Insights

"Like Chicken Little, we can't know with any certainty what the greatest risk will be in the future. That suggests a broad hedge against risk is prudent - especially when it's inexpensive. Risk management is not just for chickens"

Marcus Burns, Senior Portfolio Manager, Australian Smaller Companies at Schroders, alert to recent irrationality in markets, outlines Schroders' approach to identifying value opportunities while surviving a market sell off.

NAB's new chief executive is not wasting any time when it comes to dealing with the land mines left behind by Cameron Clyne.

The IEA has found that energy consumption across the developed world was lower in 2011 than 10 years earlier - and the main reason wasn't the GFC, nor was it the offshoring industry.

The removal of seasonal factors in the labour data could be masking the true picture.

As the world starts to quantify the startling benefits of energy efficiency, the Napthine Government is using dubious logic to kill a Victorian scheme delivering a net $100m boost to the state's economy.

Microsoft Windows may have been the whipping boy for decades when it comes to vulnerabilities but cracks are starting to appear in Linux and OS X as well.

HTC, once the world's top smartphone maker by volume, is hoping that its waterproof action camera and software for taking photos might help revive its fortunes.

Local government debt is a growing problem in China, and working out how to cope with it is one of Beijing's biggest challenges.

China's coal consumption has recently decoupled from its economic growth. The net buildout of coal plants has dropped dramatically and planning rejections have been on the rise.

New research from UBS suggests the cost of gold plating Australian banks to prevent a 'too big to fail' scenario will likely hit consumers before it impacts investors. In this video interview, The Australian's Michael Bennet analyses the potential $3 billion dollar impact.

The unemployment rate in many countries remains excessively high, but fiscal policy combined with broader structural reforms could help support job creation.

The clock is ticking down to the end of year deadline Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has given for sign off on a free trade agreement with China. Will next month finally bring an end to the negotiations?

Part two of the solar story after rooftop residential will be micro-grids - already a $750m market in the US. And falling solar support Down Under will only bring it on faster.

Apple's phablet is a killer content consumption device but those expecting exciting new features in iOS 8 for the device will be left disappointed.

Appliance sales are set to soar on the building boom, but when it comes to selling into a cash-strapped market, it's going to be all about value.