Insights

2014 will see 130 of Europe's largest banks get a full stress test. The ECB desperately needs to solve the region's banking problem if it is to have any chance of dealing with confidence-destroying sovereign debt.

2013 was a banner year for tech upstarts like Twitter and Facebook but a horror year for traditional print publishers. And never underestimate the power of television.

Toll and Linfox are looking to challenge Australia Post's dominance in parcel delivery. The see growth moving from bricks to clicks.

There is a great chasm between China's modern leaders, who implicitly reject Maoism, and the nation's official history, which tends to remember Mao fondly. Bridging the gap would strengthen the Party's legitimacy with its people.

Alan Kohler's final column for the year was an open letter to Robert Gottliebsen. This is Robert's reply.

Precious metal falls for first time in 4 sessions, tumbles 28 per cent over 2013.

The homegrown investment bank beat UBS to claim the number one status as the country's leading IPO underwriter.

Mines regulator reprimands FMG following fatality at Christmas Creek.

Local bourse moves sideways in subdued final trading day of year but posts solid gains for 2013 overall.

While the strategic review showed the Coalition's NBN was in better shape than Labor's, new NBN Co management and a cost-benefit analysis may yet provide new recommendations on how best to proceed.

While Australia's worsening economic problems mean some election promises will be trimmed, Tony Abbott has no excuse when it comes to delivering his 12-point plan to help SMEs.

Details of Biz Stone's new social media venture, Jelly, may be thin on the ground but the app's focus on the nature of connectivity and its suite of high-profile backers have the pundits talking.

An investment drought and the high dollar have constrained non-mining capital expenditure. The desire for a weaker dollar and better global competitiveness will ensure low rates will continue in 2014.

Many have welcomed Bitcoin as a return to the gold standard. In truth it is an unwelcome return to Dutch tulip-mania.

Construction firm takes 100% ownership of Leighton Welspun.

Site not functioning since Boxing Day, group to extend sales: report.