No need for Fed to rush rate cuts: Powell
Still, the Federal Reserve chairman said February’s latest inflation data, released on Friday, was “pretty much in line with our expectations”.
‘Every day is hard’: One year since Russia jailed Evan Gershkovich
Since his arrest, the 32-year-old journalist for the Wall Street Journal has been held in the notorious high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow.
- Exclusive
- Venture capital
From startup star to near collapse at the ‘next Cochlear’
Seer Medical was feted from its inception in 2017, after developing a groundbreaking wearable device for epilepsy. Then it met the Victorian government.
More homeowners cash out within three years as rates, prices rise
The number of homes bought and sold within three years rose again in the December quarter as owners cash out amid rising prices and higher interest rates.
- Exclusive
- Retail
David Jones pens new tech deal to power $35m fresh revenue
The Anchorage Capital-owned department store has signed up US advertising firm Criteo to help it boost revenue and profitability.
Investors eye South Korea and India as money exits China
Maple-Brown Abbott, Northcape, Antipodes and Abrdn are seeing investors continuing to pull money out of China and diverting it to other countries in the Asia Pacific, including Australia.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Can a vaccine slow down the Cochlear train?
Cochlear is firing for investors, but you have to wonder whether everyone’s getting a bit carried away.
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SMART INVESTOR WEEKEND
Where to invest $1m
We asked 11 experts where they would invest $1 million to earn serious returns; then we asked them to nominate an indulgence spend.
$60b in trust payments under cloud following ATO court loss
The court warned the ATO cannot dictate to taxpayers how they should arrange their affairs.
- Opinion
- Investing
Stock pickers at near record levels of underperformance
More than 75 per cent of all Australian large-cap equity fund managers underperformed the ASX200 benchmark for 2023.
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
The tax implications of contributing business sale proceeds into super
The tax-related issues depend on the circumstances involved. In complex cases, one might need to engage an accountant, a solicitor and a financial planner.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
High-income earners turn to investment companies
Superannuation is no longer the “go to” tax-effective investment vehicle.
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Companies
US regulator fines PwC Australia for late disclosure of leaks scandal
PwC Australia was sanctioned for failing to disclose that it was being investigated for more than a year, in the latest fallout over its tax leaks scandal.
How the McLaren F1 team is helping save the Great Barrier Reef
British Formula One race team McLaren deployed engineers to help the Great Barrier Reef Foundation speed up its coral spawning program.
Armaguard rescue deal collapses as Lindsay Fox opts to go alone
The monopoly cash-in-transit business had previously warned it was losing too much money to operate. Now it has assured the RBA it will continue its services.
Westpac plots multibillion-dollar tech overhaul to fix decade lag
The project will unite more than a hundred separate systems that have bloated costs since the acquisition of St George during the global financial crisis.
India bans ABC broadcasts on Sikh separatist killing
The broadcasts related to the fallout from the alleged murder of a man whose slaying was linked to the Indian government by Canada’s prime minister.
The mystery of the mansion and the $2.7b bitcoin haul
What were two Chinese women doing in a rented mansion in London with an astronomical amount of cryptocurrency?
Aussie Broadband expected to sell Superloop stock after court setback
The two rival broadband providers are in the midst of a messy legal dispute after Aussie Broadband attempted to acquire its competitor.
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Markets
US monthly inflation slows; consumer spending surges
Core inflation increased 2.8 per cent year-on-year in February, the smallest gain since March 2021, after rising 2.9 per cent in January.
- Opinion
- Biden's White House
The US economy’s resilience is now undeniable
In an economy that has consistently outperformed and is constantly being scoured for cracks, it’s hard to find any faults in the latest data.
US price data fails to resolve rate pivot debate
The Federal Reserve’s key inflation metric mostly met expectations for February, leaving economists as divided as ever on the timing of a rate cut.
Fading analysts’ optimism a red flag: Edwards
For Société Générale’s Albert Edwards, a key reading into the outlook for the S&P 500 is that Wall Street analysts are becoming less optimistic about earnings.
S&P 500 resets record high as price data awaited
All three US benchmarks were little changed pending Friday’s release of a key Federal Reserve inflation metric. Gold resets record high.
Opinion
Bankers cheer as the frozen IPO market shows signs of heating up
Local bankers are celebrating as the US public listing market heats up, but is this simply another sign of a US sharemarket bubble.
Columnist
Bank bosses who speak the truth on reform
Tax reform is the cornerstone of rebooting national economic performance because its benefits are so pervasive. Business leaders are rightly taking up the conversation.
Editorial
Why the GST fiasco won’t be fixed
Fights about the distribution of GST revenue aren’t just about the money – they also reflect the political death of major tax reform. It’s a policy fiasco.
Columnist
A Kennedy might be about to help Trump into the White House
Robert Kennedy jnr’s third-party candidacy could split the vote in key swing states. Polls give him between 2 and 15 per cent of the vote in a three-way race, writes Edward Luce.
Columnist
Disgrace turns into love on the cross
Easter offers divine love beyond shame. God, it turns out, is far less judgmental than we are.
