The search is on for Australia’s fastest growing companies.
Labor’s agenda trapped in Senate as foes sniff blood
There is a logjam of legislation currently before the parliament, and it is clear not all of it is going to make the cut before the election.
Wall Street smashes records to post best week this year
Equities extended their advance into a seventh straight session, with the S&P 500 seeing its best performance in such a span since October 2022.
Strike at BHP-owned mine ends as workers win $48,000 bonus
BHP had previously offered a $US28,900 bonus per worker, compared with the union’s demand of 1 per cent of shareholder dividends from the mine.
- Exclusive
- Industrial relations
Sparkies’ industrial action delays $23b in hospital, homes, roads
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital redevelopment is the latest project, along with thousands of homes, to be delayed by the Electrical Trades Union pay dispute.
In ‘diabolical trouble’ – How big wine brands fell out of favour
Wolf Blass, who set up his eponymous wine brand almost 60 years ago, says the cheaper end of the wine sector is in ‘diabolical trouble’ but the cycle will turn positive again.
The beef baron, the waste magnate and the battle for Brisbane
A bustling weekend farmer’s market on the city’s fringes has emerged as a battleground in a stoush between two industry titans.
Bullock says inflation is not Chalmers’ fault. Voters disagree
Reserve Bank boss Michele Bullock has softened the bank’s previous warning that government spending is contributing to inflation, in a shift that will help shore up relations with treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Wealth Generation: News and views to help aspirational investors grow their wealth. In your inbox every Wednesday.
smart investor
- Exclusive
- Investing
What investors can learn from 30 years of markets data
Analysis by Vanguard Australia for AFR Weekend reveals how different asset classes have performed and a surprise top performer in the last financial year.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Arrogant RBA boss should stop trying to muffle opponents
The haughty deputy governor of the Reserve Bank should focus on ensuring the central bank does not once again become a false prophet.
Couples go under the radar when it comes to gifting rules
It means they will not face age pension cuts when moving super between their accounts to maximise opportunities.
- Opinion
- Superannuation
Why superannuation is the ultimate antidote to market slumps
The tax benefits of superannuation are so great it’s difficult to lose money.
Should I pay my children to stay off social media?
The right age for children to start using social media is a topic of hot debate.
earnings season
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Investors just got a $15b dividend deluge. But beware three trends
The first serious week of profit season has seen a deluge of dividends and few signs of the economy rolling over. But investors should not be complacent.
Interest rates weigh on NAB customers as arrears jump
“The economic environment, including persistent inflationary pressures, is challenging for our customers,” chief executive Andrew Irvine said.
Flat convenience spend, rising costs hit Charter Hall retail REIT
Charter Hall Retail REIT starts 2024-25 on a downbeat note after issuing soft earnings guidance, but its distribution will stay intact.
ASX profits drift as regulatory expenses bite
The market operator’s CEO, Helen Lofthouse, accepted the “serious” nature of ASIC’s case but said the exchange was trying to look forward.
Barrenjoey, in the black and paying dividends, finally hits its stride
The firm had been plagued by years of high start-up costs. Big deals for Guzman y Gomez and Suncorp, and a broader business, have turned its fortunes around.
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Companies
ASX profits drift as regulatory expenses bite
The market operator’s CEO, Helen Lofthouse, accepted the “serious” nature of ASIC’s case but said the exchange was trying to look forward.
Telstra boss Vicki Brady retreats from the ‘telco for everything’
The era of hotchpotch acquisitions and experimenting with non-telco services such as selling energy plans is over.
A2 Milk strikes peace deal with Synlait, sending shares sharply higher
The agreement will allow the company to manufacture its infant formula for the first time, with investors hoping for wider margins and better returns.
PwC fined $29m for ignoring ‘red flags’ in mini-bond fraud
The fine on PwC’s UK arm comes after PwC failed to report its suspicions about a defunct company’s involvement in fraudulent activity.
A red alert and 100 defects: Inside ASIC’s case against the ASX
It was the upgrade to the settlement and clearing system that would have made the Australian stock exchange a global leader. It did not turn out that way.
Domino’s Pizza boss names sister as local CEO
Kerri Hayman was appointed chief executive of Australia and New Zealand for the brand, while her brother, Don Meij, focuses on fixing the overseas operations.
New York Times reporter’s misstep led to leak of Jewish chat group
One of the global media giant’s Australian staff said she “deeply regretted” her decision to share material from the private discussion.
Companies in the News
Search companies
View stories and data from an ASX listed company
Markets
- Opinion
- Federal Reserve
Five big questions for the Fed at Jackson Hole
The annual economic conference is a chance for Jerome Powell to reveal how he might change the way the Fed conducts monetary policy.
Consumer resilience surprises market as retailers thump profit season
The majority of stocks upgrading fiscal 2025 guidance so far are retailers, as investors turn more positive on the market’s most problematic sector.
GQG’s pivot away from tech stocks pays dividends
The firm attracted $16.8 billion of inflows in the first half, lifting funds under management to record levels as its funds extended their outperformance.
Miners boost shares; NAB gains, ASX Ltd falls on profit report
Shares add 1.3pc head for six straight sessions of gains. RBA hoses down rate cut hopes. NAB posts flat profit, warns on bad debts. ASX flags record revenue. Follow here.
US retail sales beat forecasts as consumers shake off price rises
The report showcases a consumer that’s holding up despite higher borrowing costs, a cooling labour market and an uncertain economic outlook.
Opinion
Labor can’t hide gambling mess behind media
The government has used newfound concern with media company health as cover for fudged gambling policy.
Editorial
Whatever happens next, Iran is in poor shape to fight anyone
Iran is under acute social, political and economic stress. Its rulers will be under pressure if they retaliate against Israel, or if they don’t.
