Join investors and regulators as they take a deep dive into cryptocurrency and digital assets.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Coles, Woolies go ‘Down Down’ in the court that matters
The problem for the supermarkets is that no one was disputing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s facts on Monday.
It was cybersleuths who (allegedly) caught Woolies, Coles in the act
In the end, it wasn’t the government, or Treasury, or a parliamentary committee that caused the biggest headache for the country’s supermarket giants this year.
Only Labor can form majority government: Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stepped up his stability pitch to voters by disparaging the Greens as a party of extremists
Australia’s most powerful deal makers in 2024
If investors step up and hit the bid on those valuations, the market will see real momentum. If not, it will be the same painful conversation about dry powder next year.
Go long and let others take the risk: crypto fundies’ top strategies
Some of Australia’s best performing digital asset managers have told investors to ignore the noise when mulling a bet on cryptocurrencies.
Three-horse race at Queensland Airports; Dexus snags a wingman
Dexus has survived the loss of a bid partner while KKR’s dealmakers seem to have overcome last-minute doubts about lobbing a binding bid.
Apartments taking two-and-a-half years longer to deliver: Urbis
The forecast delay in supply comes as pressure is increasing on the federal government to navigate political opposition to key planks in its housing policy.
The best of travel, fashion, cars and more, straight to your inbox every Saturday.
The best of travel, fashion, cars and more, straight to your inbox every Saturday.
Companies
Tanarra Capital says at $835m the price is right for Healius
Shares in the pathology company jumped 7.5 per cent after it achieved a robust price for Lumus, which does MRI, X-rays and CT scans.
Telix on $1b spending spree to build US radiopharmacy network
The biotech is investing heavily in global networks that will enable it to control the supply and distribution of nuclear medicines used to treat cancer.
Webjet’s consumer business spirals as domestic demand softens
The newly demerged Webjet consumer-facing business was down during its trading debut as investors fret about the future of travel demand.
- Exclusive
- Franchising
‘Do not speak to the media’: BoQ’s threat to aggrieved branch owners
Bank of Queensland has warned members of its franchise network not to speak publicly about the corporate takeover or they will face “consequence management”.
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Hospitality empire on brink as Adelphi Hotel put in administration
Virtical group, which exploded on to the Sydney and Melbourne pub scene last year, has lost control of its two biggest assets.
Cheese and milk producer Beston goes bust as Japanese suitor walks
The company behind the Edwards Crossing Cheese Company and Mables brands has called in administrators, owing more than $55 million to National Australia Bank.
Fletcher warns of construction slump as it pursues $641m raising
The building materials giant says it expects volumes to slide by as much as 15 per cent this financial year, and the Auckland-based company will cut more costs.
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Markets
Bitcoin bros could swing US election: Scaramucci
The former communications director for the Trump presidency said 2 million voters could swing on the candidates’ differing digital asset policies.
China must ramp up housing rescue to boost growth, economists warn
Amid doubts over whether China can meet its lofty 5 per cent GDP target, analysts say Beijing needs “a complete change in mindset” to revive the property market.
Ophir’s prediction for the ASX’s next 10-bagger
Shares in a2 Milk, Afterpay and Northern Star earned the coveted status for Ophir and its co-founder Andrew Mitchell. He predicts Life360 will be next.
Coles, Woolies drag ASX lower ahead of RBA
ASX snaps winning streak. ACCC sues supermarket giants for misleading discounts; CBA, iron ore giants fall; Austal nabs US Navy deal; REA makes third bid for Britain’s Rightmove. Follow updates here.
ASX in the ‘dividend doldrums’ as boards hoard cash
The Australian sharemarket had one of the sharpest declines in payouts in the world in the second quarter and the outlook is not much better, investors warn.
Opinion
Did ‘illusory’ discounts from Coles, Woolies really mislead consumers?
The murky legal issue for the ACCC case against the big two supermarkets is what constitutes a “reasonable” period between a price increase and a subsequent promotional saving.
Consultant
Dutton’s nuclear folly is an economy wrecker
Under the Coalition, Australian manufacturing would face a decade of uncertainty and taxpayers would finance the renationalisation of electricity generation.
Former Labor minister and economist
China’s had deflation before. This is what it needs to do this time
Balance sheet issues were central to the contraction in previous deflationary episodes, and the resolution of these was key. Policymakers should focus on that.
Strategic thinker
Liberals desperately need to end the Pesutto-Deeming drama
A climb down by both sides in this libel case would better for the Victorian Liberals than a damning Federal Court judgment.
Policy consultant
Why it’s dangerous to ignore Kim Jong-un
As he watches the Americans spew vitriol at one another in the coming months, North Korea’s leader could decide that the US is distracted, and set his peninsula on fire.
Contributor
Suddenly the RBA seems very isolated
Australia’s central bank looks neither hawk nor dove on monetary policy. It seems more of a shag on a rock in a sea of interest rate cuts.
Economist
Reports
Executive Education - lifelong learning
This special report looks at lifelong learning, focusing on the impact and efficacy of leadership courses designed for top-tier managers and business leaders.
