Insights

Toll Holdings has joined a growing list of companies revealing they are yet to experience a noticeable improvement in economic conditions despite a post-election lift in business confidence.

The worst NSW bushfires for several decades are unlikely to severely dent the profits of Suncorp, after it said claims from the disaster would not breach its reinsurance cover.

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

The sharemarket finished higher, driven by strong gains among the big banks, as the share price of Australia's biggest lender, Commonwealth Bank, surged to a record high.

Commonwealth Bank shares struck a new high on Thursday, after surging by a third in the past year. The stock closed at $75.58, up 97 cents, eclipsing the previous record of $75 set a few months ago. The bank's market capitalisation now stands at $121.8 billion. The shares were trading at $56 just a year ago.

Golden Circle will axe 123 positions from its Victorian juice plant and move the work to Queensland. The company said the decision to move production was taken to ensure it remains viable. Meanwhile, multinational vegetable processor Simplot announced its NSW and Tasmanian plants will stay open, but only for a guaranteed three years.

Pacific Brands has become an unlikely victim of the mining slowdown, with a fall in jobs in construction and resources leading to weaker sales of its workwear brands such as Hard Yakka.

The Reserve Bank has notched up its biggest profit in four years, making $4.3 billion in the year to June, thanks to the sharp fall in the Australian dollar.

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 start taking risks again, the Reserve Bank says.

A former Australian coal company executive has become the unlikely David to BHP Billiton's Goliath, taking on the mining company in London on Thursday with a bid to join its board on a platform of radical action against climate change.

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.

Toll Holdings has joined a growing list of companies to highlight that it is yet to experience a noticeable improvement in economic conditions.

Vintage cars can be a sound investment, but choose wisely, writes David Morley.

The worst NSW bushfires for several decades are unlikely to severely dent the profits of Suncorp, after it said claims from the disaster would not breach its reinsurance cover.

Commonwealth Bank shares struck a new high on Thursday, after surging by a third in the past year. The stock closed at $75.58, up 97 cents, eclipsing the previous record of $75 set a few months ago. The bank's market capitalisation now stands at $121.8 billion. The shares were trading at $56 just a year ago.