Home insurance premiums surge 56pc -but insurers are making a loss
Insurers have made no money on home insurance policies in four years, and the industry warns premiums will continue to soar as natural disasters become more frequent.
US jobs roar again, probability of June rate cut falls
Nonfarm payrolls advanced 303,000 in March, the most in nearly a year, led by faster hiring in health care, construction, as well as leisure and hospitality.
Israeli officers fired over ‘bungled’ strike that killed aid workers
The Albanese government is unsatisfied with information provided by Israel after a probe into the drone strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.
New York area hit by biggest quake in 140 years
The preliminary 4.8 magnitude temblor was the strongest in the area since 1884. It occurred near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
Inside the battle for Armaguard and the future of cash
The high-stakes negotiations over the financial future for the cash transit monopoly reached a crescendo over Easter, and became clearer this week.
- Exclusive
- Investment banking
Lendlease calls in three banks as it considers structural change
The global property developer is facing calls from its major shareholders to carve off its international division. Its advisers are now exploring its options.
- Analysis
- Lehrmann trial
Judge delivers withering review of Auerbach cameo
Justice Michael Lee didn’t see spot any “noble” intent on the part or the former Spotlight producer.
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smart investor weekend
- Opinion
- Inflation
Next US inflation print could make or break 2024
Investors in aggressively long equities, real estate, junk bonds and private debt have been fervently punting on the likelihood of deep rate cuts this year to bail them out of a heavy procyclical slump.
Is it worth getting a Qantas home loan for the points?
It’s no good getting a ‘free’ one-way ticket to France but having no money to buy yourself a decent pain au chocolat.
Small caps are ripe for a comeback. Here’s how to pick winners
The life-changing capital gains on offer make the small-cap sector attractive to investors, but success stories are rare among the thousands of companies that bite the dust.
What if my late wife’s pension pushes my super above $3 million?
Reversionary pension law gives surviving spouses time to sort out their super.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
What SMSFs need to know as ATO cracks down on illegal access to super
More than $630 million has been accessed illegally from SMSFs. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.
weekend reads
Has Netanyahu reached the end of the road?
He is the great survivor of Israeli politics but the killing of seven aid workers in an airstrike this week has drawn heavy flak from normally staunch allies.
Why young men and women are drifting apart
Diverging worldviews between the sexes could affect politics, families and more.
Seven paid for Lehrmann’s story. Now it is the story
The television network’s pursuit of an interview with the accused rapist has put its tactics on trial.
- Analysis
- Middle East tensions
On NATO’s 75th birthday, old certainties are gone
For Washington and all its allies, the anniversary should involve difficult thinking about ends and means.
How to make money being Paul Keating
Thank god for writing royalties, says Jonathan Biggins, who reckons politics is stuck on repeat and the new puritanism is hard to poke fun at.
Get the latest business news on the go with the AFR’s new iOS app.
Companies
Allan Gray will disregard proxy advice and back Goyder at Woodside
The investment firm is a big shareholder in the oil and gas giant. It is supporting its climate strategy in the face of opposition from environmentalists.
British petrol station billionaires face Australian nightmare
Mohsin and Zuber Issa spent $1.7 billion to buy hundreds of Australian petrol stations in 2018 - but are now looking to sell.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Rise of the corporate farmer changes the supermarket game
Who is growing our food? An influx of institutional capital into farmers and growers suggest the game has changed.
Santos pursues environmentalists that bankrolled Barossa gas protest
The gas producer wants four activist groups to hand over documents that could show who funded litigation against its offshore project north of Darwin.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Richard Goyder’s plight is worth watching
It’s a surprise to see a proxy adviser take on Woodside Energy chairman Richard Goyder. But it is another timely reminder of the way capital markets are headed.
Police investigated sexual assault allegation against PwC employee
A woman is suing PwC Australia under workplace laws. Both parties agreed on Friday to attend mediation.
It’s Hanwha against the hawks in race for shipbuilder Austal
The Korean conglomerate has made the news plenty of times before and not always in a positive light. Now it wants Australia’s largest defence group.
Companies in the News
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Markets
Why Wall Street banks have got it wrong on lithium
Sydney fund manager Ethical Partners says their own modelling shows the battery metal has moved “rapidly back” into balance after last year’s collapse, that will continue to support prices (and the sharemarket).
BHP, Rio weigh on ASX shares; oil jumps, GQG gains on rising FUM
Shares pare losses. Middle East spooks investors. GQG lifts FUM. Ripple plans stablecoin launch. APM finds new suitor. Dow drops on Kashkari rates cloud.
‘Unequivocal failure’: Activist fund tries to unseat Larry Fink
Bluebell Capital Partners is proposing to oust the BlackRock founder as chairman of the world’s largest asset manager.
Iron ore to end 2024 near $US100 a tonne: Capital Economics
Global steel prices are on “shaky ground” and there’s little reason to expect an increase in demand, according to the London-based firm.
What happened overnight? US rally wiped out by rate comment, oil spike
Australian shares were set to drop in line with New York. The Dow shed 530 points. Oil rose above $US90 a barrel. Kashkari tipped the possibility of no rate cuts this year.
Opinion
Israel must listen to its friends, not defy them
Israel has to show that it is better than the terrorists of Hamas. That means being accountable for its own behaviour.
Editorial
Australia must uphold international law, starting with Israel
We have been too quick to make excuses for Israel, and too slow to push the first principle of adherence to the law.
