Global markets rally on virus cure reports
Australian shares are poised to open higher, as markets rallied overseas on reports of a cure for the coronavirus.
- Analysis
- Monetary policy
How not to annoy RBA boss Philip Lowe
If you happen to strike up a conversation with RBA boss Philip Lowe, don't annoy him by saying that interest rate cuts aren't working.
Cheap money gets too risky
RBA governor Philip Lowe has warned the world is moving to a 'crossover point' in which record low rates of borrowing might become "too much of a good thing".
Woolworths sets up VC arm to target growth
The supermarket giant's venture capital fund, W23, is eyeing investments in "disruptive innovation".
Three's a party! Couche-Tard weighed consortium bid for Caltex
Couche-Tard had teamed with an investment heavyweight and a global commodities trader in a run for Caltex Australia.
- Exclusive
- Hayne fallout
Super funds say new laws are overkill
The Federal Government's plan to treat super funds like banks is unnecessary and may make matters worse for consumers.
Trump flings red meat to Republicans as Democrats seethe
With Donald Trump set to be acquitted, the address will be remembered for a president refusing to shake the Speaker's hand and her tearing up his speech.
BOSS
- Opinion
- Leadership lessons
To make good decisions, start by imagining your perfect day
Too many people make critical decisions by looking only one step up the ladder. “If you set goals based on how the market values your skills, you’ll wake up one day feeling deeply dissatisfied with your choices.”
Older workers are more adaptable than you think
Employers are failing to embrace age diversity, even as research shows that more mature workers are more adaptable than their younger counterparts.
- Opinion
- Productivity
How to make the most of your workday
Working in tune with your body clock, rather than the wall clock, could transform your productivity.
- Opinion
- Wage Slave
What Morrison should learn from China's bad air days
Poor air quality was the catalyst for climate action in China, a trend the Morrison government should be wary of.
- Opinion
- Chook Roast
What all leaders can learn from the bushfires
The bushfires have highlighted what Australians expect from their leaders in a crisis – be present and authentic. Some excelled, others were found lacking.
Companies
CIMIC defends tardy supplier payments
Telstra and Rio Tinto will pay people faster, but CIMIC claims its suppliers don't mind waiting months for bill payments.
Consumers join retailers in war on Afterpay
Consumer groups argue the "no surcharge" restrictions imposed by Afterpay are increasing the cost of goods for all shoppers. They want the RBA to regulate the red-hot "buy now, pay later" sector.
'Inflammatory' APRA is ignorant, say insurers
Health insurers and private hospitals have accused the prudential regulator of making "ill-informed and inflammatory" comments in a choreographed attack.
Retailer supply chain fears as coronavirus threat grows
Retailers are developing contingency plans for sourcing stock from China as factory closures and travel restrictions threaten to disrupt supply chains.
Toll refuses to pay ransom, struggles to restore hacked systems
Logistics company Toll Group has identified the virus used by hackers to cripple its systems, and is still working with authorities to get back up and running.
Transurban under pressure to resolve West Gate Tunnel dispute
The Victorian government is taking a hard line on Transurban's West Gate Tunnel problems.
Tic:Toc launches 'responsible-lending-as-a-service'
The Adelaide fintech is offering XAI Validate to the broker bank and broking market to accelerate loan approval times.
Markets
- Analysis
- World markets
RBA's Lowe warns of problem of his own making
Philip Lowe acknowledged what has been an open secret for some time: easy money is forcing investors to take on risk and driving stock valuations to extremes.
- Analysis
- Streaming
Disney's fairytale rise hooked on streaming
Disney's dominance in the media and entertainment space poses a challenge for Netflix believers.
ASX extends rally as virus fears abate
The Australian sharemarket extended its rally from Monday's sell-off on Wednesday as fears over the coronavirus abated.
Philip Lowe Q&A transcript: bushfires, coronavirus, policy
The Reserve Bank governor said: "My hope - and I think it's a reasonable expectation - is we could have a period of stability again," with interest rates.
ASX ends higher; Rate pricing shifts further
ASX closes up 0.4 per cent; RBA Lowe's speech moves rate cut pricing to September from July; Magellan's FUM top $100 billion; lithium stocks surge.
Opinion
Funny money risks no defence for 'black swans'
Short-term monetary or fiscal stimulus won’t reduce Australia’s China risk. A pro-market structural reform agenda is needed to help China-proof our prosperity.
Editorial
Investment appetite needs stimulating
Rate cuts won’t transform the economy. But energy certainty and tax reform could encourage business to risk investing in future growth.
Contributor
Morrison's new marketing challenge: climate change
Labor isn’t the only party with a Queensland problem. Coalition MPs who champion the coal industry are back in force in Canberra.
Columnist
Faster supplier payments would boost economy
Rio Tinto and Telstra shouldn't just ditch reverse factoring. They should set the fair and reasonable standard for big business by paying invoices in 30 days.
