Labor's build-to-rent plan boosts investors
Institutional investors will be encouraged by a tax cut for build-to-rent schemes, bringing the asset class into line with investment in offices and malls.
Negative gearing falls to 14 year low
The proportion of Australia's 2.2 milion landlords who are negatively geared fell to 60 per cent in fiscal 2017, the lowest level since 2003, the latest Tax Office statistics show.
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Drunken dreams of One Nation still alive
When mainstream parties stand for little, One Nation gets a chance to hunt for preferences and the balance of power in the Senate, writes Laura Tingle.
ASX fails to recover from $20b sell-off
Shares were unable to rebound from its second-worst loss this year as a slide in the major banks saw the market end the week lower.
Low rates could make Australian firms prey for global mega-caps
Record low long-term rates could be squandered by Australian businesses, which are more likely to be hunted in a wave of private equity and mega-cap mergers and acquisitions.
Joyce threatens Coalition truce over power policies
How can it be that it is okay to export coal to other countries while 128,000 families live in the dark, asks former Nationals leader.
Investors look to sell in uncertain market
A January start for Labor's property tax changes may spur a burst of activity in the second half of this year.
Business
Why foreign banks are rushing into Australia
Foreign banks are streaming into Australia as they escape pockets of instability and leverage concessions designed to promote competition.
QIC appoints Ian Martin as chairman
The incoming chairman of the $85 billion fund manager Queensland Investment Corporation, Ian Martin, will take over from Don Luke next week.
Brookfield snags more time on Healthscope bid
The complex offer documents need an independent expert and ASIC review, and court approval, so it won't be dispatched within the normal two months window from making the offer.
Retail Food Group dodges a bullet
Gloria Jeans owner Retail Food Group has dodged another bullet, renegotiating debt covenants with bankers.
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.
Markets
Low rates could make Australian firms prey for global mega-caps
Record low long-term rates could be squandered by Australian businesses, which are more likely to be hunted in a wave of private equity and mega-cap mergers and acquisitions.
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.
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.
Opinion
Why banks won't pass on the RBA's next cut
There is no way the banks will want to pass on a cut in July or August of this year – regardless of the political pressure they will be under.
Columnist
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
Amazon slow 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
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.
Government hopes $44m foundation will boost China ties
Foreign Minister Marise Payne will also appoint one of Australia's top China hands to key embassy post.
- 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.
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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.
Pratt's $15b fortune set to top Rich List
Anthony Pratt, the country's richest person, reveals the business advice he gives his children.
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.
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Pratt's $15b fortune set to top Rich List for third year
OMG what have I done?
Budget in surplus an election game changer
Millennials don't want to buy Boomers' sprawling, multi-bedroom homes
