Today
- Opinion
- Opinion
Down markets draw out the year’s biggest share trades
Big block trades are flying this week, which only ramps up the chase for the next big trade.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Deal makers deeply sceptical about Chalmers’ FIRB reboot
While a clearer approval path for foreign buyers who are “frequent flyers” has been welcomed, bankers and lawyers worry the devil is in the detail.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
Star chief’s sacking reveals boardroom exit wounds
“There is a narrative behind every departure,” former Star boss Robbie Cooke says. Unfortunately for Cooke, we’ve been given a rare glimpse into his.
- Anthony Macdonald
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Opinion
The politician who’s answered ANZ’s rallying call on bank rules
Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg has backed Shayne Elliott’s view that bank rules are restricting economic growth and making it harder for first home buyers to get into the market.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
How Chemist Warehouse can get its deal past the ACCC
Divestments may be needed to get the Chemist Warehouse/Sigma deal over the line, but they don’t look too strenuous.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Coles has a bit of a booze problem
While Coles’ supermarket sales are holding up well, a shock drop in its liquor division tells a story about the growing pain of interest rates.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
Bonza mess stretches from English soccer club to the US pension system
The tiny regional airline is stuck in the middle of a fight that stretches from Liverpool to Miami to Bermuda and New York. There will be no easy way out.
- Updated
- James Thomson
April
- Opinion
- Opinion
Investors need to turn detective in the hunt for interest rate pain
Several sectors on the ASX have surged on the prospect of rate cuts that aren’t coming any time soon. It’s time for investors to reassess.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
How TPG and Optus went from enemies to frenemies
Just 14 months ago, TPG and Optus apparently hated each other’s guts. But their new regional mobile networking sharing deal shows commercial logic has prevailed.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Hiring
Is this the person to save fallen Star Entertainment?
The clean-up of the gaming company is one for the ages. And there’s a name keeps coming up as a potential salvage CEO - former Lendlease boss Steve McCann.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why Shayne Elliott says it’s time to tweak responsible lending rules
The ANZ boss says the derisking of Australia’s very safe banking system is coming at a cost to growth and economic dynamism. A rebalancing is required.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Private equity
How under the radar I-MED is fighting fit after 20-year PE job
Tucked away in private equity, it is easy to forget about Australia’s biggest imaging company I-MED. But it is worth watching this year; it has a few ideas on the boil.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Anglo’s predictable rejection won’t end BHP’s ambitions
BHP won’t be put off the scent by Anglo American’s rejection of its $60 billion takeover. There’s too much at stake.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
12 stock picks for a tough investing environment
Low rates and endless stimulus may have left investors unprepared for the difficult environment that lies ahead. Here are 12 stock picks to consider.
- James Thomson
Woodside looks inward after climate gambit defeated
The oil and gas producer felt the force of big super and green investors when it took a transition plan to shareholders. Now it has no choice but to do better on emissions.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Scott Farquhar departs with Atlassian at a crucial point
Atlassian’s unique two-CEO model is ending at a fascinating time for the company, as its shares lag the broader tech sector.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
How to adjust your ASX portfolio for a higher-for-longer world
Hot inflation and the prospect that rate cuts will be further delayed should encourage investors to rotate from banks towards miners, Morgan Stanley says.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Opinion
BHP’s complex bid for Anglo American is a bet on the future
After years of shrinking to greatness, BHP boss Mike Henry is eyeing a deal that could deliver a triple victory. But it’s complex, and possibly risky.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Managed funds
The funds management shakeout is on – is it about to get worse?
First Sentier’s David Allen gave up the game when announcing what was probably the biggest ever strategy closure in Australian funds management earlier this week.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Opinion
Mark Zuckerberg is stuck in AI purgatory, and that’s OK
Meta Platforms has a clear-eyed vision of how its artificial intelligence bets will pay off, but the returns on its growing investments remain some way off. Investors should expect to see more of this.
- James Thomson