RBA retreats on rate hike
Slowing growth has forced Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe to retreat from his tightening bias and declare "the probabilities appear to be more evenly balanced" between an interest rate hike and an interest rate cut.
One thing CBA can thank Narev for
Commonwealth Bank shareholders could be forgiven for seeing the ghost of Ian Narev floating around the bank in recent days. That ghost giveth and the ghost taketh away.
Trump appeals for unity in speech
US President Donald Trump is about to give deliver his annual State of the Union speech, delayed by the recent government shutdown. Follow us live from Congress.
CBA profit shows dividend resilience
When you control 25 per cent of all home loans and handle about a third of all household deposits, as CBA does, it's hard not to make a big profit.
Housing lot defaults hit 25 per cent
One in four buyers of housing lots in Melbourne, the country's biggest residential land market, are defaulting on their purchases, says Financial Review Rich Lister Nigel Satterley.
Markets Live: Info Tech leading ASX
The S&P;/ASX 200 is up to 6036 led by information technology and industrial stocks. Banks and utilities are underperforming.
Vocus founder rides Splitit wave
Shares in the first tech IPO of the year, Splitit, have more than quadrulpled after its first week on the ASX.
Royal commission pushes up CBA's costs
CBA has delivered a cash profit for the half year of $4.68 billion, up 1.7 per cent despite higher funding costs, driven by strong home lending growth from its branches, lower operating expenses and bad debts falling.
TPG nabs Greencross pet group
US private equity giant TPG snares pet suppler and vet operator Greencross after its $675 million offer was approved by shareholders.
New Virgin Australia boss appointed
Virgin Australia has appointed Paul Scurrah as the airline's new chief executive to succeed John Borghetti.
ACCC scrutinising outdoor ad rebates
Discounts and rebates in the outdoor advertising market will come under scrutiny as the competition watchdog launches an initial investigation into practices in the sector.
Coles signs Viva fuel deal as Express profits plunge
Coles has renegotiated its uncompetitive fuel supply deal with Viva Energy but has warned convenience earnings will fall 62 per cent this year.
Capital the positive in CBA result: analysts
Commonwealth Bank of Australia's half-year result has confirmed what fund managers already suspected: it's not easy out there for banks.
Macquarie desk on fire - but who's caught in transition?
It has been a busy few days for Macquarie's equities desk.
What happened in markets before the bell
Australian shares are poised to rise ahead of a midday speech by RBA governor Philip Lowe.
Exxon, Qatar approve Texas LNG plant
ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum will begin construction immediately on a $13.8 billion LNG export facility in Texas.
Vale mining halt risks 'supply shock'
Vale's decision to temporarily halt more of its operations in Brazil could cause "incremental supply shock" and lift prices.
Opinion
CBA profit shows dividend resilience
When you control 25 per cent of all home loans and handle about a third of all household deposits, as CBA does, it's hard not to make a big profit.
One thing CBA can thank Narev for
Commonwealth Bank shareholders could be forgiven for seeing the ghost of Ian Narev floating around the bank in recent days. That ghost giveth and the ghost taketh away.
NAB's Ken Henry faces another crisis
Kenneth Hayne's decision to single out NAB chairman Ken Henry and CEO Andrew Thorburn for special criticism in his final report has the potential to end their careers at the bank.
India will continue to rise, regardless of its politics
Recent state elections suggest this year's nationwide poll could be tight. Its outcome might not alter economic policies all that much. But it might alter India. Whatever happens, India is an important country.
'Desperate and dangerous' bill: Tanna
Catherine Tanna, the head of EnergyAustralia, has laid into the energy divestment bill with the harshest criticism yet of the government's motives for pushing it forward.
PM rules out snap election
The Prime Minister says an historical defeat in Parliament next week won't spark a snap election, describing a bill for medical transfers of asylum seekers as "stupid".
Labor accuses PM of squibbing on Hayne
Labor says the government has either rejected or failed to fully commit to implement 14 of Commissioner Kenneth Hayne's 76 recommendations.
ASIC backing for 'white-collar crime court'
The Federal Court is poised to become the main forum for "white-collar" crime, with ASIC and the Commonwealth DPP supporting a move aimed at reducing waiting times of more than two years.
Malcolm Turnbull lauds 'outstanding' Julia Banks
Malcolm Turnbull has strongly endorsed Liberal defector Julia Banks and given a lukewarm assessment of the Coalition's electoral prospects.
Trump-Kim summit set for February 27-28
President Donald Trump plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam on February 27 and 28, news reports say.
This is what it takes to be in the 1pc around the world
Since the financial crisis, perhaps no income level has been cited more than the so-called "1 per cent". Yet that term can describe a wide variety of earners, depending on where you live.
India will continue to rise, regardless of its politics
Recent state elections suggest this year's nationwide poll could be tight. Its outcome might not alter economic policies all that much. But it might alter India. Whatever happens, India is an important country.
Britain mulls zero-tariffs plan
Australian exporters to Britain could be $200m a year better off if Trade Secretary Liam Fox's plan is adopted in a no-deal Brexit.
Apple agrees to pay Paris about $800m in back taxes
Apple's French division said it had reached a deal with Paris to pay an undeclared amount of back-dated tax, a figure estimated at about €500 million.
Personal Finance
Melbourne's cladding fire exposes more than you think
The fire in the cladding of a residential building set our alarm bells ringing, but do we have reason to panic?
IAG cuts dividend after profits dive
IAG's first-half net profit fell 9.3 per cent to $500 million as the general insurer cut its interim dividend to 12¢ per share.
New rules allow you to put more into super
A change to the contribution rules from July 1 helps people with limited balances to top up their retirement savings without having to satisfy the work test.
NAB's Ken Henry faces another crisis
Kenneth Hayne's decision to single out NAB chairman Ken Henry and CEO Andrew Thorburn for special criticism in his final report has the potential to end their careers at the bank.
'Upset': NAB bosses fight to survive
NAB chief Andrew Thorburn and chairman Ken Henry will fight for their jobs amid growing political pressure, insisting the bank has learnt from its mistakes.
The evening stroll that saved Shesh Ghale millions
Last June, AFR Rich Listers Shesh Ghale and wife Jamuna Gurung took a stroll that should ensure they maintain the billionaire status they will reach in 2019.
Public trust in Aussie CEOs jumps
The public are urging CEOs to take a greater lead on social issues and drive the national agenda, with public trust in local business leaders jumping significantly this year.
Lifestyle
Blackman's $2m Alice set to stir up art market
Charles Blackman's Alice on the Table has top billing for the autumn auction season and will test the market less than a year after his death.
