The search is on for Australia’s fastest growing companies.
- Updated
- Banking products
Business model unsustainable, says BoQ, as it sacks 400 staff
The regional lender will take control of a long-standing franchise network in a $160 million bet on its survival.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Private markets deals too big for ASIC to ignore
$50 billion in private markets deals are on the go – and they’re just the ones we know about.
Ford dumps EV plans as China competition grows
The US carmaker’s EV division is losing money, as consumer demand flags, while supply chain challenges and competition from Chinese carmakers increase.
Magistrate booted from trial after threat ‘crossed the line’
NSW Supreme Court Justice Julia Lonergan found the trial descended into bullying, unduly personal and insulting terms, sarcasm and humiliation.
Uber targets car rentals after Carshare failure
Uber has blamed a blow-out in operational costs for the failure of its Carshare service, which will cease business from September 12.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
The $340m government IT disaster no one cared about
The idea was simple enough: one back-office system to better co-ordinate all government departments. A decade later, the plan has been abandoned at big public expense.
RBA board split not dead: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers insists stalled efforts to overhaul the RBA are ongoing, but the Coalition accuses him of not listening to its concerns.
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EARNINGS SEASON
Stockland overshoots own housing predictions as settlements jump
Just four months after taming its own settlement guidance in April, the diversified developer has reported a stronger housing picture.
Super Retail boss ‘cautiously optimistic’ on 2024-25 rebound
The name behind Rebel Sport and Supercheap Auto posted record sales of $3.9 billion and kept investors happy with a special 50¢ dividend.
Japan’s ‘urgent’ $1.6b coal deal driven by royalty storm
The Japanese steel mill that bought 20 per cent of Whitehaven’s Blackwater coal mine says it was motivated by a fear higher royalties would curb supply.
Qube’s Moorebank stake on the block
The logistics group said it could sell its stake in its new Moorebank interstate rail terminal after strikes at stevedore DP World helped boost annual net profit.
Private health cover could become unaffordable, Medibank warns
The insurer says foreign student policyholders have surged, but fewer permanent Australian residents signed up for private health insurance than expected.
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Companies
ABC managing director David Anderson quits
Just 14 months into his second five-year term – and months into new chairman Kim Williams’ tenure – Mr Anderson has announced he will step down.
- Updated
- Banking products
Business model unsustainable, says BoQ, as it sacks 400 staff
The regional lender will take control of a long-standing franchise network in a $160 million bet on its survival.
WA gold miner lashes Labor’s project vetoes
Northern Star boss Stuart Tonkin says investment is at risk without a stable policy and approvals landscape.
- Exclusive
- Big four
NAB dumps Hayne-era bonus caps
The bank emailed staff on Thursday, informing them of the change, meaning its bankers can earn bigger bonuses linked to writing new business.
Card payment surcharge billions under RBA microscope
The RBA has brought forward an inquiry into card payment costs amid increased political scrutiny of the estimated $4 billion that Australians pay in fees each year.
- Exclusive
- Building Bad
Builders move to take on wounded CFMEU
Building companies are showing the first signs of trying to break the shackles of the union as it heads into administration.
Sun Cable targeting green customers as approval secured
Several letters of intent have been signed with aspiring industrial-scale green energy buyers in Darwin, Sun Cable Australia MD Cameron Garnsworthy said.
Companies in the News
Search companies
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Markets
Pengana tips this tiddler to grow into a ‘multibillion-dollar’ stock
Portfolio manager Jeremy Bendeich explains why he’s betting big on titanium, and explains the potential behind Brazilian Rare Earths.
‘Would be a disaster’: nervous short-sellers brace for iron ore at $US100
The Asian hedge funds targeting Australia’s largest mining stocks are looking on anxiously after the steelmaking ingredient staged a rapid rebound this week.
Nvidia inches closer to record as AI bonanza continues
Investors are keenly waiting for the artificial intelligence poster child to report earnings next week, which could vault the stock back into record territory.
US Fed policymakers signal willingness to cut interest rates
While several officials saw a case for reducing rates last month, the “vast majority” reckon there’s a widening window for a September pivot.
Shares rise; Megaport, Insignia, Collins Foods sink, WiseTech surges
Shares 10 straight days of gains. Whitehaven sells Blackwater stake for $1.6b. Medibank lifts dividends 13.8pc. Insignia pauses dividend. Qube lifts profits 32pc. Follow here.
Opinion
Albanese should trust Australians by answering Gaza visa questions
Does the prime minister agree with the ASIO that ‘rhetorical’ support for Hamas shouldn’t automatically disqualify anyone from coming to Australia?
Columnist
The race to define Kamala Harris is not yet won
Friday’s speech is a high-stakes opportunity for the Democratic nominee to introduce herself to voters yet to make up their minds.
Research associate
‘Gaza’ is the word Democrats dare not whisper in Chicago
Silence is the wisest option for Kamala Harris on a divisive election issue that is harming the global image of the US.
Columnist
Obamas light up the convention, and the campaign
Kamala Harris’ fight for the White House is working better than Democrats dared hope. Michelle and Barack Obama have added their star power – can the dream run last?
Columnist
Labor’s far from cleaning up CFMEU mess
Rather than waste time on the seemingly hopeless cause of rehabilitating the law-breaking union, Labor should really be focused on laws and institutions that are now called for to reinstate and uphold the rule of law across building sites.
