Inflation to test RBA’s interest rate strategy – and credibility
Consumer price figures this week are expected to show inflation has overshot the Reserve Bank’s forecasts for nine of the past 12 months.
- Live
- Need to Know
Burke to take on Home Affairs in major Cabinet reshuffle
The prime minister has revealed Tony Burke will take on the Home Affairs portfolio, while Clare O’Neil will become the next minister for housing and homelessness. Follow updates here.
Are you excited yet? Australia leaps to top of medal tally
Disappointment in the rugby, heartbreak at the diving pool, but gold in cycling and a four-medal haul at the pool. Here’s everything you missed overnight.
- Opinion
- Hedge funds
US regulator says activist short seller was a pump-and-dumper
Andrew Left had a reputation for hunting frauds, but that gave him a platform to pump-and-dump stocks, the SEC has alleged, writes Jonathan Shapiro.
Bumpy ride for shares as CPI and big tech earnings threaten stability
Volatility is set to return to global sharemarkets this week, as the ASX braces for inflation data that could cement a Reserve Bank interest rate increase.
- Analysis
- Due diligence
Why M&A arb funds are sitting out ‘the trade of the year’
Sierra Rutile has caught the eye of London’s ‘most daring emerging markets fund’, a Sierra Leone mining contractor and a global commodities trader in a three-way bidding war, writes Jemima Whyte.
‘Weird’ J.D. Vance sparks Republican alarm after bruising week
Contentious comments about “childless cat ladies” by Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick have led to a barrage of criticism.
Wealth Generation: News and views to help aspirational investors grow their wealth. In your inbox every Wednesday.
paris 2024
Noise, pressure and humility: Australia’s epic night in the pool
The world-beating Dolphins must brim with self-belief, right? Yet ask them how winning feels, and they say they can’t believe it. It’s all part of staying grounded.
‘Pretty brutal’: Australia’s first medal bid ends in heartbreak
Synchronised divers Anabelle Smith and Maddison Keeney entered their fifth and final dive on course for at least bronze. And then it all went wrong.
An industry that began in the 1950s now breeds Olympic swimming gold
The rise of learn-to-swim schools in Australia has delivered an unexpected benefit: generations of elite swimmers faster than anyone else on Earth.
- Opinion
- Paris 2024
Long queues and lots of rain. But it was worth it
The unique opening ceremony on the Seine River was very wet, and the lines were long, but they were small prices to pay to be at what felt like a party at the centre of the universe, writes Hans van Leeuwen
Flotilla on Seine, rain and Celine Dion mark start of Olympics
Crowds braved queues at security checks and heavy downpours as they lined the banks of the Seine in Paris to watch an extravagant Olympics opening ceremony.
SMART INVESTOR
Is your super fund among these winners?
Investment chiefs of the top performers say there are still plenty of opportunities for the artificial intelligence revolution to drive up retirement savings.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
If the RBA was doing its job, it would immediately lift rates
A hot inflation figure on Wednesday would show we are in the grip of a structurally persistent crisis which has been underestimated in three of the last four quarters.
Six questions to ask your adult kids before writing a will
Not everybody has the financial literacy and emotional intelligence to handle a significant inheritance.
‘I’m a financial adviser but pay somebody else to manage my money’
Thriving Wealth founder John Cachia had three good reasons to outsource his financial affairs.
Ten books that could help you become a better investor
We asked money managers, financial advisers and a self-made multimillionaire to nominate the books that taught them the most about creating wealth.
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Companies
That cool op-shop jacket could earn you carbon credits
Federal regulators are considering a proposal to offer financial incentives to consumers who buy second-hand clothes.
Macquarie takes full ownership of Britain’s gas network
Macquarie is set to take full control of Britain’s core gas transmission network in a roughly $1.4 billion deal, as the world’s largest infrastructure investor bets on an enduring future for gas pipelines.
