Insights

Low oil prices that remain stable are what drive increased demand for oil - and which in turn could then have a bigger role in emissions. But what would happen if the US lifted crude oil export restrictions?

Few countries have developed without an accessible resource base, like coal - and newly developing nations will need more incentive it they're to leapfrog the coal era.

What will it take to get Australians to take a punt on start-ups rather than horses?

All eyes will be on Deutsche Bank as analysts pour over the ECB's stress tests. Germany, and its largest bank, appear to have dodged a bullet.

Despite 'positive' results from the ECB's bank stress test, the region remains on the brink of its third recession in six years.

Bain Capital is on track to make a healthy profit if it goes ahead with the MYOB float, while QBE Insurance is considering listing its mortgage insurance division.

European shares eased on fears over bank stress test results, while Wall Street continued to be buoyed by strong corporate results.

The Future Fund's unique investing style has produced excellent returns. They should be made available to all investors.

"If you want to have a better performance than the crowd, you must do things differently from the crowd." Sir John Templeton.

"Every dollar the Chinese government invests creates two dollars in extra gross domestic product."

Many people think the Australian economy is going to go through really tough times. But how realistic is that view? There are in fact many reasons to conclude that the Australian economy is actually getting better, and that the prospects for an improved 2015 are becoming more convincing - the problem is, we are just not hearing about them.

Over the past nine trading sessions, the ASX 200 index has gained nearly 5% and looks likely to open higher this morning. The recovery continues to be supported by another good earnings season for US stocks.

Despite some significant changes in the Australian dollar and commodity prices, the Reserve Bank is likely to upgrade its growth forecasts.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler appraises Gough Whitlam's legacy and Gottliebsen glimpses the goddess of war on the ASX.

Local observers will keenly await comments on the housing market by the Reserve Bank's Luci Ellis, while attention abroad will turn to the Fed.

How Abbott is cutting more than red tape, two graphs on the NBN's growth challenges and why comparison sites are Medibank's next greatest threat.