ASX enjoys best quarter since 2009
The S&P/ASX200 rose 10 per cent in the first three months of 2019, as investors shrugged off mounting concerns about the global economy.
'You should be very afraid': Volt boss to major banks
Neobanks will upturn familiar banking orthodoxy and usher in a new world driven by experiences rather than products..
Why banks won't pass on all of the RBA's next cut
If the RBA cuts twice as many predict, mortgage holders might be left disappointed.
The new Chinese property play
Chinese investors and Australian developers have developed a mutually beneficial relationship.
- Opinion
- Bonds
Bonds threaten woe, but it's different this time
A dramatic week in markets has cast a pall over the future of the world's biggest economy, and left investors with plenty to worry about, writes Patrick Commins.
Macquarie to slash fixed rates
Macquarie Bank is set to slash fixed rates by up to 60 basis points in a major overhaul of fixed mortgages in response to falling funding costs.
- Live
- Markets Live
ASX closes higher despite late slide
Australian shares closed Friday's session higher despite a late slide, as gains by the major miners lifted the market.
Business
The robots coming to choose your groceries
Online retailer Ocado's swarm of dalek-like robots will give Coles an edge on fulfilment speed and costs, but could trigger an online "arms race" if Woolworths follows suit.
'Get bang for your buck': Citi veteran on lessons of recession
The veteran economist is an anomaly in a field of young guns that has never seen a recession - and that alarms him.
Customers reviewing insurance ahead of shake-up
The most wide-ranging changes to health insurance in two decades have been introduced, with most due to take effect on Monday.
Why Amazon's been slow out of the blocks
Data crunched by Morgan Stanley suggests that Amazon is struggling to beat Australian retailers JB Hi-Fi and Rebel on price with its limited range of locally warehoused product.
Lacaze put personal turmoil aside to take on Wesfarmers
The Lynas chief executive was preparing to take her elderly mother to hospital when the Rob Scott-led conglomerate dropped its takeover bombshell.
Alex Perry falsely accused in unfair dismissal case
An ex-employee fabricated claims of sexist comments as part of his claim he was unfairly dismissed, Fair Work has ruled.
Inside NAB's strategy to turn around wealth division MLC
MLC's advice business will target Generation Xers who will collectively inherit $4 trillion in the next 20 years.
Markets
Credit growth lowest since records began
Credit growth in housing has now hit its lowest annualised level since records started in 1977.
- Opinion
- Emerging markets
Emerging markets weaken over Turkey
Turkey is spiralling into deep economic crisis and capital flight overwhelms the Erdogan regime, writes Ambrose Evans-Pritchard.
Lyft valued at $34.3b in first ride-hailing IPO
Lyft's IPO sets the stage for the stock market debut of larger rival Uber Technologies, which sources have said is coming in April.
What happened in markets before the bell
Shares on Wall Street closed higher, though they drifted so rather than moving with any particular upward momentum.
Bonus madness has merit: Ritholtz
While much of the outside world sees bonuses as outlandish, Barry Ritholtz argues they reward highly skilled workers in a highly competitive business.
Opinion
Budget in surplus an election game changer
Prime Minister Scott Morrison deserves considerable credit for the best fiscal result since December 2008, saving home owners an interest rate hike, writes Christopher Joye.
Columnist
Amazonslow out of the blocks in Australia
Morgan Stanley data suggests Amazon is struggling to beat some local retailers on price and range.
Columnist
PE formula outruns the rest
The global rise and rise of PE over the past couple of decades is largely driven by a record of higher returns relative to other asset classes, but it is matched by the decline in the number of public companies. It's a massive shift in capitalism.
Columnist
Tax ambush for this election budget
In the federal budget on Tuesday, the Morrison government will be placing similar store as John Howard did in a big pile of tax cuts before calling an election, presumably by the end of the week.
Political Editor
Politics
Delays at Sydney Airport after tower fire
Air traffic control staff at the airport were cleared to return to the tower after smoke led to evacuation just before midday on Friday.
- Exclusive
- Election
Labor sets date for property crackdown
Investors will have just over six months to beat new curbs on negative gearing and capital gains tax if Labor wins the May election.
Daniel Crennan schools Shorten
ASIC enforcer Daniel Crennan has a message for his former classmate Bill Shorten – and it's not about sending people to jail.
