Insights

The domestic focus will be on the release of the government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, while a slump on offshore markets sets a negative lead for the ASX.

Despite growth in its net profit in recent years, Westpac's return on equity has declined. Looking ahead, there are a number of risks to the downside.

Roughly one year ago, the consensus forecast for the end of 2014 was $100 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and $110 for Brent crude — a miss of about 30% compared with current prices around $70.

The world's largest online retailer is in a prime position to continue growing at a high rate, as long as it spends less on infrastructure and focuses more on its core business.

The new deal will see Telstra get the same $11bn as per the original 2011 agreement, while the telco will progressively transfer ownership of its copper and HFC networks to NBN Co.

It's curious the Governor has increased the barrier for a rate cut, while arguing for a lower Australian dollar as well.

Analysts are set to pore over the Reserve Bank board's minutes, while overseas the US Federal Reserve rate decision will be in focus.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler delves into the Murray report, Bartholomeusz analyses the severity of the commodities sell-off and Gottliebsen looks at the oil price slide.

With a clear victory in sight this weekend, Shinzo Abe will have no excuse not to push ahead with reforms.

The normalisation of US monetary policy is bound to cause market volatility, but there are ways for emerging economies to withstand the jitters.

Faced with slower income growth and skyrocketing house prices, many young Australians will have a lower standard of living than their parents.

Widening wealth inequality in Australia provides a compelling reason to consider implementing an inheritance tax.

Current financial and tax policy settings have channelled credit away from business towards property investment -- and the economy is struggling because of it.

Government spending still 2 trillion yuan short of 2015 target and land sales recover in major cities.

Leighton's sale of its John Holland construction division will streamline the company and could lead to it being re-made in the model of ACS and Hochtief.

Physics Nobel laureate Steven Chu has said Australian policymakers, by winding back carbon reduction policies, are actually going to make power more expensive. Is he nuts?