Rich List 2019
Out now: The definitive list of Australia's wealthiest people, now in its 37th year.
See who made the cut- Exclusive
- Interest rates
CEOs, chairmen warn against rate cut
Top CEOs and chairmen have cautioned against cutting rates to a record low on Tuesday, warning the RBA should have some firepower in the locker in the event of an unexpected recession.
China strikes corporate America as trade war escalates
China has blamed the United States for the breakdown in trade talks and taken aim at logistics giant FedEx as it steps up retaliation for US sanctions on tech giant Huawei.
There's never been a better time to own bonds
Pendal's Vimal Gor has never been more bullish about the rewards for bond investors as interest rates fall around the world.
How far will rates send the $A down?
Australia's narrowing current account deficit will mean the effect of interest rates on the Australian dollar won't be as severe.
- Opinion
- Financial planners
Shrinking financial advice sector in turmoil
There are few industries facing as many apocalyptic events as the country’s 24,000-plus financial advisers, writes Adele Ferguson.
Former casino watchdog backs fresh Ho probe
The man responsible for passing Lawrence Ho in the last set of probes by the NSW government says a fresh review is warranted after he bought a Crown stake.
Global trade tensions bolster prospect of further rate cuts
The United States' escalating global trade rift with multiple countries has given markets even more reason to believe that RBA cuts beyond Tuesday are likely.
Rich List 2019
Australia's 200 richest people revealed
Property remains the main vehicle by which fortunes are made. But those in tech are easily the quickest builders of wealth in a record-breaking Financial Review Rich List.
- Exclusive
- Rich List
Jack Ma: My life after Alibaba
As Jack Ma prepares for life after Alibaba, he reflects on the ways his special relationship with Australia has shaped his objectives for the future.
How the Kardashians helped Afterpay go big in the US
When Nick Molnar took Afterpay into the world's biggest retailing market, he knew he had to kickstart growth. Then he got a call from the reality TV sisters with more than 660 million followers between them.
Billionaire Con Makris tips property upswing
The property billionaire started with one chicken shop and has built a $1.3 billion fortune in property and shopping centres.
- Opinion
- Rich List
The opportunity society that spurns class warfare
Australia’s rich are distinguished from the US and Europe for their lack of aristocrats, old-time monopolists and robber barons.
Business
The vitamin C effect: Blackmores to catch flu season boost
People are nervous about a nasty flu season and this brings extra sales in the continuing rollercoaster ride for Blackmores shareholders.
BHP faces calls for Jansen write-down as Rio advances potash dream
As BHP cops heat over its Jansen project, Rio has indicated to Canadian regulators it could be mining potash before its old rival.
Fax machine fight threatens shareholding meeting
Remember the fax machine? It's now a part of a legal fight over whether a shareholder meeting should take place.
Life insurers fight back over commissions, default cover
Emboldened by mortgage brokers' success in pushing back on Hayne recommendations, life insurers will launch two public campaigns.
Disruption forces infrastructure investors to 'evolve' thinking
QIC's Ross Israel says electricity generation assets are the riskiest they have been for 20 years. He's now considering batteries and day surgeries.
News Corp eyes growth but flags jobs will go as skills change
Michael Miller talks in-depth on publishing, Foxtel, REA and the future of News Corp.
Industry funds want directors to 'do their bidding': Goyder
Qantas chairman Richard Goyder says company directors need to stay independent.
Markets
RBA shadow board's first rate cut in five years
Higher unemployment, inverted bond yields, trade wars - it's all enough for the RBA's shadow board to suggest a rate cut this Tuesday.
Global trade tensions bolster prospect of further rate cuts
The United States' escalating global trade rift with multiple countries has given markets even more reason to believe that RBA cuts beyond Tuesday are likely.
- Opinion
- Bonds
Why we are all carry investors now
It’s no wonder that investors can be reluctant to buy bonds when yields are below cash. But that's no reason to shy away from fixed income.
Banking minnows merge as tech costs soar
Smaller financial institutions are merging in order to offset rising costs for technology and other scale challenges.
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Does it really matter whether the RBA cuts rates or not?
The Reserve Bank should keep its monetary policy powder dry until it truly needs to use it.
Opinion
Hard nut Keneally goes head to head against Dutton
A fortnight ago, Chris Bowen was anticipating heading off this week to Japan for the G20 Finance Ministers meeting.
Political Editor
Caught in the US-China crossfire
The Australian government and Australian businesses are becoming increasingly alarmed at the rancid relationship between China and the US.