There’s an $8b business quietly growing inside Wesfarmers
In 2008, Kmart was on its knees. But a trip to the United Kingdom turned into the company’s greatest success – Anko, the home brand with big growth plans.
Super funds put ANZ board on notice over trading scandal
The intervention came as brokers began to warn that the alleged misconduct could lead to regulators forcing ANZ to hold more capital than its rivals.
End of the road for Kakadu’s Jabiluka uranium lease
The NT government has refused to extend a mining lease over the Jabiluka uranium deposit, cheering native titleholders but angering nuclear power advocates
- Exclusive
- Retail
Woolworths Holdings brings in BCG to slash costs at Country Road
Country Road – which operates its eponymous brand along with Mimco, Trenery, Witchery and Politix – has been controlled by the South African group since 1998.
- Analysis
- Big four
Could ANZ’s trading scandal trigger executive accountability laws?
ASIC declined to say whether its ANZ investigation involved the Financial Accountability Regime. But an ANZ update this week was speaking the language.
Companies in the News
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Markets
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Why Australia’s sharemarket is a sure bet over the long term
The S&P/ASX 200’s piercing of 8,000 is impressive, but it’s the last 30 years that should be celebrated. Every $10,000 invested in 1994 would be worth $137,626 today, writes Paul Taylor.
Tech reversal pushes US megacaps into correction territory
Double-digit falls this week in Nvidia, Tesla, Meta and Alphabet, which have powered the US market rally for the past nine months, highlight questions on artificial intelligence investment returns.
Ackman’s Pershing postpones US fund IPO
Billionaire Bill Ackman’s US closed-end fund is facing a delay to its highly-anticipated initial public offering as it awaits regulatory approval.
US stock rotation trade picks up on Fed-friendly data
Every major group in the S&P 500 rose on bets that the start of the Fed easing cycle will keep fuelling the outlook for Corporate America.
Funds hit as Trump shadow looms over green energy
Fund managers are scrambling to assess what a Republican win in November could mean for the billions of dollars earmarked for green investments.
Opinion
Multicultural report buries Australia’s British past
The institutions that Britain brought – parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, an independent judiciary and a free press – are the very institutions which have allowed multiculturalism to flourish. This report ignores them.
International editor
Harris v Trump presents starkly different Americas
The exit of Joe Biden and the entry of Kamala Harris means real campaigns and robustly articulated choices.
Editorial
Albanese is responsible for the monster that is the CFMEU
A friendly political environment created by the Labor government allows the lawless union to thrive.
Senior correspondent
Democrats will pay a price for anointing Harris
Kamala Harris is unpopular, has a penchant for excruciating banality and her career smacks of connections and favouritism.
Contributor
It’s not just Labor that let the CFMEU off the leash
Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson and some independents have played a role in enabling the militant union.
Political editor
If the RBA was doing its job, it would immediately lift rates
A hot inflation figure on Wednesday would show we are in the grip of a structurally persistent crisis which has been underestimated in three of the last four quarters.
Columnist
Reports
Cybersecurity and AI
The federal government lays out plans to help boost the nation’s cyber defences, while experts outline steps to stay safe.
Politics
Albanese kills uranium mining at Jabiluka
Anthony Albanese has ended a decades-old dispute over uranium mining in the NT by ending the mineral lease on Jabiluka and pledging to add the mine site to the Kakadu National Park.
NSW Labor formally backs Palestine state ‘as priority’
NSW Labor has sent a message to its counterparts in Canberra, passing a motion demanding the federal government recognise Palestinian statehood.
Martin Indyk, Australian diplomat who pursued Middle East peace, dies at 73
Raised in Sydney’s Castlecrag, the diplomat who helped steer Middle East policy under two US presidents, has died. “He’ll be remembered for his commitment to the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace, which in the end broke his heart.”
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
Submariner in charge of AUKUS says the debate is being hijacked
Navy chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond has offered a fierd defence of the big-money nuclear-powered submarine pact in an interview with AFR Weekend.
