Insights

US stocks boosted by upbeat Chinese data, upbeat earnings as S&P gains for sixth time in seven sessions.

Jotters wonder if Wesfarmers' disappointing results point to a problem at the top with one arguing the proof will be in the Christmas sales pudding.

An American upstart is taking a huge leap in the stagnant world of data collection. Making economic indicators available every hour, rather than every quarter will change how markets work.

Positive results from big US firms helped boost global equities while the market is shrugging off Chinese banking fears.

Canadian suitor Saputo is expected to make a renewed bid for Warrnambool Cheese while credit checking group Veda eyes an IPO.

Handing $8.8 billion to boost the RBA's coffers will cost taxpayers $350 million a year in interest. It is completely unnecessary.

The $16 billion pharmaceutical industry has been protected from supermarket competition but that may change in 2015. Woolworths sees a big opportunity.

Under the stewardship of Richard Goyder, Wesfarmers has staged a textbook turnaround in most of its retail business over the past five years, but the conglomerate's engine room, Coles, is reaching a point where the serious improvements are a thing of the past.

The level of investment among Australia's non-mining businesses is at its lowest since the 1990s recession because the global financial crisis has made many executives reluctant to take risks, the Reserve Bank says.

Predictions of an election-led recovery in the consumer sector have failed to materialise, according to two of Australia's biggest retail names.

Chinese telecoms company Huawei is set to become a pawn in the controversial free trade agreement (FTA) review between China and Australia.

Is winter coming for ANZ? First of all credit where credit is due. The quote came from a rival publication owned by Rupert Murdoch, but the image it conjured up had CBD's artist in a frenzy. After brokerage JPMorgan this week offered some critical analysis of ANZ's long march into Asia, Lord Mike Smith of Docklands responded by reaching for his trusty blade. "This is a long game; it's like the Game of Thrones. We're in book one at the moment and we've got some way to go," Lord Smith told Mr Murdoch's scribe. Still, as Lord Smith well knows, seizing the Throne of Swords can be a dangerous move after many ended up on the wrong end of the sword.

Newcrest Mining has indicated it is preparing for further gold price declines which could lead to further asset write-downs. At the same time, a low gold price could open the door for Newcrest to buy assets on the cheap.

Medibank Private could emerge as a takeover target, particularly for an overseas insurer, once listed on the sharemarket, says rival health insurer NIB.

Smith sharpens blade on critics I

Under the stewardship of Richard Goyder, Wesfarmers has staged a textbook turnaround in most of its retail business over the past five years, but the conglomerate's engine room, Coles, is reaching a point where the serious improvements are a thing of the past.