Join us for in-depth discussions about the big ideas and bold strategies shaking up the sector.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Yancoal’s 20pc crash is about more than a missing dividend
Queensland and NSW’s big coal miners have their eyes up, knowing consolidation makes sense and could create value for investors.
Growth resurgence to keep interest rates higher for longer: RBA
The RBA said it considered lifting the cash rate to 4.6 per cent this month amid concerns of a forecast lift in economic growth and persistently high inflation.
- Live
- Need to Know
‘I love the job. I love my country more’: Biden gives final remarks
Biden says he is not angry with those who told him to step down; Australia and Indonesia to sign defence pact; Universities failing to improve language skills. How the day unfolded.
‘Crazy’: doubling uni graduate rates in current economy a big ask
Labor’s plan to dramatically raise the number of Australians with tertiary qualifications is “exceedingly ambitious”, says one of the UK’s leading educators.
- Live
- Markets Live
ASX on track to extend winning streak; Yancoal plummets 20pc
Australian shares march higher as US shares rise for eighth session. Ansell cuts dividend. Reliance Worldwide and Monadelphous rally. Follow updates here.
Dexus posts $1.5b loss as office values tumble
The fund manager and investor expects a drop in earnings in the 2025 financial year amid a challenging commercial property sector.
- Exclusive
- Streaming
Fox Sports, AFL, NRL sued in US over alleged misuse of Meta tracking
The legal actions centre around the use of a monitoring tool on subscription services to watch the football codes outside Australia.
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EARNINGS SEASON
- Results Wrap
- Chanticleer
Chanticleer’s gems and trends from profit season’s super Tuesday
Dexus gives itself more wriggle room, Reliance Worldwide gets investor hearts racing, and Vicinity Centres goes further upmarket.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
‘People need a rate cut’: Here’s the big story of profit season
The pressure of higher-for-longer rates is the thread running through profit season. But the pain is far from over, even if the ASX 200 doesn’t believe it.
Chadstone owner Vicinity beats guidance as occupancy rates rise
The mall landlord, which also owns Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building, reported operating earnings of 14.6¢ per security after saying in February that it would hit the top end of its guidance of 14.5¢.
Ansell declares PPE glut over, sheds almost 10pc of its staff
Shares in the medical gloves group jumped as the chief executive confirmed 1330 jobs had been cut as it ramps up automation.
Kathmandu, Rip Curl owner ends grim year with June quarter recovery
New Zealand’s KMD Brands said sales across its three retail chains fell 11 per cent over the 2024 financial year, but improved in the final three months.
TECH TUESDAY
Why an Aussie firm spent $1.5m on a ‘Drive to Survive’-like rally doco
In a branding strategy inspired by the success of influencers such as MrBeast, SafetyCulture founder Luke Anear is using YouTube to increase audience reach.
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Investors back ‘unicorn’ Go1 CEO swap, as IPO plans emerge
The founding CEO of $3b Queensland tech firm Go1 will step down in a move backed by its early investors, with his co-founder taking sole charge of the run to an IPO.
Ex-Young Rich Lister’s collapsed tech firm questioned over ‘unusual transactions’
Administrators of collapsed former tech player LiveTiles have questioned “unusual” transactions, and an investment in a start-up that had only been incorporated for a day.
- Opinion
- AI
What a Microsoft boss learnt from Senate grilling on AI
Microsoft’s Steven Worrall says Australia’s economic outlook over the next 30 years depends on it getting AI regulatory settings, and training plans, right.
- Analysis
- AI
The new ‘killer app’: How AI is reinventing the phone
Artificial intelligence might well be the latest killer app for phones, but unlike previous killer apps, it might not be one that consumers are willing to pay for.
The best of travel, fashion, cars and more, straight to your inbox every Saturday.
Companies
- Exclusive
- Big four
Big banks pre-empt RBA move by cutting rates on term deposits
Intense competition for deposits has benefited savers but squeezed bank margins. The cuts come well before most expect the RBA to drop the cash rate.
