Insights

The sharemarket gained some ground on Tuesday despite a worsening federal budget outlook, as investors focused on an improving global growth outlook.

Ten Network chief executive Hamish McLennan is being pressured to resign as chairman of real estate classified company REA Group, after REA announced the departure of its top two executives within weeks.

'Tis the season for resolutions and repositioning, and investors will be looking longingly into the crystal ball as trading begins to die down and investment bankers enjoy the holiday season.

Caution reigns at the RBA as economic uncertainty grows at home and abroad. The exchange rate, the US taper and the timing of the mining investment cliff will continue to weigh on its policy deliberations.

Deep cuts won't get Joe Hockey out of a budget hole. Today's MYEFO statement was designed to rebuild trust in economic management and get business to start investing and spending again.

Local market pares early gains after federal budget deficit widens as expected.

A weak yen is a boon for the Nikkei but forecasts for a softer Australian dollar are so far deterring international investors from the ASX.

The release of the government's mid-year budget numbers was missing something rather important - the funding for its signature climate policy, the Emission Reduction Fund. This was in addition to a range of other major cuts to climate programs.

As the Australian population ages, running up government deficits to support economic growth may become the norm. It would be a great shame if ideological fearmongering derailed the nation.

Our market is higher following strong international leads, with gains fairly evenly shared and consumer discretionary the only sector in the red.

DataRoom: Packaging group sheds 8% in opening minutes of high-volume trade.

To bring Europe back to life, its leaders must stop acting in their own short-term self-interest and make brave decisions on monetary and fiscal policy - even if it costs them votes at home.

DataRoom: Aust's largest real-estate IPO of year bucks trend of first-day rise.

Real estate classified company boss to stay in role until successor appointed.

The Insulation Royal Commission will cost $20m but the mistakes the Rudd Government made and the warnings they received are already well known. Why didn't they act on those warnings earlier?

Gas infrastructure business looks to take full control of Envestra with $2.2bn bid.