Insights

This week's opening gambit from the Coalition on the RET is just the start of a fascinating battle over much loved and seemingly loathed renewable energy. In the end, states may have the last word.

US energy sector emissions increased slightly in 2013, highlighting the potential limitations of focusing on cutting electricity emissions without addressing broader energy consumption.

Strong markets abroad suggest Medibank Private's retail subscribers are likely to enjoy profits in the short term, but there are a few traps for the unwary.

The US and UK are relying disproportionately on employment growth to drive consumption, but it won't be sustainable in the long term.

Wall Street rallied on the back of strong corporate earnings, leading European markets higher, while oil rebounded on news that Saudi Arabia had cut production.

TPG Capital is thinking big with a reported play for UGL, while the sale of GE Capital's consumer lending arm may soon attract more smaller parties.

Companies that benefit from Australia's ageing population are popular with investors, but their underlying value should not be ignored.

China's lower GDP print taps into one of Australia's greatest national fears. But despair over the figures is misplaced.

Australian super funds are less than enamoured with the sector as project structure and transparency issues give them pause.

The differences between LICs and ETFs

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.