Insights

It means nothing for the Coalition to say that it supports growth while failing dismally at the task of creating a coherent economic policy. Here's hoping the government injects some common sense into the budget.

China's shift in energy generation is bad news for our coal exports, but a whole new relationship is set to develop if Australia is prepared to embrace the new paradigms.

The local market is tipped to open slightly higher despite neutral overseas leads, while earnings season moves up a gear.

Hoyts may be on its way to ASX boards as Pacific Equity Partners mulls another IPO, while BHP keeps the market guessing about exactly which assets will be hived off in its demerger.

The market is worried Deutsche Bank could soon run into difficulties, and that may mean dramatic ripple effects in the eurozone and broader global economy.

Surviving in the digital era means companies need to toughen up and use tech techniques for business transformation.

The US IT group is now a major player in the "Big Data" space - an area that presents huge growth opportunities for those that can harness its potential.

The internet might be hurting bookshops but they're not ready to become a bookmark in history just yet.

As consumer confidence improves, and with rates set to be on hold for the next 12 months, investor-driven housing activity is likely to gain momentum well into 2015.

Canberra's approach to shepherding unemployed youth into work or study faces a challenge in ensuring government subsidies won't be rorted.

Call the bonds Class R -- for reorganisation. Owners might take a haircut, but they'd also become owners of the bank.

As US inflation and unemployment edge closer to the Federal Reserve's targets, it will be more difficult for Janet Yellen to suppress interest rate volatility and keep markets stable.

Earnings season is in full flight, with results expected from the likes of Woodside, BHP Billiton, Seek Limited and Wesfarmers, while a flurry of top shelf indicators will be released in the US.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler keeps an eye on Treasury Wine, Bartholomeusz looks at CBA's earnings report and Burgess tackles the hypocrisy surrounding politicians' wealth.

BHP'S declared preference for a demerger follows its failure to find a buyer for its Nickel West operation for the asking price of up to $1bn.

A BHP Billiton demerger will see the company refocus its energy on its highest-returning assets while hiving off its non-core investments, but one set of shareholders may have to be compensated.