Insights

Joe Hockey's verbal rampage against debt doesn't match Coalition's costings, which could risk a true budget emergency in the long term if downside economic threats materialise.

The end game to Air New Zealand's Virgin move is unclear, while Westfield's increased Perth shopping centre presence comes with conditions.

Jotters say Newcrest's internal investigation doesn't let it off the hook, while one has a budget warning for Tony Abbott.

With the US economy on the uptick, its chief executives are suggesting the post-GFC cash-hoarding mentality is on the wane and M&A activity stirring back to life.

Given foreign-owned companies accumulate 83 per cent of mining profits, a mining tax rethink should be at the forefront of both parties' hardline stance on foreign investment.

As we get closer to the federal election finish line and ponder what lies ahead for the NBN, it's easy to forget that there's a very different discussion underway about the virtues of fibre across the Pacific. The focus is no longer on the network but outcomes.

Cathay Pacific has launched a blistering attack against Jetstar Hong Kong's bid for the right to launch services from the Asian city, claiming Hong Kong risks "losing out".

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded its credit ratings for subordinated debt issued by Australia's big banks, as regulators toughen their stance on any future bailouts.

Telstra is to spend up to $50 million to create a "vibrant technology precinct" and upgrade its footprint at its Sydney headquarters at 400 George Street in the CBD. Taking up the challenge from Apple and Samsung, which have iconic stores nearby, Telstra will takeover the space occupied by the former Darrell Lea shop on the corner of King Street.

The Irish airline Ryanair, the budget carrier Europeans love to hate for its poor customer service and often extortionate "extra" costs, has issued a shock profit warning, sparking a share price plunge across Europe's airlines sector. Ryanair's shares fell 15 per cent after it said it could miss profit forecasts, blaming intense competition and falling airfares.

Australia's biggest independent wealth manager, Perpetual, has shaken up its senior equities investment team, with the veteran Charlie Lanchester to depart.

Dutch ado about mills on wheels

The health of Australia's investment industry has been put in the spotlight by Dr Maurice Newman's review of Newcrest Mining, with the former ASX boss describing the analyst community as short-staffed, inexperienced and slow to comprehend changes in the market.

Maurice Newman's report into whether Newcrest selectively briefed analysts before its announcement of multi-billion dollar write-downs on June 7 doesn't clear the company. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is investigating what happened, and will be judge.

The Tax Office is conducting a full-scale audit of investment bank Macquarie Group over its use of a controversial tax deduction related to offshore subsidiaries, a court has heard.

Newcrest Mining has been largely cleared of breaching market disclosure rules by an in-house review that has been described as restricted and lacking scope.