Columnist
Next US inflation print could make or break 2024
Investors in aggressively long equities, real estate, junk bonds and private debt have been fervently punting on the likelihood of deep rate cuts this year to bail them out of a heavy procyclical slump.
Columnist
Tax review to avoid an ‘intergenerational tragedy’
Incremental change is a waste of time. Ken Henry says someone has to grab this thing and get on with it.
Editorial
Are we on the brink of an Asian currency war?
As tensions over China’s push into high-tech manufacturing flare, analysts warn that it’s only a matter of time before China follows Japan’s lead in competitive currency devaluations.
Columnist
Reports of China’s demise are exaggerated
The popular theory of “peak China” is based on a misreading of data. And many of its problems are more cyclical than analysts are allowing for.
Columnist
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
Chalmers reassures on cash supplies after Armaguard meeting
The government wants Armaguard, together with the banks and major retailers, to deal with the challenging economics of the cash distribution industry.
Higgins memoir on ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ parties at Parliament House
Pages from Brittany Higgins’ unpublished memoir, which have been tendered in a defamation trial, reveal more grubby behaviour at the top of politics.
The plan to build the next Who Gives a Crap
Businesses helping deliver social good in the community will get extra help finding critical capital investment, the federal government says.
Israeli officers fired over ‘bungled’ strike that killed aid workers
The Albanese government is unsatisfied with information provided by Israel after a probe into the drone strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.
D’Ambrosio gas claim debunked after outburst against Labor’s King
In another Victorian clash over gas with the Albanese government, Lily D’Ambrosio accused Madeleine King of behaving like “a Coalition minister”.
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World
Bowing to pressure, Israel agrees more aid to Gaza
The agreement came after Joe Biden threatened to alter support for Israel following aid worker deaths in Gaza, during a tense phone call with Israel’s prime minister.
Yellen criticises China over ‘coercive’ moves against US firms
The US Treasury Secretary is at the start of a visit to China that could shape US policy towards the country ahead of the presidential election.
- Analysis
- Biden's White House
Who is winning the US and China ‘chip war’?
President Biden is committed to victory over China when it comes to semiconductors. But it’s not a straightforward process.
Elite men-only club takes first steps to allow women
The fight for female members has revealed the Garrick Club hosts the deputy prime minister, Hollywood actors, a spy boss and Supreme Court justices.
‘Unequivocal failure’: Activist fund tries to unseat Larry Fink
Bluebell Capital Partners is proposing to oust the BlackRock founder as chairman of the world’s largest asset manager.
Property
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Billionaire Smorgon family to sell family farm Benwerrin
The Toorak-based Smorgons have listed a long-held family farm complete with five-bedroom luxury residence.
- Exclusive
- Property development
Scully’s big plan to staunch the Sydney exodus
The Minns government will push its zoning reforms, with or without councils’ blessing, as over 70,000 Sydney workers have left for more affordable pastures.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Wallabies great snaps up rural retreat in impulse buy
The former Wallabies captain and his wife, Julie, have emerged as the buyers of a luxury rural retreat in the NSW Central West town of Orange.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Eastern suburbs’ elite sell their trophy mansions
Investors Mutual CEO Damon Hambly and wife Philippa Haydon have listed their Bellevue Hill home for $23 million, while Sue Ingham is downsizing in Darling Point.
- Exclusive
- Build-to-rent
Japanese giant to partner on $1.2b build-to-rent portfolio
Cedar Pacific and Sumitomo Forestry will join forces on a $1.2 billion portfolio of build-to-rent towers that will use plenty of timber in their construction.
Wealth
Small caps are ripe for a comeback. Here’s how to pick winners
The life-changing capital gains on offer make the small-cap sector attractive to investors, but success stories are rare among the thousands of companies that bite the dust.
The questions real estate agents avoid (but buyers must ask)
Be aware of the many hidden costs associated with buying a new home.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
What SMSFs need to know as ATO cracks down on illegal access to super
More than $630 million has been accessed illegally from SMSFs. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.
Technology
Canva millionaires made as $US1.6b share sale completes
The design software giant has finalised the first tranche of a share sale it has signalled will reach $3.6 billion, with rich rewards for early staff and investors.
Uber and GoCatch stagger out for round two of court case
Nobody expected a clean fight when GoCatch called out Uber for huge damages, but startling details in the first week of the trial have left both sides wounded.
- Opinion
- Digital Life
The new Surface computers Microsoft won’t let anyone review
There are many firsts around the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 coming out next week, and not letting journalists do reviews is only one of them.
Work & Careers
Australians lead the world in business-leisure trips
Aussies are taking business trips nearly twice the length of the global average and Melbourne boss and golfer Jon Kerr is all for it.
Why this boss wants to help pay for childcare
In an Australian first, u&u Recruitment Partners will subsidise the costs of childcare up to ease the financial burden of returning to work.
Life & Luxury
As prostate cancer surges, Australia breaks new ground
As low and middle-income countries await a surge in prostate cancer, Australia is driving ahead with cutting-edge treatments and new ways of solving old problems.
How to make money being Paul Keating
Thank god for writing royalties, says Jonathan Biggins, who reckons politics is stuck on repeat and the new puritanism is hard to poke fun at.
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.
The strange Chinese murder behind Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’
The billionaire with the film rights to the cult sci-fi novel was killed in a plot “as bizarre as a Hollywood blockbuster”.
The enduring appeal of the super-strict parenting regime of Gina Ford
For some, she is a saviour. For others, pernicious. Yet 25 years after her first book was published, her tomes account for 25 per cent of the childcare market.
