Insights

The stock market looks set for a nervous open this morning as investors react to lower commodity prices and keep a watching brief on rising bond yields.

ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft's suggestion that Sydney and Melbourne house prices are in...

Global bond yields continue to rise against a backdrop of rising US interest rates and a looming Greek tragedy. The adjustment to a post QE world is draining enthusiasm for shares, as Europe's 1% gains faded during US trading. Although futures markets are pointing to gains for Asia Pacific shares at the opening, the green may turn to red over the local session, especially if yesterday's heavy, ex-dividend selling of banks returns.

The recent rise in the value of our local currency may herald a more sustained recovery.

We upgrade our recommendation on the panel beating business following its latest acquisition.

Ten of the most interesting and disruptive companies you can't invest in (yet).

This week we look at Qantas, Incitec Pivot, Macquarie Group, CSR and Orica.

One retailer is best positioned to reap the benefits of the federal government's proposed changes.

The price of beef has recently risen significantly. Steve Johnson takes a look at why AACo, Australia's largest beef producer, is still loosing money.

The Australian share market sold off after the open, driven by selling in financial and discretionary stocks. ANZ traded down 2 percent while NAB and WBC are hitting lows not seen since January this year. The sector has come under a pressure lately as policy reform and an overheating property market are posing a risk on the outlook on the sector.

Investors are likely to start the week in cautious mode as markets assimilate the impact of weaker than expected US data and wait on developments in the Greek debt saga.

A surge in European shares and US markets returning to all-time highs pushed Australian stocks sharply higher this morning. However, the Australia 200 index failed just below the important 5750 level, sparking a slide and increasing the likelihood of further selling this afternoon.

Australian stocks broke a two session winning streak on Thursday to settle around a 40 point loss across the session. The Federal budget was set aside to marinate after Wednesday's knee-jerk trading. Retailers such as Myer and Harvey Norman fell victim to profit taking along with the four major banks.

Twenty four hours of weak economic news around the globe puts Asia Pacific investors in two minds today. Further weakening in China and Europe could bring on stimulus efforts, and weakness in the US defers Fed tightening. However, an ongoing sell off in global bond markets suggests investors are looking through the worse than forecast numbers and taking a bad news is bad news approach.

An energised small business sector and a tech-savvy banking industry promise major change.

The share market has historically performed much better in some parts of the year than others.