- Opinion
- Federal election
The Liberals need Frydenberg, but at what cost?
The optics of a bloke pushing aside a woman, especially in a teal seat, just because it’s suddenly become winnable, will be poor, writes Phillip Coorey.
- Analysis
- Due diligence
Only way to lose on Aussie property? Top short defies doubters
Lifestyle Communities, one of the market’s most shorted stocks, was a key hedge fund bet at the Hong Kong Sohn conference, writes Jemima Whyte.
Spike in auction volumes drags clearance rates lower
Preliminary clearance rates drifted lower across Sydney and Melbourne over the weekend as more vendors put their homes on the market.
Maurice Blackburn eyes tsunami of TV news lawsuits amid Nine strife
The law firm has put out a call for people in the commercial TV industry to share their stories of sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination.
ASX to push higher in pivotal week for interest rates
Futures on the S&P/ASX 200 point to a gain of at least 0.5 per cent on Monday for the local bourse after modest gains on Wall Street that sent the benchmark S&P 500 up 0.8 per cent at the end of last week.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
From 400 red buses in Melbourne to $400m a year and a $4b payday
Bus company Kinetic is one of Australia’s unheralded success stories. In an industry full of family operators, no one has cracked it like Kinetic’s crew.
Frydenberg’s political comeback splits Liberals
The former treasurer is not ruling out a rematch against teal independent Monique Ryan in his old seat of Kooyong.
AFR Weekend: The big stories, best reads and expert advice. In your inbox on Saturday.
Edition
Financial Review Rich List 2024
Tracking the fortunes of Australia’s richest people since 1983 | Australia’s 200 most wealthy and how they are handing over the keys to the kingdom
smart investor
Decades after tycoon’s death, his family is suing each other over a mansion
Tech tycoon’s widow says she felt ‘used and abused’ in a dispute that pitted her three children against her – and each other.
How the rich use this tax strategy to get richer
For many people, debt is a scary word. But debt can help build wealth so long as you’re careful about it.
The ASX business so good ‘you can’t put a sell on it’
Analysts say Pro Medicus is one of the world’s most expensive stocks, but also one of the best.
- Opinion
- Bonds
Opportunities aplenty for yield buyers
There is a rich array of opportunities available for investors searching for relatively safe and liquid yields.
- Opinion
- Portfolio management
The economy is turning and your investment portfolio needs attention
Residential mortgage-backed securities might be a good option in a weakening economy.
Get the latest business news on the go with the AFR’s new iOS app.
Companies
Investors fear more profit downgrades as pricing power crumbles
Erosion of pricing power for which many companies were once vaunted is shaping as the next leg of the confession season with less than a month of trading left.
- Opinion
- Financial planners
The ghost of Dixon Advisory haunts planning industry
Financial planners are up in arms about being forced to pay out tens of millions of dollars in compensation to victims of the conflict-riddled wealth management firm, writes Jonathan Shapiro.
New MoneyMe chairman accuses banks of stunting competition
The government’s open banking regime “hasn’t worked as designed”, nearly four years after its introduction, new MoneyMe chairman Jamie McPhee said.
Directors at Network Ten owner Paramount back merger with Skydance
The global media company, which owns Network Ten in Australia, is up for sale by its billionaire owner Shari Redstone.
Gold Coast prequel to Star’s Hard Rock overture
A storm erupted last month about Hard Rock’s ties to a deal for casino operator Star. This was not the first time such perplexity had emerged, it can be revealed.
- Exclusive
- Hong Kong protests
Crosby Textor advised pro-Beijing HK officials
The Australian political consultancy provided advice used by pro-Beijing officials in Hong Kong ahead of the start of national security laws that dramatically curtailed free speech.
At Star, one man held all the cards
Chief executive Robbie Cooke was determined to lead every important project at the troubled casino group, former executives say.
Companies in the News
Search companies
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Markets
- Analysis
- Mergers & acquisitions
Global M&A lurches back to life
After a weak 2023, a recent flurry of deals is the latest sign of a revival in activity. But political uncertainty is holding back some takeovers.
ASIC trains its sights on private equity
The regulator is trying to work out what’s caused the slump in public listings, and whether this has triggered problems that ASIC needs to tackle.
Economists read riot act to Fair Work on minimum wage
The Fair Work Commission is expected to lift the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent next week, but economists warn that anything more will add to inflation.
Ackman to sell stake in Pershing Square ahead of planned IPO
The hedge fund manager is said to be selling a 10 per cent stake of his firm in a funding round that values it at more than $US10 billion.
Dow paces Wall St higher as early losses reversed
A morning swoon proved to be a buying opportunity after the latest inflation data renewed hopes of a 2024 pivot to rate cuts.
Opinion
A felon in the White House should raise alarm
Donald Trump’s criminal conviction may not be fatal in America’s upside-down politics. But to the rest of the world it will matter a lot.
Editorial
It will be a miracle if American democracy survives this election
Bit by bit, the United States is becoming like some Central American banana republic, where presidents who lose office expect to be jailed by their successors, writes Daniel Hannan.
Contributor
Modi’s authoritarianism will make relations with India harder to handle
It would be a tragedy and have adverse implications for the West if India’s struggle for internal harmony were to founder on the rocks of majoritarian elective autocracy.
Former Australian ambassador
On the front line of Australia’s foreign student surge
International students are in the sights of both a government and opposition looking to win votes. Who are these political pawns, and what is it like to teach them?