Ring-fence NDIS billions: Labor
Disability groups, Labor and some states are demanding the government rule out using unspent funding on the National Disability Insurance Scheme to bolster the budget bottom line.
First State Super wants 'updated' sole purpose test
Super funds have branched into banking, property development, life insurance and financial advice. But are they in breach of the sole-purpose test or is the law out of date?
SPONSORED
World
- Analysis
- Brexit
What next for Brexit? UK still debates on day it was set to leave
Theresa May promised Britain would leave the EU on March 29. That it will not represents one of the great stumbles of any government in postwar Britain.
Thailand facing years of political instability
Despite the emergence of a new political force, Thailand's election result does nothing to address the country's weak foundations of democracy.
Set example against extremism, Ardern tells memorial service
Jacinda Ardern urged New Zealanders to 'make the very best of us a daily reality' and called on world leaders to condemn the cycle of extremism..
New York sues billionaire family behind maker of OxyContin
A lawsuit claims drug manufacturers collaborated to falsely deny the serious risks of opioid addiction, and accuses drug distributors of skirting systems meant to limit orders for painkillers.
Britain admits Huawei risk to 5G
Britain’s cybersecurity agency has distanced itself from an Australia-style ban on Huawei, saying its risk-mitigation model is working.
Real Estate
Millennials don't want sprawling homes
Baby Boomers and Millennials want very different types of houses, creating a major problem in the real-estate market.
5 of the most exclusive homes for sale around Australia this week
Choose from these luxurious residences in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Inside the plan to build our first smart city
Plans are underway to create a smart city where traffic lights communicate with vehicles, and smart roads collect rain water.
Starwood Capital's green 1 Hotel to debut in Melbourne
The brand was developed by renowned American hotelier Barry Sternlicht, the founder of Starwood Hotels and Starwood Capital.
In-demand affordable housing bonds a new asset class: NHFIC
UK offers the model of a country with a large market for bonds funding social and affordable housing.
Personal Finance
- Opinion
- Strata
How not to be sued by your fellow apartment owners
Got a complaint about a neighbour in your apartment block? You'll need to tread carefully – here's how.
Consumers confused over financial advice: ASIC
Major banks exiting personal advice have been put on notice the "general advice" label could be misleading to customers.
Why mining stocks can keep climbing
Credit Suisse believes a rebound in Chinese and global industrial production can push our miners higher.
Technology
The battle to control artificial intelligence
One man holds the future of artificial intelligence in his hands. But is Google the right company to usher in the future of humanity?
Social media platforms can't self-regulate
Ex-Facebook Australia boss Stephen Scheeler has thrown his support behind potential legislation that would jail social media executives for not removing extremist material quickly enough.
Facebook bans 'representation of white nationalism'
"It's clear that these concepts are deeply linked to organised hate groups and have no place on our services," the social media giant said.
Leadership
'Don't believe myths on Finnish education'
It's obvious what's damaging education standards, and it's not the quality of teaching, education expert Pasi Sahlberg explains over Lunch with The AFR.
- Opinion
- Gender pay gap
How women should argue for a pay rise
Women often lack the confidence to ask for more pay because they don’t think the value they bring is good enough. Here's what they should do.
Lifestyle
There's enough Grange to go around despite cruel harvest
The mastermind behind Australia's most famous wine says while Mother Nature can be cruel there's no need for hand wringing after a lean Barossa grape harvest.
Are you an insomniac or a short sleeper?
The amount of shut-eye individuals need to prevent fatigue or flightiness is different from the amount needed to forestall over-eating, diabetes or depression.
A trio of anniversaries for Sydney Dance Company's Cinco
Crafting costumes for contemporary dancers took Bianca Spender some way out of her comfort zone. But it was discomfort of the most fulfilling kind, she says.
These are the world's best airports in 2019
Singapore was beaten by its old rival when it came to filling up before a flight, as Hong Kong grabbed the top spot for the best airport dining experience.
The racy SUV that'll set you back $390,000
The well-chiselled Urus is the most practical Lamborghini ever, and the least like any other Lamborghini before it.
Most Viewed
How Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC partners minimise their tax bill
Labor sets January 1 start for CGT and negative gearing plans
Beware the ATO's crackdown on home office claims
Pratt's $15b fortune set to top Rich List for third year
Tax ambush for this election budget
Budget in surplus an election game changer
