erupting trade storm rattles global markets
Australian stocks are barely positive for the year after a torrid week that saw trade, emerging markets and regulation rock investor confidence.
New Westconnex CEO earns $862k more than predecessor
Andrew Head is expected to replace Dennis Cliche in managing WestConnex with a salary that is almost double his predecessor's.
New James Hardie CEO sees upside in smaller houses
The incoming CEO of James Hardie thinks the shrinking size of new house lots will be a handy buffer in a property slowdown.
Hayne turns attention to insurer tactics
Life insurers are under pressure to ditch cold calling and rethink their direct selling model as the banking royal commission is expected to turn its attention to their high pressure tactics next week.
Average hourly earnings rise 2.9pc
The surprise August pickup in US wages offered hope that earnings are finally pivoting away from the mediocre pace that's marred an otherwise strong job market.
Why we should be worried about the next GFC
In a very real sense the global economy today looks very much like the global economy in 2006, when central bankers were preparing for a US adjustment that turned out to be the GFC.
Why Aussie investors need to watch emerging markets
The pendulum has swung against emerging markets, many of which are now battling to stem a slide in their currencies, and growing debt piles.
Trump's thumps don't cause stock slumps
Wall Street is learning to live with President Donald Trump's criticism of prominent companies.
$50b wiped off ASX this week
Trade concerns have wiped close to $50 billion off the Australian sharemarket's market capitalisation this week as investors traded cautiously.
Opinion
Let there be love in the Liberals
There might have been news of the best economic data in six years, but it didn't quite rate against the accusations of bullying, and the succession of leaks, and paybacks that drove the news cycle this week.
Morrison taps into advertising to push the bond
Attempting to flick the switch from Liberal Party beastliness, Scott Morrison knows advertising campaigns that promote a bond between the advertiser and the consumer are winners.
Hidden dangers in super’s new financial order
Industry funds talk openly of taking direct equity stakes in listed companies, but it could further expose Australia's capital markets and companies to political pressures and hidden investment risks.
House price correction will get worse
Assuming NAB follows ANZ, CBA and Westpac's lead and boosts variable mortgage rates, the current housing correction should extend a little.
An Abbott, Farage love-in hits Sydney
God save the Queen, because it seems nothing can save the Liberal Party.
PM 'not fussed' by Liberal bullying leaks
Scott Morrison says he is not fussed or distracted by damaging leaks about bullying within the Liberal Party, saying the right structures existed to deal with the problem.
Roman Quaedvlieg doubles down on Dutton evidence
The former boss of the Australian Border Force has submitted new evidence to a parliamentary committee considering ministerial interventions in tourist visas.
Business push for new energy framework
State governments, business groups and industry are preparing to "go it alone" on preparing a framework to provide certainty for investment in the energy sector, saying they are dismayed by the implosion of the Coalition's National Energy Guarantee.
No definitive conclusion in Joyce investigation
An eight-month investigation into allegations former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce sexually harassed a Western Australian farmer has failed to reach a definitive conclusion.
Trump wants Justice to unmask op-ed writer
Donald Trump declared the US Justice Department should investigate and unmask the author of a bitingly critical New York Times opinion piece.
Trump threatens ever wider tariff net
President Donald Trump said he's ready to impose tariffs on an additional $376 billion in Chinese goods on short notice.
US adds 201,000 jobs, jobless rate flat at 3.9pc
US employers hired slightly more workers than expected in August, despite the Trump administration's ongoing conflicts with its trading partners.
Trump set to escalate China trade tariffs
The escalation of tensions between the US and China into a full-blown trade war rattled global markets as Donald Trump looks poised to unleash the biggest wave of tariffs so far.
Inside Trump's horror week
"It's like the horror movies when everyone realises the call is coming from inside the house," was how one insider put it.
Personal Finance
Rising rates put pressure on property investors
Rising interest rates, an oversupply of apartments, low auction clearance rates, falling property prices and vendor discounting are increasing pressure on investors and smashing market sentiment.
Investor home lending at lowest level in nine years
Investor home lending fell to its lowest level in nine years in July as banks tightened housing credit for investors, spurred by the banking royal commission and APRA.
Insurers might be breaking anti-discrimination laws
The royal commission is expected to hear from a case study addressing insurers' handling of mental health issues when the hearing recommences from Monday.
Maureen Dowd explains why Trump isn't as bad as Cheney
Over Lunch with the AFR, legendary political columnist Maureen Dowd gives her verdict on Donald Trump as the world watches what may be the early onset of presidential Alzheimer's.
Women's rugby league just one facet of changing game
The changing face of rugby league will be on display as the code enters what could be the closest finals series in years, according to Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie.
Promote women on 'merit alone'
Lendlease executive Kylie Rampa says quotas create the risk that women receiving promotions will create tension in the workplace.
Teacher who encourages girls to study maths wins top award
A teacher who mentors girls to study maths in their final years at school has been given the country's top maths-teaching award.
Lifestyle
What makes an artwork go viral?
Christian Marclay's The Clock created an instant buzz on its 2010 debut and went on to conquer the world. But what makes a piece of art click with viewers - and what makes them click on it?
