'Pretty tough': Developer hammered
AVJennings profit plunged 90 per cent and managing director Peter Summers blamed "consumer confidence" amid "extreme" media coverage of the property downturn.
Secret number 'fake news', Cranston trial told
The case against former deputy tax commissioner Michael Cranston was based on vague evidence, failed to show that he acted dishonestly and ignored the issue of "the secret number", his defence told the District Court.
Financials drag ASX into the red
Financial stocks dragged the sharemarket down, as Bendigo Bank's weaker-than-anticipated results took the wind out of the high-flying banking sector.
Coalition told to move on insurance reform
The small business watchdog has backed Labor's move to extend unfair contract laws to protect insurance consumers.
How long can JB Hi-Fi outrun the doubters?
JB Hi-Fi's first-half results provide a perfect demonstration of the conundrum facing investors in the retail sector.
Costello sees Future Fund role in super
Peter Costello says the $147b Future Fund fund could provide investment expertise to a new government-owned default superannuation fund to meet one of the banking royal commission proposals.
Future Fund delivers thumping 5.8pc
The Future Fund has weathered market volatility to deliver an impressive 5.8 per cent return, beating the strongest performing super funds last year.
JB Hi-Fi shares up 7pc on better outlook
Short sellers in JB Hi-Fi are rushing to cover positions after the retailer reaffirmed full-year sales and forecast better-than-expected profit.
Local gas prices 'resilient to LNG softness'
Cooper Energy chief executive David Maxwell is still finding "robust" demand for gas at $9-$11 a gigajoule, despite LNG spot prices being at 17-month lows.
Henry should not appoint CEO: Costello
Future Fund chairman and former federal treasurer Peter Costello has criticised the NAB's handling of its leadership crisis.
Sigma jobs to go in $100m cost cut
Sigma Healthcare chief executive Mark Hooper said job losses were "inevitable" as part of a plan to strip $100 million in costs from the business.
Bendigo Bank takes aim at Hayne
Banking royal commissioner Kenneth Hayne did not go far enough, says Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's managing director.
Markets Live: ASX closes at 6060
S&P;/ASX 200 closed 10 points lower at 6060 after reaching a high of 6084 in the morning.
Trump dream of cheap oil still alive
The new year's oil price rally has fizzled out as renewed concerns about growth in demand outweigh the tightening of supply through OPEC cuts and US sanctions.
$4.7m gone. Why didn't investors notice?
How did this financial adviser transfer $4.7 million in client funds into his personal bank account without them noticing?
'Hard to put an Afterpay up against a PayPal'
Lawyer turned fund manager Lachlan Hughes takes a 10-year view on every company he invests in. He likes Facebook and Paypal and his Swell Global Fund returned 8 per cent in calendar 2018.
Private equity an antidote to late cycle wobbles
There are always innovative private equity opportunities and excellent ideas that need capital, regardless of where we are in the cycle. But quality of assets and experience matters.
Opinion
How long can JB Hi-Fi outrun the doubters?
JB Hi-Fi's first-half results provide a perfect demonstration of the conundrum facing investors in the retail sector.
If you're happy and they know it, they get rich!
If you've ever wondered why you're so addicted to Facebook or to Instagram, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism explains it.
Five-day test for market, economy
With the theatrics of the royal commission almost over, investors can get down to the serious business of taking the temperature of the ASX and the broader Australian economy.
Political heat will singe all bank leaders
Andrew Thorburn and Ken Henry may be going but the chief executives and chairmen of the other big three banks won't escape increasingly loud calls for them to also "consider their positions".
Australia can scuttle French subs project
After fraught negotiations, Morrison government finally signs long-awaited contract with France for $50 billion submarine project.
Harper slams PM's power breakups
Ian Harper has slammed the federal government's plan for US-style breakup powers for energy companies as an over-reaction liable to freeze investment and make the electricity market worse not better.
Delay R&D; tax changes government told
The federal government has been told to delay planned changes to R&D; tax incentives, with a parliamentary committee warning against a retrospective crackdown.
Rudd calls on Labor to halve union votes
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has called for the Labor Party to create a "grand coalition" of business, community organisations and environmentalists that relies less on unions.
Adani launches PR blitz on Carmichael mine
Indian energy giant Adani has launched an advertising blitz calling on the Palaszczuk government to give the company a "fair go" and approve its controversial $2 billion Carmichael mine.
Spain takes a gamble on 22 per cent minimum wage hike
Spain is embarking on a major economic experiment: A 22 per cent jump in the minimum wage that's ignited a high-stakes debate about how it will affect the economy.
China's holiday spending growth slows
The downward pressure on China's consumption persisted over the Lunar New Year holiday, the annual festival when people travel, shop, and give gifts or money.
Brazil's economy minister vows return of ‘order’
Brazil's economy minister has vowed to end years of failed state interventions as Latin America's largest economy embarks on sweeping free-market reforms under President Jair Bolsonaro.
US policy in Asia heads from bad to worse
If the last year is any indication of what will happen in 2019, US policy in Asia will be erratic and self-serving.
Transurban's US boss urges Congress on asset recycling
Transurban Group's US chief is urging reluctant Democrats to keep an open mind on the use of Australian-style asset recycling to help address a badly backlogged US infrastructure pipeline.
Personal Finance
Buy, hold, sell: Stocks to watch
Livewire's James Marlay talks to Joe Magyer from Lakehouse and James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners about stocks to watch in 2019.
Adopt NZ default super: Howes
Australia should consider mimicking elements of New Zealand's KiwiSaver model for default superannuation, says former union leader Paul Howes, who heads up KPMG's wealth management division.
Your fitbit could get you an insurance discount
A $400 million tech transformation at MLC Life Insurance will pave the way for it to be able to offer "continuous underwriting" and integrations with fitness apps and gyms.
ASIC takes 3 years to charge bank trader
The corporate regulator took 3 1/2 years to charge a derivatives trader who made up figures to mask his trading losses, a court has heard.
Doyle accuser takes complaint to police
A woman who claimed former Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle inappropriately touched her at a dinner in 2016 has spoken publicly about it for the first time.
Kerryn Phelps MP: the lady is not for turning
The independent MP for Wentworth doesn't like talking about herself, but she is confident her lifelong role as a change agent will help deliver more shock election outcomes, she tells Lunch with the AFR.
Ex-Deutsche trader pleads for no jail time
Andrew Donaldson has pleaded to be spared jail, arguing no one lost money because of him, and his personal and financial situation is dire after delays in prosecution.
Lifestyle
Depressed? It could be your diet
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine has found that a healthy diet can reduce the symptoms associated with depression.
