Floats on ice after year of shame
Investors lured into capital raisings and new floats are nursing double digit losses. That will make it harder for companies to raise money in 2019.
PwC slashes R&D staff after ATO action
Professional services giant PwC laid off more than 30 staff and two partners left its division advising on research and development incentive applications as clients were hit with government audits.
Wall St largely flat 2019, tips Macquarie
Macquarie is expecting flat to marginally higher returns for US equities in 2019, predicting the S&P 500 Index will return to the 2800 points level.
Shares headed for rocky start
Three risks dominate the investment climate heading into 2019 and unluckily for investors, it is one they can't control - growth - that could be the most destructive.
Noni B close to overtaking Myer
You know the retail world has changed when Noni B is valued at only $59 million less than Myer.
Forget disruption in tech investing
In a sector defined by agility, innovation and first mover advantage, Graham Hay favours Cisco, Microsft and Samsung over companies like Netflix.
IOOF board faces ASIC action
The board of IOOF faces potential enforcement action from the corporate regulator as investigations continue in the wake of the prudential regulator's attempt to disqualify management.
'Deeply upset' bank investors hit Westpac
At Westpac's AGM on Wednesday, a much-expected a strike would deliver a final body blow after a violent year in the ring.
Boards will be made to feel fundies' pain
With fund mangers under increasing pressure to deliver returns, boards need to know it's a matter of when, not if, they will get activist-like pressure.
New 'career' risk facing bank staff
Fair Work has warned a strict new protocol where banks share information on employees could end a worker's career.
CBA failed to notify police over 'blatant larceny'
A CBA staffer was fired for stealing thousands of dollars in cash but the bank did not tell police and even paid him three week's notice.
Coopers valued at $424m in buyback
Coopers Brewery also took a small write-down on its stake in the firm that runs NSW's Container Deposit Scheme.
'Frank Squared': Quintis' small world revealed
Receivers' hearings examined how a trust, of which Frank Wilson is a beneficiary, played an essential role in allowing an Abu Dhabi investor to exit plantations.
A messy end to 2018 returns focus to fundamentals
If we have some ideas as to why interest rates are low, what can we say about returns on financial assets over the year ahead? Probably higher bond yields, but moving slowly.
Investors call for more climate ambition
"The reality is that the long-term nature of the challenge has, in our view, met a zombie-like response by many," said Chris Newton, head of responsible investment at IFM Investors.
US slowdown a slippery slope to trade war
There is a huge gulf between US and Chinese expectations of trade talks – and disappointment will be a very dangerous thing.
US hiring slows to 155k jobs
US jobs and wages didn't rise as much as expected in November, while the unemployment rate held at the lowest in almost 50 years, a Labour Department report showed.
Opinion
Scurrah on hold for DP World deal
DP World's $1 billion-plus plan to recover control of its Australian container terminals business is closing in on fulfilment.
Boards will be made to feel fundies' pain
With fund mangers under increasing pressure to deliver returns, boards need to know it's a matter of when, not if, they will get activist-like pressure.
There but for the grace of Huawei
Imagine if Meng Wangzhou's route from Hong Kong to Mexico had been via Sydney rather than Vancouver! Australia's argument it doesn't have to choose between China and the US is ever less convincing.
Morrison pulls nuclear option early
It is not a good sign for the government's political fortunes – if it does indeed plan to survive until May – that the Prime Minister felt compelled to bring out the nuclear option on Thursday.
Hockey urges US to use capitalism for infrastructure
Ambassador Joe Hockey is pressing the United States to urgently unlock trillions of dollars of underperforming US infrastructure assets but is meeting resistance to his favoured asset recycling method.
Energy winners and losers under Labor
The prospect of an ALP government brings with it the likelihood of some tough policies but many in the sector at least look forward to a defined plan.
How to build a business tax system fit for the 21st century
Switching the corporate tax base to cash flow and economic rents could encourage more company investment at the same time as it raises more tax.
Victoria's Andrews turns guns on Morrison government
Mr Morrison returned fire, accusing Mr Andrews of fighting battles for federal opposition leader Bill Shorten.
PM downplays March election chance
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has moved to downplay speculation the government was leaving the door ajar for a possible early election in March to avoid having its minority position exposed by a vote in the House of Representatives in the new year.
Sage of Omaha to the rescue - again
Buffett’s interest offers elegant solution to tricky stand-off with India’s central bank
How Jared Kushner became Saudi Arabia's new best friend
The President's son-in-law has become chief defender of Saudi heir Prince Mohammed bin Salman. But its not clear what the US has got out of it.
Theresa May must go if her deal is voted down
The British PM cannot survive Parliament's rejection of her hideous compromise Brexit plan
China warns Canada of 'consequences' if Huawei executive not freed
Chinese state media warned Canada would pay a "dear price" for the jailing of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.
The year China's luck ran dry
There are clear signs China's leadership lacks both imagination and any real ability to make fundamental political and social changes that might impact its desire for total control.
Personal Finance
How Lance Armstrong turned $100,000 into $20m
An investment in a venture capital fund that bought into Uber Technologies has proved to be a lifeline for the disgraced cyclist.
Strap in for volatile markets
Volatility is getting more attention from investors when it comes to evaluating market strategies, not just for the next few months but the next few years.
Look after your new spouse and shield kids' inheritance
You can protect both your spouse's well-being as well as your children's inheritance in your will. This is how to do it.
Australia's Bradbury No.1 in global tax
Former Labor federal minister and tax lawyer David Bradbury has been named the most influential person in global tax for tackling the vexed issue of taxing international technology companies.
ATARs dictate thinking on study, career options
Less than 15 per cent of students who are waiting to get their ATAR results later this week say they are satisfied with the ATAR system in preparing them for their next career phase.
Flinders University breaks with teaching tradition
The Fair Work Commissioner Christopher Platt said "the organisational change process should continue with some urgency", meaning the changes can come into effect in the new academic year.
Now for something completely different
Gareth Evans said he had been surprised by the strength of some of the criticisms that had been made at Sydney University.
Lifestyle
Perth's newest hotel shakes off the beige
There's something safe about most CBD hotels. But every now and again it's time to mix things up and have a bit of fun and to not take life so seriously.
