Insights

US stocks close higher as investors welcome hints from the US Federal Reserve that the recent lift in inflation will not push rate rises forward.

The Hazelwood coal mine fire inquiry exposed the near-inevitability of serious fire at the mine, and the gap in the government and corporate sector's appreciation for the real cost of coal.

Companies feed analysts their profit predictions through winks, nods and code words in a broken system that leaves small investors behind. Company directors to be clearer with the broader market.

Quality and safety standards for rooftop solar are required under the Renewable Energy Target, and have helped build a sophisticated industry. But the RET review could strip away these requirements.

The recent surge in US inflation may push higher in coming months as the outlook for jobs strengthens, but the Fed won't need to act until there is sufficient wage growth.

The Federal Reserve trimmed its monthly bond purchases by a further $US10 billion as it downgraded its growth forecast for 2014, while the Australian dollar jumped back above US94c.

China's own payment card company has emerged as a serious challenger to Visa and Mastercard. Australian businesses can't afford to be without it.

Baosteel and Aurizon's joint bid for Aquila looks set to win out as Mineral Resources retreats, while Solomon Lew's DJs share grows more intimidating by the day.

Thanks to the ECB's peculiar system of governance, eurozone monetary policy will soon no longer require approval of all member states.

The mobile phones store operator is improving earnings, and has an attractive dividend yield.

This week we look at Downer EDI, Flight Centre, UGL, Super Retail Group and Echo Entertainment.

Of Australia's highest-yielding listed property trusts, few meet the mark in terms of low gearing, low premium to net tangible assets, and sustainable payout ratios.

Local market falls slightly ahead of tonight's US Federal Reserve meeting.

Valuation variations, removing franking credits, ethical investing, LNG, and retail investors missing out.

Tony Poli and his fellow directors may have preferred to retain control of Aquila, but the West Pilbara project could not be developed without deep-pocketed financiers like Baosteel.

Gold miner, corporate watchdog reach settlement following investigation.