The inflation number that could trigger an interest rate rise
The RBA will struggle to justify keeping the cash rate on hold if consumer price index figures next week show underlying inflation stuck above 4 per cent.
SPONSORED
World
Israel warns of ‘all-out war’ on Hezbollah after deadly soccer attack
Israel blames Hezbollah for a deadly rocket strike on a soccer field in the Golan Heights. But the Lebanese militant group has denied responsibility.
Trump vows to sack top financial regulator in crypto backing
The presidential candidate has told bitcoin enthusiasts he would ensure regulatory rules were written by people ‘who love’ cryptocurrencies if elected.
China insists the world needs more EVs despite looming trade war
Beijing says Chinese manufacturers are helping the world fight climate change, rejecting US and European criticism of flooding the market with cheap cars.
Why Harris is drawing in crucial Gen Z voters
The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign gets under way with an explosion of online content that’s drawing in the younger generation.
The cost of Europe’s backlash against tourists
Record visitor numbers are provoking protests, but their spending props up the economy. Policymakers are trying to find a balance.
Property
QIC loses real estate chief, recruits ex-Dexus executive
QIC Real Estate managing director Michael O’Brien resigned from his role earlier this week.
Rich Lister-owned home building empire faces $100m class action
West Australian construction company BGC Housing Group – founded by the late Len Buckeridge and still controlled by the family – is facing a class action from potentially thousands of aggrieved home owners.
‘Business as usual’ for Selina’s Australian ‘flashpacker’ hotels
The collapse of budget accommodation operator Selina’s London-based parent company will not impact the operation of its Australian hotels, says chief operating officer.
The millions being made in flipping luxury homes
Four out of the top 10 most expensive houses sold last year were held for less than five years.
- Exclusive
- Retail property
Leica backs Melbourne CBD revival with world’s biggest store
The famed German camera maker has transformed an entire building in the Melbourne CBD into a retail hub that includes an art gallery.
Wealth
Ten books that could help you become a better investor
We asked money managers, financial advisers and a self-made multimillionaire to nominate the books that taught them the most about creating wealth.
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
Why the beach house might be cramping your retirement style
Holiday homes are great, but they don’t produce retirement income and might limit your age pension payments.
Six questions to ask your adult kids before writing a will
Not everybody has the financial literacy and emotional intelligence to handle a significant inheritance.
Technology
Expert department ‘not party’ to PsiQuantum deal
Persistent criticism of the nearly $1 billion investment in PsiQuantum was again levelled at ministers and bureaucrats this week.
Look out Google, here comes SearchGPT
OpenAI has unveiled a prototype of SearchGPT, a new web search chatbot that could rival Google, and change how people navigate the online world.
Advertisers to be verified under new online scams code
The digital industry has established a new online scam code, after delays establishing a mandatory government backed code.
Work & Careers
Why ‘quiet vacationing’ could lead to getting sacked
“Quiet vacationing” is an emerging trend as employees take advantage of work from home rules, but they could be contravening tax and visa rules.
Executives, celebrities are rushing to take this scholar’s $18K course
Marketing guru Anita Elberse’s program has become a blockbuster for Harvard Business School.
Life & Luxury
What it’s really like when you write a bestseller
Bonnie Garmus’ late literary success has been welcome but not as she imagined.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- New car snapshot
This flagship Lexus sports coupe is a hidden gem
The luxury car maker’s updated LC 500 is a beauty with a roar.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘other’ musical gets a timely revival
Hamilton is a hard act to precede, but hints of its composer’s genius are all over In The Heights, which is being revived at Sydney Opera House.
It’s About Time you book your spot at the AFR Watch Weekend
Financial Review readers are invited to enjoy special events at the Sydney and Melbourne stores of 15 of the world’s finest watchmakers.
What is the KHive?
Likely Democrat nominee Kamala Harris has supporters embracing her quirky style and turning her cringiest moments into social media memes.
