How to target a yield of 6 per cent
With volatile markets and growth set to slow, professional investors outline how to target inflation-beating income without taking on too much risk.
Labor investor hit to favour big super
Labor's tax crackdown on real estate and franking credits for mum and dad investors and self managed super will push billions of dollars into big industry and retail super funds.
Ace the budget, ace the election
This is the government's best chance to reset the agenda and convince jaded voters its MPs can get stuff done, both in Canberra and across the country.
- Exclusive
- Rich List
Meet the modern property Rich Lister
Arnold Vitocco has been building western Sydney all his life, but has urged planners in the region to look beyond the 'quarter-acre block'.
UK parliament rejects May for third time
The latest Brexit vote leaves it totally unclear how, when or even whether Britain will leave the EU.
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.
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.
Business
APRA names insurers with worst payout records
Suncorp rejects more than 30 per cent of superannuation members' total and disability insurance claims, while CommInsure accepts only one in four accidental death or injury claims.
ACCC lays into dodgy electricity discounting
Governments have also come in for criticism from the competition regulator for failing to act on recommended measures to cut power prices.
Citigroup 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.
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 on Tuesday.
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".
'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.
- Exclusive
- Coal
QBE to abandon thermal coal by 2030
Insurance giant QBE will stop insuring new thermal coal mines and power plants from July 1 this year.
Markets
What economists expect from the Federal budget
Economists are expecting measures to shore up the Australian economy at next week's budget but are divided on what to expect.
US stocks cap best quarter since 2009
Wall Street advanced, and the S&P 500 Index posted its best quarter since 2009. Shares in Lyft soared on their trading debut.
Kudlow urges half-point Fed cut
White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow escalated the Trump administration's fight with the central bank and challenging its independence.
- 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.
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.
Opinion
Door still open for One Nation's drunk dreams
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.
Columnist
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.
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
Politics
Where Frydenberg, RBA differ over the economy
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and RBA governor Philip Lowe treat GDP, house prices and wages very differently. Here's why.
- Opinion
- LNP
Barnaby Joyce doubles down on climate change as an elitist issue
In an ominous sign for Coalition discipline ahead of the election campaign Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says the Nats are ready to put affluent noses out of joint.
Coup plotters must take responsibility: Turnbull
The former prime minister says Coalition MPs who voted to topple his government are trying to justify their actions.
Barnaby Joyce threatens Coalition truce
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.
Hopes that $44m foundation will boost China ties
Foreign Minister Marise Payne will also appoint one of Australia's top China hands to key embassy post.
SPONSORED
World
Trump's hard-nut trade czar battling China for who 'rules the future'
Robert Lighthizer is fast, on top of his game and has the skill set necessary to manage the world’s most unorthodox and unpredictable boss.
Canada issues UK travel warning
Canadians travelling to the UK or already there were warned to be wary of Brexit-related demonstrations and civil unrest.
China touts trade progress with US; Liu to return to Washington
Negotiators have been working line-by-line through the text of an agreement that can be put before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
- Politics
- World politics
Mueller report to be released by 'mid-April, if not sooner'
US Attorney General William Barr said he's working toward releasing as much of the report as he can as fast as he can.
- Analysis
- Brexit
What next for Brexit? UK debate unresolved
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.
Real Estate
Labor's build-to-rent changes a shot in the arm for 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.
The new Chinese property play
Chinese investors and Australian developers have developed a mutually beneficial relationship.
Negatively geared landlords lowest in 14 years
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.
Housing credit growth lowest since records began
Credit growth in housing has now hit its lowest annualised level since records started in 1977.
- 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.
Personal Finance
- Opinion
- Gender pay gap
How women should argue their worth in pay rise talks
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.
Customers review health 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.
Tax tricks to get more into super
Be careful your income levels are high enough to warrant tax-concessional contributions, writes John Wasiliev.
Technology
Tech execs face three years' jail over violent broadcasts
New laws to be unveiled could also see social media companies fined 10 per cent of their turnover if they broadcast terrorism, murder, rape or kidnappings.
Smartphones are making kids dumber
A leading educator blames mobile phones for the drop-off in children's reading, maths and science performance.
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?
Leadership
- Opinion
- Governance
OMG what have I done?
My fundamental message is we need better directors, writes Graeme Samuel. But because I include women in my critical comments, the cheering is substituted with swinging.
'Don't believe the 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.
Lifestyle
Is there enough Grange to go round?
It's been a very lean harvest for Barossa Valley wine makers but the mastermind behind Australia's most famous wine says while Mother Nature can be cruel there's no need for hand wringing.
What is the fascia? Scientists can't quite agree
You might have a vague notion that fascia exists, but you probably don't know much about it, or understand why it matters. Some in the medical community think the same way.
Drugs, drummers and fish
Seventy-something rock gods Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are busy preparing to tour and working on a new album.
At last a list anyone can complete
Hachette has launched a range of 'essential' books. Luckily there are only 11 (to begin with).
Film review: Jordan Peele’s Us is one long metaphor
Jordan Peele's zombie horror drama brings a political edge to the expected mayhem.