Editorial
Manage migration in one office again
We will only get rational decisions on the issue when all the data and governance is put under one department and senior minister.
Migration expert
Reports
Higher Education Awards
The Higher Education Awards highlight the tremendous contribution that the Higher Education sector makes to Australian capability, prosperity and society.
Politics
‘Significantly different’ psychiatric report on Higgins emerges
The psychiatric report that helped secure Brittany Higgins a $2.4 million settlement was one of two dated on the same day, but which did not match, a Perth court has heard.
Taxpayers to fund $850m for long-range missile factory in NSW
Missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometres will be manufactured in Newcastle, under government plans for guided weapons production in Australia.
ASIC budget set to fall despite warnings on resourcing
The corporate regulator’s annual budget appropriation will be $6 million lower in 2027-28 compared with last financial year, but when adjusted by inflation the cut is much bigger.
- Exclusive
- Aged care
Aged care wait list exemption granted as parties close in on deal
The major parties have agreed in-principle to a new aged care funding model.
- Exclusive
- Mergers & acquisitions
M&A crackdown: corporates protest in Canberra
Executives from large companies who are worried about planned tougher laws to block corporate mergers have taken their concerns to Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
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World
What would a Harris White House mean for the world?
This week on The Fin podcast, US correspondent Matthew Cranston and international editor James Curran ask if Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can sustain momentum.
‘Underdog’ Walz vows to fight for ordinary Americans
The Minnesota governor stepped up his attacks on Donald Trump as he introduced himself to Americans as the regular guy who would protect their freedoms.
This 30-year-old podcast genius just landed a $148m deal
With her Call Her Daddy show, Alex Cooper’s “fearless, unfiltered approach” has created a fanbase “unmatched in podcasting”, says SiriusXM’s president.
Kennedy set to quit US race, endorse Trump
Short on cash and losing traction with voters, Robert F. Kennedy jnr intends to end his presidential campaign.
Divers find five bodies in superyacht, but questions remain
Among the recovered were reportedly technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter, as questions intensified over why the vessel sank so quickly.
Property
Iconic Bondi pub with lucrative licence sells for $75m
The Tea Gardens Hotel was purchased by John and Sally Ryan, who operate other Sydney venues Ryan’s Bar on George Street and the Paragon Hotel at Circular Quay.
- Exclusive
- Retail property
Dexus to offload Townsville mall for more than $200m
The looming sale of the Willows Shopping Centre comes amid a noticeable pick-up in deal activity, including from ASX-listed Scentre and Vicinity.
‘The phone is ringing off the hook’: investors head to property
Deposit rate cuts and signs the rate cycle has peaked are prompting investors to look beyond cash to high-yielding opportunities, says Centuria CEO.
- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
The faces behind Sydney’s new $10m members’ club
For $20,000 a year, members of Australia’s new tech and funding community club can take an ice bath, or breastfeed, in a space of their own.
The suburbs where every seller pocketed $1m profit
Residential profits surged to a record high in the past financial year, boosted by strong price gains, according to Domain.
Wealth
This trader spotted a ‘really big gap’ – and made a fortune
Stake’s Matt Leibowitz loved his job as a derivatives trader, but when his friends started asking how to invest in US stocks, he saw an opportunity.
With $3.2m super, this couple wants a transition to retirement
Where one person is already retired and the other is still working full-time, what is the best way to manage retirement savings?
Millennial Zac dumps home ownership dream for ETFs
Zac Shparberg, 30, says he has no hope of owning a property in the city he grew up in. So, he’s embraced a different wealth creation plan that experts say could work.
Technology
- Teaching Excellence
- Higher Education Awards
The secret to training the next generation of tech whizzes
From curing maths anxiety to using AI to teach a tricky programming language, these Teaching Excellence winners are producing Australia’s future tech workforce.
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Uber scraps $105m Aussie car-sharing division
Uber will shut down its Carshare business, bringing the end to an Australian experiment it began in 2022 with the $105 million acquisition of Car Next Door.
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.
Work & Careers
Melbourne AFL club defeats court bid to pry open ‘oppressive’ board
Businessman Peter Lawrence lost his case against the Demons’ identity-stacked board, but won concessions including the release of details of its 70,000 members.
Clayton Utz raids MinterEllison office
Clayton Utz has hired four partners from rival MinterEllison as part of a push to bolster its Canberra office and win more government legal advisory work.
Life & Luxury
This off-grid Himalayan walk will re-boot you from $1225 a day
Crawling not running towards the end of the year? Book this six-day trek in remote north-eastern India for a reality check, and a nature-fuelled recharge.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- Motoring
Father’s Day is looming, so here’s how to get his motor running
From dream cars to affordable adventure motorbikes, and a cool place for tools. This list screams: Gentlemen, start your engines.
The latest trend to improve your sleep
There’s a growing buzz about a rainbow of soothing sounds and their theoretical effects on concentration and the relaxation response.
The retro game that has this company boss hooked
Easy to understand but difficult to master, Rummikub is more than just a game for Sarah Harris Gould, co-founder of Harris Tapper.
So you think you know your Panerai?
Visitors to the About Time Watch Weekend in Sydney and Melbourne are in for a surprise.