New Zealand regulator lambasts banks for ‘sporadic’ competition
The NZ Commerce Commission called for open banking to be “fully operational” within two years and for the government to invest more capital into its Kiwibank.
Tax Office owed $9m in Mighty Craft collapse, debts hit $40m
The Australian Taxation Office is a major creditor to the craft beer group, which has a 25.5 per cent stake in zero carb brewer Better Beer.
- Exclusive
- Executive shake-up
Ex-Levi Strauss executive to run Country Road brand
Just weeks after Elle Roseby left the Australian retailer, chief executive Raju Vuppalapati has appointed a former Levi’s colleague to head the fashion label.
- Updated
- Earnings season
Power grid foils Ampol’s big EV charger plans
One of the country’s largest petrol retailers says it has become more difficult to connect to the power grid, at the same time as sales of EVs are sluggish.
Billionaire fisherman faces barramundi wipeout
Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison’s private company, Wild Barra Fisheries, faces uncertain future under plans to ban gill nets in the NT and Queensland.
Margins recover at Westpac as bank profit pressures ease
Chief executive Peter King said that the three months to June 30 was a “solid quarter” for the Sydney-based lender.
Companies in the News
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Markets
Why Chris Kourtis just sold BHP and bought Fortescue
Investors and analysts are starting to warm to the longtime ASX pariah, despite the slumping iron ore price.
- Opinion
- Investing
Markets should be afraid of whoever wins the US election
Donald Trump wants a say in monetary policy, and Kamala Harris is flirting with economic populism. Markets are right to be jumpy ahead of November’s election.
Investors are buying up gold stocks before the first US rate cut
The precious metal is the standout commodity this year, jumping 21 per cent to fresh records on expectations that the US dollar will weaken. It has also lit a fire under ASX-listed producers.
The ASX stocks that could still shock this reporting season
Here are the winners and losers so far as earnings month hits half-time. And UBS reveals the companies that could rally or sell off in the second stanza.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The market sell-off was crazy, but so is what’s happened since
The biggest market panic since the pandemic seems to have come and gone. But don’t believe the calm – this is a fragile market.
Opinion
Tax agent code shouldn’t invade right to mental health privacy
These new obligations will disincentivise seeking mental health treatment and cause fear that a diagnosis could trigger disclosure rules and hurt business.
CEO, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
For inflation to fall fast, Labor must boost productivity, not hobble it
The Albanese government may not have caused the problem, but its policies help determine why the interest rate pain will last longer here.
Economist
Dutton and Albanese ignore ASIO warning to tone down Gaza brawl
Peter Dutton sees an advantage in keeping up the pressure on Anthony Albanese over visas for Gaza refugees, accusing him of making the country less safe.
Columnist
Our universities have become talent bottlenecks
Australia’s higher education system is optimised for foreign students. It is neither developing enough local skills, nor keeping the best of overseas talent.
Business leader and philanthropist
All should stand with Jewish Australians against antisemitism
It is deeply concerning that antisemitism is emerging as an unthinking form of prejudice in parts of Australian society.
Editorial
We’ve heard TV stations and footy codes prophesise doom before
The gambling lobby has a well-thumbed playbook developed from earlier health warnings and advertising restrictions on tobacco and alcohol.
Gambling reform advocate
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
I’m not trying to crash a $50b industry, Jason Clare tells unis
Education Minister Jason Clare sought to allay worries over looming caps on international students, but his proposal was labelled “scandalous” by one vice chancellor.
- Exclusive
- Legal industry
ASIC, ACCC ‘materially weakened’ in court by $5k cap on top silk pay
Former chairmen of ASIC and the ACCC have spoken out against the 13-year freeze on federal government pay rates for barristers, saying it cost them in the courtroom.
NYT must investigate chat leak further, says prominent lawyer
Arnold Bloch Leibler partner and Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler says the impact on doxxed members has been profound.
- Exclusive
- Manufacturing
Caravan and chocolate makers line up for Made in Australia billions
Caravan manufacturers, chocolate makers, software developers and native titleholders are among the slew of interest groups putting their hands out for taxpayer support.