Contributor
What Morrison should learn from China's bad air days
Poor air quality was the catalyst for climate action in China, a trend the Morrison government should be wary of.
National Affairs Correspondent
Why government needs to take lead role in decarbonisation
The private sector has a crucial role to play in reaching a zero emissions future, but regulations, subsidies and programs are needed to get there.
Contributor
Politics
Fire royal commission accepts the role of climate change: PM
The royal commission into the bushfires will operate on the assumption that the scale and severity of the blazes was fuelled by climate change, Scott Morrison says.
- Exclusive
- Defence
Defence companies to be audited over promises of local jobs
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price is demanding foreign-owned major contractors maximise the involvement of Australian firms in $200 billion worth of projects.
- Analysis
- Parliament House
In Parliament, marginal seat koalas get year underway
Anthony Albanese and crew looked as if they'd been preparing for the year's first question time for weeks, masterfully linking the two big issues of 'black summer'.
Centre Alliance suspends support for union-busting bill
The South Australian-based Centre Alliance is trying to pressure the government over the maintenance contract for the Collins Class submarines.
Australian ports beef up virus protections
Extra coronavirus protections at Australian ports could add slight delays to trade of Australian iron ore and coal.
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World
The snub that trumped the State of the Union
With Donald Trump set to be acquitted, the address will be remembered for a president refusing to shake the Speaker's hand and her tearing up his speech.
Fears more than 200 Australians exposed to virus on cruise ship
Two Australians have been diagnosed with coronavirus and more than 200 others may have been exposed to the deadly virus on board a Japan cruise.
The $1.3trn cost of leaving energy underground
Vast reserves of oil, gas and coal may never be extracted because doing so would intensify global warming, writes Alan Livsey in London.
China tightens controls as virus death toll hits 492
Scientists in China cannot see a turning point in efforts to contain the coronavirus as the death toll hits 492. Australian experts note the death rate is comparatively low.
Biden crashes in the first big test of the presidential race
Small-town mayor Pete Buttigieg appears to have narrowly won the opening Iowa caucuses ahead of Bernie Sanders.
Property
'It's crazy': Cashed-up but nothing to buy
Homebuyers are getting loans but are then finding there's nothing to spend it on. "People are getting desperate. It's crazy."
Tight Sydney, Melbourne office markets send tenants to the 'burbs
While both the CBD and non-CBD markets around the country recorded positive tenant demand over the last six months, the non-CBD sector recorded its strongest demand in eight years.
Property sector's donations to political parties
Required disclosures only give a small part of the picture of donations - and they don't even show where the money actually goes.
Sydney CBD's tight market forces tenants elsewhere
The city centre's office market has recorded the greatest negative demand of Australia's capital cities in the last six months.
Pub trust to take advantage of 'materially' cheaper bonds
Cheaper bond pricing and a boost to rents from rent reviews will reduce the amount of ALE's distribution funded from cash reserves and debt.
Wealth
Small business tricks to growing your retirement savings
There are tax exemptions when you sell and contribute some of the proceeds, writes John Wasiliev, who answers your questions on superannuation.
Tax-transfer reforms contributing to rising income inequality
Changes in Australia have seen an almost 10 per cent increase in a commonly used measure of income inequality.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Insurance tips when setting up an SMSF
There are three ways to check whether you should keep your old fund running just for the cover.
Technology
Lagging Australia should follow UK's electric vehicle drive
Australia needs to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles or it will be left behind in the race to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, according to the peak industry body
Toll refuses to pay hackers' ransom, works to restore crippled systems
Logistics company Toll Group has identified the virus used by hackers to cripple its systems, and is still working with authorities to get back up and running.
Disney to leave Foxtel as streaming wars heat up
It follows the removal of the Disney Movie channel, which included Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel and most Lucasfilm productions from Foxtel in November last year.
Work & Careers
- Opinion
- Chook Roast
What all leaders can learn from the bushfires
The bushfires have highlighted what Australians expect from their leaders in a crisis – be present and authentic. Some excelled, others were found lacking.
PwC, KPMG, EY swung behind Labor ahead of federal election
The big four consulting firms have made political donations worth more than $4 million in the six years to 2019.
Life & Luxury
The Washington hotel in a bank with a vaulted history
The Riggs Washington DC was once a legendary financial institution where US leaders stashed their cash. Now it's rich in restored grandeur.
Death and divorce to pump $1.5 billion into 2020 art auctions
The death of Don Marron and bitter divorce of octogenarians Harry and Linda Macklowe are bringing huge collections to market. Is it too much?
- Opinion
- Productivity
How to make the most of your workday
Working in tune with your body clock, rather than the wall clock, could transform your productivity.
How to buy your way into nobility
Germany has an unusually large aristocracy, providing a lucrative market for aristocratic titles. For just over $132,000, you too can be a count or countess.
Perth's new museum unveiled
The New Museum for Western Australia brings together the old and new in a way that takes repurposing heritage buildings to new heights.
