Insights

The Newman Government's latest Abbot Point plan, to make Queenslanders pay for dredged seabed to be dumped onshore, marks environmental progress - but it may not be the end of the battle.

With the carbon tax gone, the 'structural rebalancing' of - admittedly, excessive - hydro in favour of brown coal will equate to an extra 8 million tonnes of CO2 over the year.

As China's military might increases, the US and its Asian allies should consider forming a coalition to offset its growing dominance in the region.

The deteriorating situation in Ukraine could see Russia turn towards China for gas and minerals, which could have a dramatic effect on our currency.

David Gonski's comments that only a fool thinks house prices always go up add little to the broader discussion. The real issue is whether buying property enhances wealth.

If the Scottish Yes vote succeeds, there will be painful consequences for both sides should a currency-sharing agreement not be reached.

Simon Property Group has its eyes on CFS Retail, while Primary Health Care could also be a takeover target.

While political emotion and ideology is clouding the RET game, the renewables business needs to get on with setting a workable target to carry them through the next 15 years.

A series of unholy alliances are sweeping the IT industry and the need to make friends with enemies might be coming to your industry next.

European markets came under pressure on the prospect of Scotland splitting from Britain, while major currencies fell against the greenback.

Bandwidth demand forecasts need to be much more subtle than simply punting on past trends. A fact that some fibre-to-the-premises advocates have conveniently forgotten.

As global currents lift the US dollar, Federal Reserve speakers are fuelling -- rather than fighting -- the unit's strength.

The more you know about an investment's potential performance under a worst case scenario the more prepared you are both emotionally and financially to make good investment decisions. Preparedness includes correctly pricing for the long term as well as being ready to transact, by either buying more or selling, under adversity.

"The British East India Company's ships flew an ensign incorporating the Union Jack. Today corporate nationality is harder to determine." - The Economist May 2014. Australian companies are increasingly becoming more global. You can now give your portfolio this advantage.

Investing in this company not only grants the opportunity to capitalise on a turnaround in IT services, but also a fully-franked yield of 6%.

This week we look at Nine Entertainment, Qantas, Harvey Norman, Seek and Boart Longyear.