Insights

BHP blames inability to finish exploration for giving up on projects.

Former execs allege internal tensions, Hochtief uncertainty hurt governance.

Mining giant signs global back-office outsourcing contract with IBM.

Markets were largely flat as investors awaited the US payrolls report, which will fuel taper speculation.

Local market expected to make modest early gains as global bourses await US jobs data.

Local currency retreats slightly but remains near four-month high.

Investors digest fresh round of earnings, look ahead to US data reports delayed by govt shutdown.

TPG looks a likely suitor for AAPT, while investors bet the WCB bidding war has a long way to go.

Australia can be the major player in international dairy. If Murray Goulburn can acquire Warrnambool and keep Canada out, it will be able to match the mighty New Zealand.

This stock market recovery is based on sounder fundamentals than the 2007 peaks. But it has a long way to run, and by the end of 2014 a 10 per cent rise could be on the cards.

The NSW premier's decision to play politics with both sides of the gas debate won't get him very far - especially now federal industry minister Ian Macfarlane is stepping in.

Paul Zahra's decision to leave David Jones has jotters scratching their heads.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will speed up the rate of change over the payments system if a proposal goes ahead to establish a new co-ordination body for the industry.

Bankers sweep into Broome

Struggling smartphone maker BlackBerry says its latest device, the Z30, will be in stock from the end of October. To cost about $749, it comes with the latest operating system, 10.2, a five-inch screen, better antenna to improve reception in low-signal areas, and longer battery life — up to 25 hours on one charge.

Australia ranked 50th in the world in terms of broadband connectivity (above 4Mbps) last quarter, down six positions from the previous quarter. But broadband accounted for 41 per cent of connections - a 25 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter, according to Akamai Technologies' State of the Internet report out last week.