Insights

Shares in the hotly contested Warrnambool Cheese and Butter have fallen amid concern that a blocking stake by Lion could see Saputo retreat from its knock-out offer.

De Bortoli Wines, one of Australia's largest family-owned wine groups, has swung back into profitability after posting a $24.7 million loss last year.

Samsung has extended its lead over Apple in the smartphone market. The global market saw record sales in the third quarter, with 258.4 million units sold and growth of 38.8 per cent. Samsung shipped 81.2 million phones, lifting its market share to 31.4 per cent, while Apple sold 33.8 million iPhones, for a share of 13.1 per cent. Annual sales are expected to top 1 billion in 2014.

US computer giant Dell has completed a deal to go private in a $US24.9 billion buyout led by founder Michael Dell. The transaction takes Dell shares off the market, after a bitter fight with dissident shareholders led by billionaire Carl Icahn, who claimed the plan undervalued the world's former No.1 computer maker.

The sharemarket edged higher as investors expected the US Federal Reserve to maintain its economic stimulus measures.

The Australian dollar has eased to a two-week low as traders unwound their positions in the US currency ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting in which the central bank is expected to maintain its stimulus program.

The takeover battle for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has turned into a corporate Gordian knot, but the level of complexity is different depending on who is looking at it.

The sharemarket edged higher as investors expected the US Federal Reserve to maintain its economic stimulus measures.

The Australian dollar has eased to a two-week low as traders unwound their positions in the US currency ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting in which the central bank is expected to maintain its stimulus program.

Fees and charges levied by the corporate regulator have soared 7 per cent to $717 million, driven by revenue from the new National Business Names Register.

Spell cheques for Nicholls' dimes

Key investors in Treasury Wine Estates are believed to be preparing to crank up discussions with the board to offload the global wine giant's beleaguered US division before it becomes a drag on the Australian business.

Shares in the hotly contested dairy company Warrnambool Cheese and Butter have fallen amid concern a blocking stake by Lion could see Saputo retreat from its knock-out offer.

When it comes to dealing with potential misuse of market power by the big supermarkets, which is the best way forward - to prosecute, to negotiate or to legislate?

Law firm Maurice Blackburn is considering widening a class action against construction major Leighton Holdings to take into account shareholder losses as a result of recent claims over corruption inside the company.

Ousted Treasury Wine Estates boss David Dearie has dismissed allegations by his former chairman that he lacked sufficient operational skills to lead the winemaker, openly contradicting Paul Rayner's key message to the market last month for the former chief executive's ejection from the company.