‘Political roadkill’: why Labor can’t get credit for its $32b housing plan
Newly appointed Housing Minister Clare O’Neil says the causes of the supply crisis facing Australian families are more complicated than legislation in parliament. She has a plan to break the deadlock.
SPONSORED
World
Harris plans to raise corporate tax rate to 28pc in Trump clash
The move to increase government revenue would face stiff opposition from Republicans and the business community.
Superyacht sinks in Italy, tech tycoon, several others missing
Mike Lynch had just been acquitted of a billion-dollar fraud. Now he’s missing, and one person is dead after his luxury yacht was struck by a tornado.
‘A lot of risk’: Why CEOs are staying mute on the US election
Many executives hope for a more business-friendly Democrat but remain reluctant to take a public position.
Joy for ‘Britain’s Bill Gates’ and lawyers ends in superyacht tragedy
Just weeks after a huge courtroom victory, UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among seven people, including a Morgan Stanley executive, missing off Palermo’s coast.
- Opinion
- US election
The campaign controlling the memes shapes the reality of the election
While Republican Donald Trump remains the undisputed king of mass media co-option, Democrat Kamala Harris is fast mastering memetic warfare.
Property
Chadstone owner Vicinity beats guidance as occupancy rates rise
The mall landlord, which also owns Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building, reported operating earnings of 14.6¢ per security after saying in February that it would hit the top end of its guidance of 14.5¢.
- Updated
- Earnings season
Lendlease dives to $1.5b loss as it beds down international exit
The country’s largest real estate group said the poor result reflected “poor business conditions and the early actions from our refreshed strategy”.
Construction cost blowout kills $750m housing project
Metrics appoints receivers to a North Melbourne site that was to be developed into a $750m urban village after blowout in construction costs.
GPT flags bigger push into funds management
GPT has been an early adopter of the funds’ management model, running large, well-established unlisted office and malls funds.
The $1m apartment downsizers wouldn’t touch
It had stairs – lots of stairs – faced south and needed a ton of work. But first home buyers fought hard for it.
Wealth
Stability is great for portfolios – if you know where to look
Poll outcomes across the developing world appear to support growth as the US election looms.
- Opinion
- Property prices
What property investors need to know about the mean, median and mode
Property investors need to know the three main statistical metrics and how they each offer a unique perspective on market values.
- 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.
Technology
How to use AI in unis – and spot ‘very bland’ cheats
Banning AI was an understandable knee-jerk response, says ANU vice chancellor and tech expert Genevieve Bell. But it won’t work.
- Analysis
- AI
The new ‘killer app’: How AI is reinventing the phone
Artificial intelligence might well be the latest killer app for phones, but unlike previous killer apps, it might not be one that consumers are willing to pay for.
Ex-Young Rich Lister’s collapsed tech firm questioned over ‘unusual transactions’
Administrators of collapsed former tech player LiveTiles have questioned “unusual” transactions, and an investment in a start-up that had only been incorporated for a day.
Work & Careers
Rare recruitment guide reveals what it takes to be a spy (sort of)
Australia’s most secretive spy agency puts the emphasis on HR speak rather than the glamour of spying as it tries to recruit staff.
Damian Oyong could save millions of lives. We almost lost him to the US
Australia needs the best and brightest to lead our research efforts, but too often we make it difficult for them to stay.
Life & Luxury
Why Aussies love this ski resort – and it’s not Whistler
It starts with one season as a ski bum and morphs into an annual family holiday with kids in tow. People keep returning to SilverStar in Canada’s British Columbia.
How medical research is failing women
For years, the process for developing and testing new drugs has focused disproportionately on male bodies — to the detriment of female patients.
Look, no hands: How to go bespoke without visiting the tailor
Using a new AI-powered tailoring app, this writer measured up at home for a custom-made suit. The process was almost seamless.
A Father’s Day gift guide for the desperate
What dads want to do and what they have to do, are not always the same thing. But these gifts help bridge the gap.
The uncomfortable truth about Dad bod
New fathers often find themselves with extra upholstery. Although polishing off your kids’ meals doesn’t help, that’s not the real culprit.
