Insights

The Federal Reserve's decision to taper should see the Australian dollar track lower, helping to boost competitiveness at a time when exports are set to be a key driver of economic growth.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has opened its third parcel of 'land' off the US coast, with Maryland set to play its part in the global wind race.

To shore up the budget, Joe Hockey should take a close look at super tax concessions, which undermine our tax system. But stemming this massive leak will require strong political will.

Meeting with unions fails to shed light on departments hardest hit by job cuts.

Local currency touches 3-year low following volatile trade on Fed announcement.

Tapering may have lifted US stocks but the Federal Reserve will still pump $75 billion into the economy each month.

Markets have cheered the Fed's taper decision, but dangers lie ahead. Investment banks will have to stop gambling with cheap money, which is bad news for emerging markets but good news for the US economy.

Bega backs away from its WCB bid clearing the path for Canadian suitor Saputo, while Dexus Property Group lands CBA's offices contract.

Investors respond positively to statement despite news of taper.

Australia's business community is waking up to the wealth of opportunities provided by our Asian neighbours. But flexibility and patience will be key to satisfying Asia's growing demand for Australian goods.

The prospects of NuCoal retaining control of controversial coal acreage in the Hunter Valley are receding, following a call by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption for the state government to cancel the licences.

Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron and Wotif founder Graeme Wood might want to consider an exorcism of the Tassie wood chip mill they bought in 2011 from collapsed timber giant Gunns.

ANZ chief Mike Smith is not shy when it comes to voicing his defensive frustration about non-believers of the bank's Asian strategy, or even those that raise legitimate questions around returns or some parts of the execution.

Australian engineering outfit AJ Lucas may be a big beneficiary of UK government plans to accelerate development of its shale oil and gas. A government report has found that more than half the country could be suitable for shale gas fracking. AJ Lucas has extensive exploration acreage in the UK, as does Dart Energy. Shares in AJ Lucas closed up 4¢ at 98¢.

A legal stoush between the Future Fund and AustralianSuper has been adjourned for three months. The Victorian Supreme Court battle centres on the price the Future Fund paid for a stake in Perth Airport. AustralianSuper, also an investor, claims the Future Fund priced it out of expanding its holding in the airport by ascribing a premium of up to 43 per cent of the asset.

Bega Cheese began the battle for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter but three months on it appears to be the first casualty of the bidding war.