Insights

U.S. stocks rose on Friday, following better than expected corporate earnings from major players and found comfort in the view that geopolitical tensions in appeared contained.

The Reserve Bank needs a combination of jawboning and an easing bias to bring the dollar down, but the latter is unlikely anytime soon.

Traditional conservatism involved anxiety to protect the natural environment and preserve it for future generations. Tony Abbott's 'conservationism' may win votes, but it's quite a different ideology.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler looks at the retirement village industry, Gottliebsen weighs up the union inquiry and Bartholomeusz analyses the Murray financial inquiry's interim report.

A structural shift towards online booking platforms is threatening Flight Centre's core business. Its long-term sustainability will depend on its ability to adapt and execute its international growth strategy.

A BRICS development bank is unlikely to rival the clout of the World Bank and IMF, but it is a politically significant gesture that counters the Western dominance of international institutions.

Policymakers will keep a close eye on June quarter CPI figures at home, while 'flash' manufacturing gauges will be released in Europe, China and the US.

Credit Suisse's chief economist, Neal Soss, explores the significance of the conclusion of the Federal Reserve's quantitiatve easing program and the implications for global markets.

Local market rebounds after morning slump as investors watch Ukraine developments.

The Government is promising average households will save $200 per year on their power bill from repeal of the carbon tax. The reality is most households will see far lower savings.

The shooting down of a civilian jet over the Ukraine comes just as markets are poised to break out of a technical trading range which has dominated most of the year.

Despite Reserve Bank attempts to spook the housing market, conditions are very supportive of further strong gains.

Bank returns could be hit hard - and SMSF borrowing scrapped - if steps are taken to implement certain findings from the Murray inquiry's interim report.

Both the Australian Industry Group and the Business Council of Australia are now making sounds that we still need an emissions trading scheme. Meanwhile consumer savings from repealing the current carbon price are hard to pin down.

Australian banks' disproportionate exposure to home loans is a source of weakness for the sector, but any changes to the system must account for the trade-offs between risk, competitiveness and efficiency.

The Coalition's focus on increasing infrastructure spending is commendable, and will go some way in boosting productivity growth. But it must ensure it invests in the right projects.