Faith leader
It’s the Malaysia Plan all over again
One can only imagine the reaction if Labor was in opposition and had done the same thing.
Political editor
Reports
AI’s brave new world
Artificial intelligence is being used by hackers to create ever more convincing fakes, but the technology is also giving our leading companies an edge.
Politics
China can be a democracy: Scott Morrison
The former PM has dismissed the idea that China is unable to become a multiparty democracy, saying there is no “anti-democratic” instinct in the Chinese people.
Tammy Tyrrell goes solo, quits Jacqui Lambie Network
Senator Tyrrell made the shock resignation announcement late on Thursday, citing a rift between herself and party leader Jacqui Lambie.
Business fears Fair Work intervention in power closures
Business groups fear Labor’s Net Zero Transition Authority legislation will expose them to union-initiated disputes as coal- and gas-fired power stations close.
Rebuilding wine sales in China to take time: minister
Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres welcomed China’s removal of tariffs on Australian wine but said rebuilding the $1.1 billion trade will take time.
China removes punishing tariffs on Australian wine trade
Beijing says the restrictions, which had devastated local winemakers, will be removed on Friday, and big producers have applauded the change.
SPONSORED
World
Zelenskiy warns Ukraine forces will have to retreat
Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview that if Ukraine does not get promised US military aid blocked by disputes in Congress, its forces will have to retreat “in small steps”.
Biden enlists Obama, Clinton for $25m fundraiser event
President Biden, along with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, arrived for a fundraiser in New York that raised $US25 million, a record for a single political event
- Analysis
- Royal family
Princess Catherine and the power of a cancer diagnosis
This year began as an annus horribilis for the royal family, but compassion coupled with a respectful fear of cancer, changed the narrative.
- Opinion
- Cryptocurrencies
Bankman-Fried’s jailing a warning shot to crypto industry
The 25-year sentence for the former crypto mogul sends a crucial message to an industry that’s still yet to complete the clean-up it sorely needs, writes Lionel Laurent.
US economy advanced at upwardly revised 3.4pc in fourth quarter
The US government’s two main measures of economic activity posted strong advances at the end of last year, pointing to enduring strength.
Property
Melbourne’s medium-density housing miracle
A 14-apartment development won local approval by mimicking the scale of a local church building. Can it be repeated elsewhere?
Charter Hall swallows 15pc of pubs owner HPI
The property fund manager is already the country’s biggest pubs owner after taking charge of former ASX-listed landlord ALE Group in a $1.7 billion deal three years ago.
Developers find easy targets among cash-strapped golf clubs
They take up swaths of land and face big bills to renovate and keep courses in order. Could surplus golfing greens help solve the housing shortage?
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Dubai billionaire brings luxury hotel brand to Canberra in $200m deal
Ghassan Aboud will open the first Crystalbrook Collection hotel in Canberra in 2027 and is keen to take the Aussie-grown luxury brand overseas.
Rate fears force home buyers to delay plans
But most are poised to buy within a year – once rates come down and inflation eases.
Wealth
The mystery of the mansion and the $2.7b bitcoin haul
What were two Chinese women doing in a rented mansion in London with an astronomical amount of cryptocurrency?
Inside the Queensland family office making 15pc
Meet a mango farmer managing billions who will back anything except private equity.
- Opinion
- Investing
Stock pickers at near record levels of underperformance
More than 75 per cent of all Australian large-cap equity fund managers underperformed the ASX200 benchmark for 2023.
Technology
Epic battle with Apple and Google heads into the wilds
In a light-hearted exchange, a Federal Court judge says a willingness to be shot at in a game may help you with installing the game in the first place.
iPhone will be ‘degraded’ if Epic wins court case, Apple warns
New laws in Europe mean iPhone users there are already facing all manner of new threats to their safety.
- Exclusive
- Cyber warfare
Leaked documents reveal Australia targeted by Chinese hackers
The revelations come as the UK sanctions a Chinese state-affiliated group that hacked into its Electoral Commission systems.
Work & Careers
KPMG hands CEO Yates another three years
The board of KPMG Australia has extended the leadership term of Andrew Yates to June 2027.
Poor kids who choose the IB do better than rich kids who don’t: study
Jasmine Werneberg says the International Baccalaureate she did at high school was more academically rigorous than her business-law degree at university.
Life & Luxury
Think you know this week’s news? Answer these 10 questions
Have you been paying attention this week? Test your knowledge across politics, business and world news.
Common hormones used for contraception linked to brain tumours
Experts say a new French study should be a timely reminder to women to review their contraceptive needs periodically.
Seven must-see shows in April
From West Side Story’s Tony and Maria on Sydney Harbour to Tom Gleeson’s return to stand-up in Melbourne, entertainment options are hot next month.
This week’s edits of lovely little luxuries: faded leather to champagne
From a reimagined Hermès work bag to a clever way to transport your French champagne, we have inspired suggestions for you.
Here’s what you get in a $1700 butler-serviced hotel room
At Singapore’s legendary Raffles Hotel, butlers are expected to anticipate your needs.
