The search is on for Australia’s next international business success stories.
‘Realistic’ vendors rewarded as auction sales jump
The preliminary clearance rate bumped up to 68 per cent across the capital cities over the past week as auction numbers nearly tripled.
‘Worst uncertainty in 15 years’ confounds energy investors
Barrenjoey energy analyst Dale Koenders says shareholders should take a short-term view on oil and gas sector.
- Live
- Need to Know
How this fundie made 32pc on the ‘pigs fly trade’
AlphaSimplex profited from last year’s disrupted markets; Donald Trump says he is angrier than ever in his white House bid; a US general tells officers to prepare for war with China in two years. See how the day unfolded.
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Smart money is still wary of the equity rally
While markets have made a strong recovery, the prospect of more rate rises looms, writes Kate Martin.
Surging rent means these CBDs are smashing Sydney and Melbourne
Office rents are surging in Perth and Brisbane, rising 6 per cent in the 2032 Olympic city in the December quarter, thanks partly to a robust resources sector.
‘I’m more angry now’: Trump kicks off White House campaign
The former president is trying to quell doubts over his momentum at smaller events, his first since announcing his re-election bid.
Top US air force general predicts China conflict in 2025
A leaked memo from General Mike Minihan comes as tension remains high over Taiwan.
AFR Weekend: The big stories, best reads and expert advice. In your inbox on Saturday.
weekend reads
How the sudden rise of AI is shaking your white-collar world
Generative AI has caused a storm by automating high-paying professional skills. Now Aussie businesses are trying to determine how to get the best out of it.
Our 20 predictions for 2023 (and your chance to beat us)
The AFR’s writers have attempted to forecast what will happen in 2023 - and you can submit yours as well.
Meet the woman making Julia Gillard’s dream a reality
Michelle Ryan is helping to create a world in which being a woman is no barrier to becoming a leader in any field.
My vision for a new values-based capitalism
Treasurer Jim Chalmers took time out over summer to pen a 6000-word essay for The Monthly on his vision for a new values-based capitalism. Here is an extract.
- Analysis
- Inflation
A soft economic landing is getting harder
RBA governor Philip Lowe’s “narrow path” to bring down inflation without the economy having to suffer too much pain is getting more challenging.
smart investor
How fundies are playing the next commodity boom
While raw material prices and mining stocks have rallied in anticipation of the boost to demand, fund managers are still finding value in the resources sector.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Why you need more than just $200,000 to start your own super fund
It’s not only about the starting amount, says the regulator – arguing the point with two different case studies.
How higher tax-free super cap can turbocharge your savings
It could also mean higher annual contribution limits and more opportunities for couples to equalise their super balances.
Fixed rate borrowers face ‘extra hit of almost $3000 a month’
Alarm bells are ringing for households on the edge of the mortgage rate cliff.
Why should I bother with super when I could get the age pension?
It’s tempting for those with lower balances, but you’ll have less choice in retirement.
Companies
Adani’s losses hit $56b in short-seller’s attack
The value of the Indian billionaire’s stocks fell by over $56 billion after Hindenburg accused it of “brazen stock manipulation”.
Lost radioactive capsule from Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto has confirmed that a missing potentially deadly radioactive capsule that’s triggered a massive search in the West Australian outback came from one of its mines.
- Exclusive
- Defence
US Congressman wants Austal blocked from submarine deal
Weeks out from the release of Australia’s plan to obtain nuclear-powered submarines, a member of one of US Congress’s most powerful new committees has raised security questions about an Australian ship builder.
The secret Sydney vault that proves cash still runs the world
Travelex provided AFR Weekend with access to its cash vault amid intense security, providing rare insight into operations abandoned by major banks.
- Analysis
- Governance
How a paper tiger mauled PwC
Shock revelations by the Tax Practitioners Board offer the government a major reset of how it takes advice on tax policy from the big four accounting firms.
Adani Australia hits back at fraud claims
Indian energy giant Adani said all of its Australian operations complied with the law, as the company faces fraud claims from short-sellers.
US demand for electric trucks turbocharges Australian business
Janus Electric is behind technology allowing trucks to re-energise through a three-minute battery swap process. The company is attracting strong interest from the US and Europe.
Companies in the News
Search companies
View stories and data from an ASX listed company
Markets
Ackman calls Hindenburg’s Adani report ‘highly credible’
Bill Ackman said that he’s neither “long nor short” in Adani firms, but the Hindenburg Research report is “highly credible and extremely well researched”.
Wall St earnings to watch next week
Next week, Big Tech — including Apple, Alphabet and Meta Platforms — will be expected to offer details on their growth outlook.
Goldman Sachs slashes CEO’s pay
The decision to cut David Solomon’s pay came after a year in which Goldman’s share price and profit tumbled.
Tesla paces Wall Street higher for a second session
Shares in Tesla leapt more than 10 per cent further pulling in investors keen to catch the upward market move. Bitcoin holds above $US23,000.
Goldman sees further upside in the China ‘growth recovery’ trade
Goldman Sachs is optimistic on China’s outlook, and expects the rally in equities to broaden from consumer and services sectors to a broad range of industries.
Opinion
My vision for a new values-based capitalism
Treasurer Jim Chalmers took time out over summer to pen a 6000-word essay for The Monthly on his vision for a new values-based capitalism. Here is an extract.
Federal treasurer
A straight line from January 26 to the Voice
The British helped to plant a profoundly democratic nation in Australia. The Voice helps to fix the hole that was left in it.