Columnist
Sims' $7 gas claim 'wrong on so many levels'
It is "asinine" to suggest that an underperforming gas industry should subsize the rest of the economy, says a leading energy analyst.
Columnist
Reserve Bank reaches the limit to what it can reasonably do
Central bank monetary policy cannot, of itself, lift the economy’s growth trajectory. It cannot create the higher productivity needed to underpin prosperity.
Editorial
Politics
- Exclusive
- ALP
Chalmers itching to make economic case for Labor
New shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers says coal still has a role to play in the economy as he promises an open mind and open door approach to business.
- Opinion
- Religion
Political purgatory awaits those that belittle religious voters
Faith alone did not win ScoMo the 2019 election. But just too many Labor activists actively sneer at the religious.
Lockheed Martin facing legal action over underpayment claims
The world's biggest defence contractor has been accused of underpaying local workers, with the total bill potentially climbing into millions of dollars.
Wollongong Uni enrolling students in Western Civilisation course
The financier of the course is said to be unhappy with the the culture war that has developed around the course.
Uni regulator focuses on single-market enrolments
Universities are supervised by TEQSA, which has reliance on single markets in its sights.
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World
- Opinion
- New Zealand
What exactly is New Zealand's wellbeing budget?
It was meant to be a triumphant moment for the Ardern government. Until the Kiwi Treasury accidentally put the budget papers online too early.
- Opinion
- Saudi Arabia
The most powerful prince in Washington
For decades, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed has been a key US ally, following Washington's lead. But now he is going his own way.
- Analysis
- Trade wars
Trump's Mexican bombshell: 'He's acting like an emperor'
The economic damage from Donald Trump's tariff battles is shifting from the theoretical to the real.
- Opinion
- Philippines
Midterm elections deepen Duterte’s domination
All three branches of government are now controlled by the President.
Airlines plead for regulators to unite on 737 Max's return
The fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia have shaken confidence in an aircraft certification process that for decades took its lead from the US.
Real Estate
Auction clearance rates firm as buyers return
As more buyers head into the market, the auction clearance rate is at 61.5 per cent on preliminary figures nationally, compared to last week's 57.7 per cent.
Victoria stamp duty laws to hit agents, fundies
'The impacts of these changes will be far-reaching and potentially devastating,' industry warns.
Fundie sells Hunter Valley winery for $2.6m
Fund manager Michael Alexander Hill has sold his picturesque Pokolbin estate, which includes a four-bedroom European-style residence and cellar door.
Cronulla owners pool together for block sale
A 30-unit Cronulla beachfront property is the latest in a series of entire apartment blocks to hit the Sydney market.
Chinese provincial player debuts in St Kilda Rd deal
A Chinese provincial property player is the latest investor from Asia to get set in Melbourne's St Kilda Road precinct.
Personal Finance
Two strategies to enhance portfolio cash returns
Blending maturities of bank offerings and investing in ETFs can help you work your cash holdings harder.
'Be very careful about cashing out': AustralianSuper
In a 'volatile' world, chairman Heather Ridout has warned its 2.2 million members against selling off their assets.
How to deal with a spouse's inherited pension
The $1.6 million transfer balance cap continues to be an issue for readers, writes John Wasiliev, who answers your questions about superannuation.
Technology
- Exclusive
- Legal industry
Artificial intelligence's role in news and information needs scrutiny
Artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in everyday lives as inventions such as driverless cars become a reality.
- Exclusive
- Advertising
Outdoor advertising sector invests in neuroscience study
The study will develop 4K quality first person videos for test subjects.
Morrison government needs to invest more in space industry
The federal government is being urged to help "pick winners" to help Australia compete in the space race.
Leadership
Auditors-general warn again over reliance on international students
There is a trend. Auditors-general are worried by reliance on international students.
Awards recognise engagement and success
Submissions are invited for the AFR Higher Education Awards, 2019.
Lifestyle
This lake house collection sets the luxury standard in New Zealand
A series of stays in the spectacular Queenstown region provide the finest accommodation in the South Island, and possibly the whole country.
- Opinion
- Online shopping
Sorry, Amazon. Kim Kardashian is now a store
Instagram has the biggest potential for luxury and premium brands. They might need a filter to smooth out the imperfections, but a social shopping utopia is near.
Stolen Hamilton letter exposes the sketchy world of fine art
That dusty old junk cluttering your attic just might be worth millions.
When experiences of a lifetime become deadly
The many tourism and travel-related deaths worldwide this week suggest it's time to reflect.
Broadway is booming
For an industry that was thought to be dying in the 1970s, Broadway is attracting big audiences.
