Insights

Chinese firms look to be on the hunt for Australian rail assets, while foreign players interested in NSW and Queensland's 'poles and wires' seek local partners to bolster their bids.

A robust US jobs report should help push the local sharemarket higher, while energy stocks will come under pressure from a lower oil price.

The US labour market is going from strength to strength and if wages continue to climb, expect the Fed to start hiking rates by mid next year -- or even earlier.

As the Financial System Inquiry seeks to build resilience in the banking sector, it is also recommending a number of measures that will enhance competition.

In spite of its treatment of the big four banks, the inquiry's conservatism suggests the financial system is already fairly robust.

The big banks don't have too much to fear from the Murray inquiry's recommendations, but super could be set for a shake-up.

The Reserve Bank has always stressed more rate cuts could come if necessary. If things keep going as they are now, we'll be there by February.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler dissects the Victorian election, Gottliebsen looks at the public service con and Bartholomeusz watches Ten's takeover dramas.

The Reserve Bank will be keeping a close watch on ABS labour data, while a raft of top shelf Chinese indicators will be of interest to investors abroad.

Britain should not follow France's lead and make a political target of corporations.

Oil, company profits, and an election that wasn't decided by the Twittersphere.

Thanks to Narendra Modi's hardline stance on corruption, investing in India is becoming more attractive to Australian investors.

The Coalition is keen to roll out its agenda for tax reform, but an angry electorate may be unlikely to warm to Joe Hockey's sales pitch.

Beijing to push ahead with development of nuclear power plants and Hukou reform gathers pace.

It's the single most important factor in improving living standards, but Australia's chronically poor productivity growth remains ignored by policymakers.

WATCH: Increasing demand from China is great news for Australian agriculture.