World editor
Hysteria over Husic’s call shows what’s wrong with tax debate
If honesty were to play any part in tax policy, we would all be searching for a way to have a fulsome conversation about our tax system, and how its failing will negatively affect all Australians.
Tax reform advocate
Forget banks, it’s time to start buying mining stocks
Money has flowed disproportionately to the big four and Wesfarmers, but headwinds are starting to turn into tailwinds for the resources sector.
Contributor
Reports
The future of financial advice
This special report looks at options to make financial advice more accessible and affordable, including robo-advice, as well as tips for the new financial year.
Sponsored
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Chance of Taiwan’s peaceful ‘reunification’ eroded, warns China
China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun said Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party was incrementally pursuing separatism.
GDP growth flatlined in March quarter: NAB
National Australia Bank economists predict GDP figures this week could show economic activity ground to a halt at the start of the year, taking annual growth to just 1 per cent.
Albanese opens door for Giles’ exit amid NZ PM’s grave concerns’
Anthony Albanese is making no commitment to keeping the embattled immigration minister as he weighs a winter reshuffle.
Trump verdict reveals deep US divisions: Dutton
Political leaders emphasised the strength of ties between Australia and the United States in the wake of the guilty verdict in Donald Trump’s election interference case.
‘Toxic’: Human rights watchdog at war with itself over Gaza
Race Discrimination commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said he needed “context” before he would condemn the phrase “from the river to the sea”, in a fiery Senate committee hearing.
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World
Trump’s a felon. Now Hunter Biden’s gun trial is set to start
Jury selection begins on Monday in the first of two cases Hunter Biden has tried to avoid for years, both to stay out of prison and spare his father.
Party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses 30-year majority
With more than 99 per cent of votes counted, the once-dominant ANC had received just over 40 per cent in parliamentary elections – well short of the majority it held.
Modi’s alliance to win big in India election, exit polls project
Most exit polls projected the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could win a two-thirds majority in the 543-member lower house of parliament.
Former president watches UFC bout amid chants of ‘we love Trump’
Last April Donald Trump sat cage-side after becoming the first former president to face criminal charges. On Saturday, he was at back at the Octagon.
Joe Biden seizes on opportunity in Trump’s guilty verdict
Donald Trump is a “convicted felon” who would “destroy our justice system, shred our democracy and attack the very idea of America”, according to the Biden camp.
Property
Lendlease profit cut after ACCC delay on $1.3b estates sale
The earnings downgrade comes as an early blow for the company’s radical reset of its vast development business through a $4.5 billion divestment program.
Brett Wells waited 517 days for a DA approval. Now he’s going to court
The doctor is at war with Woollahra Council, which has a reputation as one of Sydney’s most anti-development municipalities.
Home buyers are starting to revolt over steep prices across US
Sellers are grappling with the fact that higher-for-longer rates are choking off demand during what’s typically the key season for the US market.
The Young Rich Listers set to smash Queensland property records
Simon and Tah-nee Beard have listed their luxury penthouse for $30 million, more than double what they paid.
Why Lendlease is rebuilding after going big and going home
The Australian builder, developer and investor promises major change. But questions remain unanswered by the activist target.
Wealth
How to invest like a Rich Lister and beat the market
There are 37 listed stocks linked to Rich List members, and their ability to deliver above-market returns is impressive.
Decades after tycoon’s death, his family is suing each other over a mansion
Tech tycoon’s widow says she felt ‘used and abused’ in a dispute that pitted her three children against her – and each other.
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
I’m a high earner about to encounter Division 293 tax. What can I do?
You may want to consider reducing your taxable income below $250,000 by claiming allowable deductions such as donations to charity.
Technology
Why CBA’s AI future needs more reimagining
A US trip left CBA chief executive Matt Comyn with questions to which he doesn’t have all the answers. It’s a common theme across the Australian business world.
Why age restrictions on social media ‘won’t happen overnight’
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says it is difficult to judge the correct age to ban kids from social media.
Turmoil erupts inside OpenAI over safety fears
Arguments over safety and Sam Altman’s leadership are spilling back into the public domain as the AI start-up is hit by resignations.
Work & Careers
Neil Perry, top chefs combine and take on the old guard
Heavy hitters including Luke Mangan and Merivale have joined a new association to help save the restaurant industry – and challenge a century-old lobby group.
- Exclusive
- Philanthropy
How Geoff Wilson assembled his investment dream team
Philip Lowe, Jennifer Westacott, Mike Baird, David Paradice, Andrew Forrest and Solomon Lew are among the heavy-hitters who have joined Geoff Wilson’s charitable mission to raise money for kids.
Life & Luxury
How this comedian built a career while working for PwC
His bosses thought he’d just popped out for a moment, but he was actually working at the ABC.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- Motoring
Volvo’s new EX30 Ultra takes just 3.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h
The fully electric city slicker is the brand’s fastest accelerating car ever, plus it’s roomy, quiet and friendly looking. What’s not to like?
Why Demi Moore’s gory new film is generating so much buzz
The actress’s moving and brutal Cannes sensation, ‘The Substance’, ends her retreat from stardom and reveals her vulnerability after a challenging career.
This is how much saturated fat you can ‘get away’ with eating
A study shows that processes that occur in your heart and blood are the biggest driver in how our bodies use different fats as fuel.
400 new recipes for one small ship? This is cruising for true foodies
New executive culinary director Alexis Quaretti is serving classical French cuisine, of course, but expect additional inventive menus from Oceania Cruises.
