Insights

ANZ Bank chief executive Mike Smith has signalled the bank will not retreat from its aggressive push into Asia, saying this remains a critical part of the plan to lift shareholder returns.

A South Australian gold explorer hopes to find the precious metal in gum trees in a trial next year.

It's springtime, and corporate bookmakers are like the famous roses of Flemington Racecourse: in full bloom. It seems you can't turn on the TV or log on to the internet without running into some kind of promotion urging a punt.

Qantas is said to be on the cusp of pouring tens of millions of dollars into Jetstar Japan as it seeks to secure its position in the domestic Japanese market against other newcomers.

The sharemarket fell nearly half of 1 per cent as investors took profits after the recent record highs reached by three of the big four banks.

Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has effectively confirmed that Joe Hockey is blowing several hundred million dollars in an attempt to make his performance as Treasurer look good. Never underestimate the vanity of politicians.

The government has accelerated its inquiry into the car manufacturing industry in a last ditch bid to convince Holden to stay.

NIB's executives have defended the insurer's plans to cash in on medical tourism, which they said would help boost earnings as profit growth in the established domestic market slows.

Australia's suburbs and regions are the next growth sector for serviced apartments as the weight of offices and workers shifts to city fringes, the Quest group says.

Diversified trust Stockland says there are signs the residential sector, in which it operates, has turned the corner, but cautioned the business was trading off a low base.

A new wave of smaller Australian architecture practices are following the international footsteps of larger firms such as Woods Bagot and Hassell.

New leases signed across Sydney and Melbourne over the past few months, including by Telstra and Thiess, have crunched available office sublease space around the country.

The sale of hotel assets held by failed publican and investor Michael Reardon is continuing, with the North Fitzroy Arms expected to fetch about $1.9 million when it goes to auction on Wednesday.

If the banks can make record profits when they're having trouble lending, imagine how they'll go once the economy picks up. Between them they will have earned some $27 billion over the past year when NAB and Westpac report in the next few days.

Review of the rules could give investors more incentive, writes Nina Hendy.

Legislation is set to be a game changer for crowdfunding in Australia. SEE INSIDE