Insights

A strengthening global economy and rising commodity prices suggest a return to surplus could come sooner than expected. But monetary tightening will be essential to stave off an inflation spike.

Since the 1970s, it's almost always been global debt - not any government's policies - that determines Australia's performance. And as the Liberal Party takes the reins, luck's not on Australia's side.

If they can make it there, BHP Billiton can make it anywhere.

The kick-up in the sharemarket on Monday has been mischaracterised as a post-election boost and an endorsement of the Coalition.

Investors are starting to position themselves for a return of business confidence after the Coalition swept into power at the weekend.

To hear the leaders talk you would think Labor and the Coalition were miles apart. One created a "budget emergency", the other a "$70 billion black hole". But the credit rating agencies don't believe a word of it.

The incoming communications minister is expected to order multiple reviews of NBN Co and issue new instructions to the company next week - and will soon start renegotiating a deal with Telstra that has been described as one of the most complex in Australian corporate history.

Analysts say the outcome in the takeover battle for small-cap financial services company Trust Co remains uncertain, despite it backing a sweetened bid from wealth management company Perpetual.

Incoming prime minister Tony Abbott's pledge to be remembered as the infrastructure PM who raised productivity by cutting red and green tape and eliminating pork-barrelling will do wonders for the nation - if he can pull it off.

Single-cell nerds spur web scorn

The takeover battle for the rump of mortgage lender RAMS, now known as RHG, has sprung back to life with a new offer from Pepper Australia.

Trouble-prone gold producer Newcrest Mining has joined the trend for lower executive pay, with chief executive Greg Robinson receiving a smaller remuneration package in the 2013 financial year.

Vodafone Australia customers are set to benefit from a $US130 billion ($141 billion) deal between US-based Verizon and the British Vodafone Group as proceeds of the deal start to flow to operations around the globe.

Look out, lawyers, the days of charging $500 an hour are numbered, as digital disruption cuts a swath through the oldest and most conservative of professions and up-ends traditional legal services.

Robots and business executives are marching towards a new frontier in employee outsourcing, as algorithms replace technical support staff who perform repetitive tasks.

To hear the leaders talk you would think Labor and the Coalition were miles apart. One created a "budget emergency", the other a "$70 billion black hole". But the credit rating agencies don't believe a word of it.