Insights

Politicians and power suppliers need to shake-up energy markets to let consumer choice once more drive the electricity business.

Glencore's appetite for iron ore has reportedly led it to seek out Cliffs Natural Resources, while Westpac's Hastings Funds Management snaps up rail assets in the UK.

Australian shares are set for a weak start following big falls in US & European markets.

New modelling is a reminder of just which Australians will bear the pain of the 2014 budget. It may also intensify opposition to the Abbott government's plans.

The next stage in the Australian retailing revolution will be more dramatic than anything we have seen so far.

The size and diversity of the Melbourne office market makes it a favourable investment destination. This view is supported by recent property market reports from a number of respected real estate organisations.

Selling on international markets sets the scene for another bleak opening on the Australian market. By Friday's close, the ASX 200 was down 8.7% from its late August peak. With selling momentum clearly the order of the day, investors are trying to decide if the conditions are right for a major downward move in world stock markets.

With a promising set of drugs in late-stage clinical trials to treat cancer, Celldex Therapeutics could become the next successful biotech in the US.

Australian dollar pessimists underestimate the strength of the global economy, which should drive a substantial lift in the local currency.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler uncovers a family recipe for green goo and Gottliebsen sees the writing on the wall for negative gearing.

China will release key trade and inflation data early in the week, while investors will have a chance to drill down into the ABS's questionable jobs data when more detailed numbers are released mid-week.

The excruciating complexity of the Telstra-NBN picture means it is still haunted by uncertain economics. Tax payers should be nervous.

It's concerning that the ABS should be chastised for perceived incompetence, when much of the controversy is down to the misinterpretation of the underlying data.

The ECB once said it would 'do whatever it takes' to buoy the eurozone. So why is its president spreading gloom?

With half of mortgage lending now going to investors, the RBA is right to be worried.

We are about to cross the point of no return when it comes mandatory data retention. The public and the telecom industry are justifiably concerned about the Coalition's haste to enshrine ill-conceived legislation.