Insights

Cheaper natural gas is helping to make US manufacturing more competitive, but in other parts of the world gas prices are heading in the opposite direction.

Official data finds consumer energy expenditures are roughly 5 per cent of disposable income, just below the long-term average of 5.5 per cent.

Apparently we need to slash the RET to reduce power bills. That's what they also said about the repealing the carbon tax. So what do the latest inflation figures show we actually saved and can we trust them that this isn't just about helping out their corporate mates?

Claims that a writedown of NSW's power network businesses could deliver net benefits to current and future owners, as well as electricity consumers, is flawed on two fronts.

Off-grid systems will be increasingly affordable for average households - so if grid operators continue protectionist policies to block homes from exporting solar, it will just force more savvy PV owners to disconnect.

The draft carrier licence condition released by the government penalises the industry in favour of Telstra and NBN Co. With the fate of both entities closely intertwined Telstra's rivals are running out of options.

The government's plan to channel funds from the significant investor visa program into sectors that are hungry for capital is a smart move.

There's no technical limit preventing more than 20% renewable energy in a power system, with experts saying Australia could reach 90% renewable electricity by 2040 by natural attrition of existing fossil fuel power stations.

A major part of Shinzo Abe's economic growth strategy involves increasing the participation of women in the workforce. The first port of call should be to reform its outdated labour market practices.

Andrew Robb's new scheme simply asks migrants to make a real investment in Australia.

Red tape isn't the only thing Abbott is cutting, property clouds on the horizon says Macquarie and shoes that tone your legs while you walk? The ACCC says no.

A dovish Federal Reserve is unlikely to act prematurely on rates, and continued modest inflation is likely to delay a rate rise until there is sufficient wage growth.

Wall Street closed lower following news of a shooting at the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, while oil prices fell on a sharp lift in US crude stockpiles.

As smartphones morph into powerful, multi-function computers moving closer to the centre of our lives, the possibilities are limitless.

There's a war for design talent between technology and advertising companies, with tech quickly gaining ground.

Centerbridge Partners looks to have gained a majority stake in Boart Longyear, while The Carlyle Group reportedly drops out of the race for Orica's $1bn non-mining chemicals division.