Corporate advisor
Arrogant RBA boss should stop trying to muffle opponents
The haughty deputy governor of the Reserve Bank should focus on ensuring the central bank does not once again become a false prophet, writes Christopher Joye.
Columnist
Professors and populists all get inflation wrong
Despite what a Nobel prizewinner and Jacqui Lambie might think, growth is the only serious answer to inflation.
Editor-at-large
Why Telstra’s latest strategy shift might pay off
Why Vicki Brady wants to keep Telstra’s infrastructure assets close and growing even if mobiles remain today’s success story.
Columnist
Super wars are over, but the governance fight is yet to be won
The Australian Financial Review is on the side of members, and we believe their interests could be served by a more transparent and independent superannuation system.
Editorial
Reports
Wealth - Sustainable investing
This special report looks at the growing movement to support natural capital and options for investors to balance returns with greening their portfolios.
Politics
- Opinion
- Gambling
PM’s Gaza refugees become Dutton’s Hamas terrorists
The opposition leader would be within his rights to ask for greater screening of refugees from a war zone. But that’s not what he is really saying.
Foreign student cuts risk recession, business and tourism warn
They say that by slashing international student numbers the federal government is risking an industry that contributes $48 billion to Australia’s GDP.
Greater transparency drives gender pay gap to record low
The publication of large employers’ gender pay gaps has pressured bosses to do more to address the issue.
Impatience grows over aged care reforms
The government is expected to release soon its long-overdue aged care reform proposals.
‘Commonsense’ approach used to deport Kiwi criminals
The leaders of Australia and New Zealand have discussed closer defence co-operation, cybersecurity and the creation of an NRL team for Papua New Guinea.
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World
Hurricane-hit US home building slides for a fifth month
Aside from the weather, the housing market remains constrained by higher mortgage rates and house prices.
Trump refuses to tone down personal attacks on Harris
The former US president said he is “entitled” to assail his Democratic rival despite Republican and donor advice that he stick to economic messages.
Bibles, crypto, clubs: Trump’s new revenue streams
Donald Trump’s latest financial disclosure lists more than $1.5 million in crypto holdings as he courts the industry.
Young, Instagram-friendly heir becomes Thailand’s new PM
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of the political power broker Thaksin Shinawatra, is becoming prime minister at a chaotic time.
China squeezes Western militaries with export ban on weapons metal
The Commerce Ministry announced it will restrict exports of a mineral used in a wide range of products from batteries to weapons in the latest trade war salvo.
Property
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Adam Blumenthal knocks down price to sell Rose Bay penthouse
Founder of EverBlu Capital Adam Blumenthal and wife Annabelle Shamir have sold their Rose Bay penthouse after almost a year on the market.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Coal king takes Qld property spend to new heights
There’s been movement at the top end of Brisbane’s apartment market as M Resources’ Matt Latimore and deal maker Tony Quinn buy up penthouses.
Flat convenience spend, rising costs hit Charter Hall retail REIT
Charter Hall Retail REIT starts 2024-25 on a downbeat note after issuing soft earnings guidance, but its distribution will stay intact.
- Updated
- Earnings season
Goodman sets out its transformation from warehouses to data centres
Chief executive Greg Goodman says demand for data processing and storage is “next level” as he maps out the next five years for the landlord.
This property trust just wiped 8pc off its office tower values
The office manager still maintained an upbeat outlook, pointing to the NSW government and more corporates enforcing return-to-office requirements.
Wealth
- Exclusive
- Investing
What investors can learn from 30 years of markets data
Analysis by Vanguard Australia for AFR Weekend reveals how different asset classes have performed and a surprise top performer in the last financial year.
The ATO has this overlooked property tax in its crosshairs
Small-scale property developers need to be aware that GST is applicable in certain circumstances. Read the 10 tips for mum and dad developers.
Should I pay my children to stay off social media?
The right age for children to start using social media is a topic of hot debate.
Technology
We can’t control deepfakes, tech giants say
Fake AI images and videos flooding social media thanks to Elon Musk’s xAI firm. Microsoft and Amazon say we may need new laws to stamp out the worst ones.
Apple finally opens up tap-and-go, but banks remain very wary
In a decision seemingly forced by a European antitrust deal, the US tech giant said access to the payment functionality would be granted to outside developers.
Cisco slashes jobs, looks towards AI and cybersecurity
Cisco, the biggest maker of computer networking equipment, gave a bullish revenue forecast, but also announced plans to slash jobs as part of a strategy shift.
Work & Careers
Small business owner fears for future as sparkie bans hit rural NSW
The Bermagui resident was due to open her wedding and events business in weeks. But industrial action by power workers, spreading across NSW, has thrown everything up in the air.
With $70 this duo grew Australia’s biggest media brand for young women
Six years on, 30-year-olds Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews have built a burgeoning company without any external investment.
Life & Luxury
Caviar in business class? Why bother with first
The luxury is typically only afforded to first class travellers, but Qatar Airways says it will offer it to customers on the 14-hour flight to and from Doha.
For $5600, you’d want to keep the bottle this rare cognac comes in
Beyond French liqueur, this week we’ve sourced seductive fashion, chic homewares and smoky scents.
This Aussie quit his career to open a luxury resort in Greece
It’s no coincidence that it took Australians to tackle the challenge of opening Gundari in such a secluded island location.
A man’s guide to surviving menopause
Forewarned is forearmed. Here’s what to expect when your partner starts to experience symptoms and how to deal with it.
This fashionista wants wailing and pasta at her funeral – but no black
New York-based media veteran Laura Brown doesn’t spend much time thinking about the great unknown; it’s going to come anyway.