Politics
Rail loop is housing, not just infrastructure: Labor
Pollsters say the Victorian government’s more explicit linking of the Suburban Rail Loop to its tackling of the housing crisis is a savvy but overdue political move.
The unassuming senator with Labor’s fortunes on his shoulders
Queensland is at the centre of two crucial elections in the coming months, and the personable Murray Watt might be the bridge builder who helps tip things for the ALP.
‘Greens are out of control’: RBA reform dead as Labor rejects demands
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ plan to create a specialist monetary policy board at the Reserve Bank is dead after the government ruled out working with the Greens.
PM announces ‘exposure draft’ of grocery code
Anthony Albanese says major supermarket’s conduct is “completely unacceptable” if ACCC’s allegations are found true; Labor MP says he sees an opportunity in blockchain at AFR Crypto Summit. Follow live updates.
- Exclusive
- Aviation
Voters want more action to cut airfares, open to Qantas-Jetstar split
The results of The Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll will give succour to Coalition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie.
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World
Iran’s Guards ban communications devices after strike on Hezbollah
Iran is concerned about infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians on Israel’s payroll, and a thorough investigation of personnel has already begun.
Trying to make sense of the US election? Spare a thought for our diplomats
Australian policymakers have an apprehensive wait to see whether they will be dealing with a Trump or Harris administration.
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel, Hezbollah on the brink of war unless someone blinks
Almost a year after the October 7 terror attack, Israel’s real war might be about to begin, writes Andrew Tillett.
China stimulus hopes rise as PBoC cuts rate, flags briefing
The People’s Bank of China lowered the 14-day reverse repurchase rate, catching up with reductions initiated in July, and flagged further moves on Tuesday.
Israel urges civilians to flee Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon
The warning came shortly after Israel began what it said was a new round of “extensive strikes” across Lebanon – and suggested it was preparing another round of attacks.
Property
Where sellers scored a $600,000 profit flipping houses
Houses around the country sold within two to four years of purchase rewarded sellers with handy solid profits, according to CoreLogic.
Apartments taking two-and-a-half years longer to deliver: Urbis
The forecast delay in supply comes as pressure is increasing on the federal government to navigate political opposition to key planks in its housing policy.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Myer family’s Toorak mansion set to break $100m barrier
The Cranlana estate on Clendon Road, which the family has owned since 1921, is the first Melbourne home with a $100 million price tag.
Sell in the first two weeks, or wait? They sold, for $2.35m
There were many people looking, but few buying. When the vendor of this Sydney home secured two potential buyers, they acted. Quickly.
Buyer’s market appears to have arrived, but it may not last long
A deceased estate in Sydney that sold for $325,000 above reserve has bucked the trend of falling auction clearance rates as homes flood onto the market.
Wealth
Let others take the risk: crypto fundies’ top strategies
Some of Australia’s best performing digital asset managers have told investors to ignore the noise when mulling a bet on cryptocurrencies.
The $1 rule, and 43 other easy ways to be better with money
Not everything about money has to be hard. We asked experts for their top tips on how to be better at saving, budgeting and investing.
Three ways the ASX has changed and what investors can do next
Finding yield, good value and diversification on the ASX is getting harder. We asked experts what investors can do to overcome the challenges.
Technology
LinkedIn has (quietly) announced it scrapes your posts for AI
LinkedIn has quietly launched new policies outlining how it scrapes posts and personal data to train AI models. What you need to know (and how to turn it off).
They have 31m followers - but you’ve never heard of these YouTube superstars
Bounce Patrol has more followers than Beyonce, operates out of a quiet Melbourne street, and is helping YouTube transform from the home of DIY videos to a major TV broadcaster.
Microsoft’s climate hypocrisy on AI
The tech giant has marketed AI technology to ExxonMobil and Chevron as a powerful tool for finding and developing new oil and gas reserves.
Work & Careers
- Opinion
- Flexible working
WFH is hugely more productive than CEOs admit
Demands for workers to return to the office full-time have a rose-tinted view of in-person work.
$30k for honours degree makes switching careers an expensive choice
Older generations are being lumbered with more student debt and for longer as students try to negotiate an irrational and unfair system.
Life & Luxury
Kathy Lette on the ‘crime of menopause’
The London-based Australian author spends her working week writing about life’s challenges. But weekends are for crosswords, laughter, cocktails and theatre.
What happened to squash? This financial adviser says it serves him well
Ben Nash, founder of Pivot Wealth, finds playing competitive squash is a great way to get energised before the workday.
Do non-alcoholic beverages really limit your booze intake?
For some, consuming zero-alcohol products only sparks increased cravings for the real thing.
- Analysis
- Fitness
I used to joke about arthritic hips – until I got a pair myself
Losing hip mobility is no fun. It affects your every move, right down to putting on shoes and socks, and it threatened to separate me from one of my true loves – surfing.
Teenagers slam dancing to 1990s heroes Spiderbait? It happened here
The rock veterans from Finley, NSW still play like a band thirty years their junior - and attracted many fans that age to the Enmore Theatre on Saturday night.
From the gallery
The Australian Financial Review Magazine
Australia’s most powerful deal makers in 2024
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport