Insights

Retail data should give cause for cautious optimism about the US economy, but the Republicans' plan to scrap unemployment insurance lacks intellectual rigour and could prove devastating.

Five months after Steve Ballmer announced his plans to retire, Microsoft has yet to choose a new chief executive. Boardroom interference may make candidates wary of taking the top job.

Wall Street bounced back on solid retail spending figures, while growing regulatory interest in commodities softened prices for oil, gold and copper.

Strong data, earnings reports help US stocks erase most of Monday's losses.

China's fear of liberalisation of its currency is a sign of its immense economic vulnerabilities. Genuine liberalisation of the renminbi is not imminent because the conditions that have prevented it have not changed.

Rumours persist about the potential float of Qantas Airways' frequent flyer division despite concerns over its value, while ANZ keeps its eyes open for acquisitions in Asia.

Local market follows weak Wall St leads on fresh tapering jitters, investors await US retail sales data, sentiment slips.

Real estate classified group buys application service 1Form for $15m.

New Zealand dairy group recalls cream after new contamination worries.

CEO Mike Smith also mulls selling stake in Chinese, Malaysian banks: report.

Petroleum giant will supply up to 1.5m tonnes of LNG to Chubu Electric.

Miner acquires $1.32 billion worth of shares under a rights offering.

Group won't increase takeover bid, returns focus to strategic priorities.

Local currency holds above 90 US cents, still boosted by poor US jobs data.

Acting Vic premier Peter Ryan says granting a 99-year licence to Crown is a 'big call'.

New Zealand is set to be one of the strongest performing economies in 2014, largely as a result of China's growing taste for dairy. Australia's export and tourism industries could see a welcome boost as a result.