Insights

ANZ's Asian push has been given more drive, with the bank appointing Future Fund boss David Gonski as its chairman while moving to assure shareholders that the regional strategy was key to driving investor returns.

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.

Chips are down for the millers

Gina Rinehart might have been missing in action at the Ten Network annual meeting on Wednesday, but she is believed to be at the pointy end of reaching a settlement with her two estranged children - or face the prospect of being cross-examined in the courts next year.

Investors stayed on the sidelines on Wednesday on the eve of a decision from the US Federal Reserve on whether to begin tapering its monetary stimulus program.

Wotif chief executive Scott Blume has refused to veer from his strategy to expand exposure to other travel segments and increase spending on marketing and IT to fend off competitors, despite investors wiping $282 million from its market value following a profit warning.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has made clear to unions that the airline must lower its costs substantially to make it competitive against Virgin Australia but has remained steadfast in his strategy in the domestic market.

The underwhelming sharemarket debut of packaging company Pact Group Holdings has weighed on the demerger of Amcor and its $2 billion Australasian packaging and distribution business Orora.

The Reserve Bank is keeping the door open to further interest rate cuts, but believes the "significant amount" of monetary policy easing over the past two years is already stimulating growth.

A persistently high Australian dollar is thwarting the Reserve Bank's efforts to ease the transition of the economy away from mining.

The appointment of the multi-skilled and experienced David Gonski as chairman of ANZ will ensure the bank's strategy for Asian expansion is in safe hands.

Local market little changed as investors wait to hear if Fed will taper tomorrow.

The year ahead will be testing for Australian investors on multiple levels … and here are 10 key areas to watch.

The small caps sector continues to lag the broader market, but see why 2014 will be their year.

The WA transport and logistics group is trucking ahead … and investors should get on-board.

This week we look at Brambles, OZ Minerals, TPG Telecom, Transfield Services and Echo Entertainment.

Finding the best life science or biotech companies is more about analysing human nature than science.