The search is on for Australia’s fastest growing companies.
Minority government draws closer as Labor spins it wheels
The government is running out of time to start rebuilding its fortunes, with the latest Freshwater poll showing it unable to gain traction with voters.
ASX to slip as investors wait for more signs of economic resilience
Investors will have a clearer picture of consumer sentiment as a string major retailers and discretionary brands report their results.
Voters prefer limits rather than total ban on gambling ads: poll
Limiting the number of sports betting ads shown on television, and when they can be shown, is more popular than banning them altogether according
- Exclusive
- Aviation
AFP on the scene at Rex as boardroom recriminations deepen
The inquiries come weeks after the regional carrier collapsed, and as administrators at EY work to find a buyer for its fleet and network of services.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
This $3trn investor knows what to watch when it comes to Harris v Trump
It’s not long until early voting starts. This fortnight will be a big one for the presidential race, and the outcome will have a major impact on markets.
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Resilient corporate profits are masking the ASX’s shaky foundations
Earnings season reveals local groups are performing better than expected. Weakness in China and a fall in Commonwealth Bank’s share price could undo the gains, writes Jonathan Shapiro.
Real estate portal Domain the ultimate fixer-upper for Nine’s board
It’s Australia in 2024, and property is (still) king. Getting the one-time growth engine firing again would make for some very happy shareholders.
Wealth Generation: News and views to help aspirational investors grow their wealth. In your inbox every Wednesday.
smart investor
Strategy that can boost retirees’ income by $308k gains traction
Actuaries modelled the effect of annuities on retirement income for couples with $2 million, $1 million and $500,000 in super.
- 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.
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Companies
Fast-growing firm nabs ex-big four partners in Canberra consulting push
BDO Australia has recruited a former PwC-turned-Scyne partner and an ex-Deloitte and Sayers Group partner to lead its new Canberra office.
Mining lobby says Plibersek intervention imperils $1b gold project
The federal environment minister late on Friday placed heritage protection orders over the headwaters of the Belubula River, near Regis’ McPhillamys development.
- Opinion
- Gender equality
When it comes to chairing major boards, men still rule
Over the past year, depending on when the data was cut, there have been either no women, or one woman, sitting at the helm of an ASX20 company.
Cyclone damage bill at South32’s Groote manganese mine hits $171m
The lucrative operation is owned jointly with Anglo American. New filings show the two diversified miners are injecting more money to resume exports next year.
MyState, Auswide agree to binding regional bank merger
Street Talk understands the regional banks have entered into a transformative binding scheme implementation agreement.
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.
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.
Companies in the News
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Markets
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.
- Opinion
- Federal Reserve
Five big questions for the Fed at Jackson Hole
The annual economics 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.
Opinion
The ASX’s legal mess reveals deep-rooted problems in boardrooms
Court action against the ASX over its bungled CHESS replacement project reflects a worrying escalation in the box-ticking, compliance culture inside Australian boardrooms.
Contributor
Sponsorship money doesn’t grow on trees and less popular sports will lose out
As we saw when tobacco advertising was banned, elite sports had little difficulty is attracting new sponsors, but non-elite ones will struggle, writes Sinclair Davidson.
Contributor
Why the US presidential race will be a referendum on masculinity
The contest pitches the ‘nice guys of the left’, in Tim Walz and Dough Emhoff, against the toxic masculinity of Trump and the anti-cat-lady conservatism of J.D. Vance.
Contributor
Democrats now the American dreamers
Democrats have become the true believers in the American mission. Republicans will be more prudential in assessing foreign policy capacities.
International editor
National cabinet urgently needs an overhaul
Readers’ letters on why national cabinet needs a review; the RBA’s Andrew Hauser; the problem of super tax changes for unrealised gains; and angst over The Australian Club.
Contributor
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.
Columnist
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
- Federal election
Gambling ban findings small comfort in an otherwise bleak snapshot
The latest poll has good news for the government on the gambling ban front, but the stuff that really matters remains dire, writes Phillip Coorey.
Corruption boss warns on lawyers, consultants and the election
As the anti-corruption agency marks its first year, chief Paul Brereton says electoral donations and pork-barrelling are in focus, as well as consultants doing government work.
NDIS comes in $600m below budget as reforms bite
Budget measures to cap growth in the National Disability Insurance Scheme are beginning to bring the cost of the scheme under control.
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
National cabinet urgently needs an overhaul
Readers’ letters on why national cabinet needs a review; the RBA’s Andrew Hauser; the problem of super tax changes for unrealised gains; and angst over The Australian Club.
Call for medical supply overhaul after IV fluid shortage shock
Health ministers met on Friday to discuss a critical shortage of IV fluid bags which is raising questions about Australia’s ability to source medical supplies.
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World
Ukraine blows up key Russian bridge in tactical push
The bridge’s destruction is a setback for Russian supply lines as Ukraine seeks to consolidate its territorial gains in the Kursk region of western Russia.
India’s doctors strike nationwide over colleague’s rape and murder
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to crack down on sexual violence against women, but incidents are rising.
Deadly Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, Lebanon despite truce talks
The new bloodshed came after the United States and its allies expressed optimism over ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza.
- Analysis
- US election
Kamala Harris’ big test this week: Policy or personality
All eyes will be on the vice president at the Democratic National Convention as she tries to keep momentum going in the race for the White House.
- Analysis
- Social media
Who’s afraid of Elon Musk?
Is the combative entrepreneur fanning the flames of far-right politics or is he just “an angry man screaming into a hurricane”?
Property
Decline in home ownership a boon for retirement operator Eureka
The company’s new chief executive, Simon Owen, says a growing number of retirees don’t have the real estate to buy into more expensive homes.
Vietnamese owners hope to triple money on NT cattle station
Pham Nhat Vu, the brother of Vietnam’s richest person, Pham Nhat Vuong, is selling Vermelha Station near Larrimah, which he purchased for $18 million in 2016.
- 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.
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
Crowdfunding firm seeks survival funding after ‘diabolical’ 18 months
Equitise, a major equity raising platform, is in talks with investors to recapitalise the company as the sector looks to rebuild after the tech funding winter.
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.
Work & Careers
Urgent bid to stop sparkie work bans to cite blackout risk to lives
A recent ruling that workers taking industrial action at Transgrid put people on life support at risk is likely to be relied upon by Endeavour Energy.
- Opinion
- Gender pay gap
This Gender Pay Day, employers must take action for their own good
Women must work, on average, 50 more days per year to earn the same as men. Here’s what businesses need to do about it, writes Mary Wooldridge.
Life & Luxury
The comic cynicism of the celebrity academic
A new, celebrated novel makes fun of academic fame, university politics and self-entitled students.
Everyone is angry at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, even its musicians
The MSO’s decision to cancel a guest pianist for his Gaza war commentary, then backtrack, has united pro-Israel and pro-Palestine activists in disdain.
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.