Editorial
The Voice is in danger of being drowned out by the noise
Politics will be haunted by the spectre of people making up their minds on a defining issue before a date is even set.
Columnist
Real interest rate hammer has yet to fall
Many borrowers are about to suffer huge interest rate increases independently of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s moves.
Columnist
Inflation is set to test Labor’s wage promises
The government has not helped the inflation cause or the Reserve Bank with its industrial relations stitch-up.
Editorial
The West will rue its protectionism
Elite guilt about globalisation is handing an intellectual victory to the zero-sum world of populists and dictators.
Contributor
Politics
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Chalmers’ new economic model means more market intervention
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved away from previous governments in his philosophy of “values-based capitalism” as the path forward for Australia’s economy.
Subs builders chase talent with barista wages
It’s not just grumpy US senators warning about Australia’s dwindling chances of securing US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines. Labour shortages threaten Canberra’s hopes.
Albanese’s tough-love Alice intervention overshadows Voice hopes
On the back foot over the Voice to parliament plan, Labor has resorted to the kind of knee-jerk top-down decision-making that constitutional recognition is meant to stop.
Indigenous support for Voice at 80pc despite protests by ‘noisy few’
New polling shows 80 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians support a Voice enshrined in the constitution.
The role business has to play in the Voice is not the one you expect
“Yes” campaigners are asking big business to avoid the full-page ads and fancy fundraisers of past national votes.
SPONSORED
World
‘I’m more angry now’: Trump kicks off White House campaign
The former president is trying to quell doubts over his momentum at smaller events, his first since announcing his re-election bid.
Bankman-Fried denies witness tampering claim
The US government alleges the crypto founder communicated with potential witnesses in his criminal trial.
UK airline Flybe ceases trading, cancels all flights
All scheduled flights by the airline have been cancelled, meaning about 75,000 customers have bookings that will not be honoured.
Video shows Memphis police officers kicking, beating Tyre Nichols
Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist stopped by Memphis police is seen pummeled into submission as five police officers deliver kicks, punches and baton blows in graphic video.
Adani: Indian billionaire becomes a short-seller’s target
The tycoon closely associated with India’s prime minister heads a business empire that has surged in value.
Property
Logos’ chickens home to roost at $250m Perth estate
Logos is riding the momentum at its 20-hectare industrial estate near Perth airport, pushing the button on a 19,000 sq m speculative build after separately signing up Inghams as a tenant.
Sydney median home prices to fall below $1m in January
Top economist Warren Hogan said national property prices are set to fall 20pc to 25pc, with regional capital cities most vulnerable as a pandemic boom unwinds.
- Opinion
- Flat Chat
Why strata waterproof repairs may be costing you more
When the building commissioner came gunning for cowboys, some good guys were caught in the “not OK” corral.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Inside the deal to create Melbourne’s ‘ultimate’ weekender
Celebrity gardener Jamie Durie and his luxury resort group Opulus Hotels have bought the iconic house and garden outside Melbourne.
Millions slashed from Circular Quay retail property values
High interest rates have taken a toll on the market, meaning Karl Kazal had to settle for $2.5 million less than the asking price for his Eastbank restaurant.
Wealth
Fixed rate borrowers face ‘extra hit of almost $3000 a month’
Alarm bells are ringing for households on the edge of the mortgage rate cliff.
- Opinion
- Flat Chat
Why strata waterproof repairs may be costing you more
When the building commissioner came gunning for cowboys, some good guys were caught in the “not OK” corral.
Musk says he was sure Saudis wanted to take Tesla private
The billionaire testified that while he did not discuss a takeover price, the Saudi representatives made clear they would back a proposed buyout.
Technology
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Microsoft chief delivers a reality check for investors
Initial glee about Microsoft’s December quarter numbers quickly faded as the company warned of a very different environment ahead.
WiseTech restarts M&A with biggest deal to date
The software logistic giant is spending $325 million to buy US-based Envase Technologies.
AI will give office workers more time to ‘create, dream and innovate’
The rapid emergence of generative AI like ChatGPT is being touted as a threat to white-collar work, but early adopters are using it to change their jobs, and even start new companies.
Work & Careers
A hug and new role: BCG appoints new local leader
Senior Boston Consulting Group partner Grant McCabe, who has advised major companies including BHP, will take over as the strategy firm’s Australia and New Zealand managing partner in April.
You can’t ban the bot, educators say as they struggle with ChatGPT
The AI bot ChatGPT has been around for only two months, but it has the education world abuzz with concerns over cheating.
Life & Luxury
One of these movies is a triumph - the other a train wreck
Tar is a study of the corruptions of fame and power, the world of classical music and the rise of cancel culture. Babylon is an embarrassment on a grand scale.
24-year-old Sabalenka wins Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title by coming back to beat Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Australian Open women’s final Saturday.
‘Rinja Warriors’: Young Aussies are shock grand slam doubles finalists
Rinky Hijikata was a wildcard entry, but now he finds himself in the final of a grand slam alongside Jason Kubler as Australia welcomes a new set of tennis superstars.
Djokovic seeks 10th Australian Open crown in final against Tsitsipas
Both Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas go into the men’s singles final unbeaten - but the Serbian is looking to make history on Sunday night.
The diet encouraging you to eat what you want, all the time
When two dietitians rejected restrictive food intakes and militant exercise in 1995, it was almost heretical. Now a new generation is discovering “intuitive eating”.
