Insights

A collapse in commodity prices in the previous session sparked a global sell-off of shares before rebounding, while major currencies strengthened against the greenback.

Ten Network has received only one low-ball bid, while a major investor in Nine Entertainment could soon offload a sizable stake in the media company.

A dramatic fall in bond rates and equity values and decline in commodity prices are signs of more tumultuous things to come for the Australian economy.

It's time for the ALP to speak up and come clean on their own fiscal agenda.

The economy is either going into a downturn or a decent upswing, and a policy response will be needed soon.

December 2014 could go down as a nasty moment in Australian finance. MYEFO will reveal a deteriorating budget deficit and the UNFCCC meeting in Lima, Peru will provide the agreement, to be ratified in Paris in 2015, on how much (or little) CO2 is to be allowed into the atmosphere from 2020.

The ASX200 is enjoying some relief after yesterday's rout, gaining 53 points in morning trade. Buying is heavily concentrated amongst materials and energy stocks, which is to be expected following the welcome bounce in commodity prices.

The latest consumer figures might paint a bleak picture, but they are misleading. Rather, the US is firing on all cylinders thanks to a myriad of factors.

Uncertainty over further cost blowouts and questions around continuous disclosure obligations are likely to hang over this engineering contractor.

The e-health company's outlook has been clouded by inconsistent messages from management over the latest contract with the South Australian government.

This week we look at Aristocrat Leisure, ALS, OzForex, Cardno and Toll Holdings.

Ian Morrice's ambitious revamp at Metcash is off to a slow start with the company today issuing a profit warning which sent its stock price plummeting.

A highly detailed report looking at a range of geographic locations, household types and 'gas vs electricity' price relativities finds bad news for gas utilities, with the fuel uneconomic versus efficient electric appliances in a wide range of scenarios.

If the Coalition is serious about cracking down on profit-shifting and tax avoidance, supporting a push for greater corporate transparency is a no-brainer.

The G20's stipulation of new and substantial capital requirements for large banks is a positive step, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of the global financial system.

Languages, the classics, Confucius: these and more are obviously important for understanding China. But to rely on these is to neglect the crucial factor of Marxism.