Insights

Strong online sales augur well for the US recovery, while domestic GDP figures and the Reserve Bank's cash rate decision could move markets at home.

The next big growth opportunity for Australia is agriculture and GrainCorp has the potential to be a national champion backed by Australian super investors, not rival American interests.

Joe Hockey's Archer Daniels Midland block may fuel further protectionist fire but Qantas is unlikely to get government support anytime soon.

As Labor looks to rebuild after a resounding defeat at the last election, its relationship with the union movement must be examined. Unions are already voting with their feet.

The Australian share market fell by 1.9% in November, its first fall in five months. For the financial year to date, the market has still risen by 10.8%. For the calendar year to date it is up by 14.4%. The US share market rose by 2.8% in the month, bringing its year-to-date change to 26.6%. Taking into account the fall in the $A so far this year, Australians invested in the US share market have experienced a gain of more than 44% so far this year!

Online US shopping for Black Friday deals rose to $US3 billion ($3.3 billion) during a two-day period beginning on Thursday, with tablets and mobile phones as top must-have items, estimates showed.

Ratings agency Moody's has upgraded Greece's credit rating, citing improved results in the country's economic adjustment program.

Mag queen on the outer at Seven?

Australia's last listed grains handler GrainCorp is not a protected species, despite the government's surprise decision to shield it from a $3.4 billion foreign takeover bid, farmers say.

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has described Treasurer Joe Hockey's controversial decision to ban the foreign takeover of GrainCorp as an "empowering act" that was necessary given the near monopoly status of the country's largest agribusiness.

Question: what do drop bears and the east-coast gas shortage have in common?

There's not going to be a near-term cut to interest rates and the chances of a reduction next year are slim as the non-mining parts of the economy are expected to pick up pace, economists say. A survey of 14 economists says the Reserve Bank of Australia will not cut the cash rate at its board meeting on Tuesday. Only eight of those surveyed expect a rate cut next year. The mining and resources investment boom is at, or near, its peak and other parts of the economy are expected to pick up pace and have a more significant role in driving the Australian economy. Citigroup said there was evidence the Australian economy was starting to rebalance, helped by recent rate cuts. Bank HSBC said a lower exchange rate would also help the economy. There was data showing domestic expenditure was slowly improving, it said.

Gold output in Australia, the world's second-biggest producer, expanded for a second quarter in the period ending in September because of higher ore grades, according to mining consultant Surbiton Associates.

Macquarie Group staff are exercising more options over the company's shares, after a recovery in global market confidence sparked a rapid run-up in its stock price.

One of the big two credit ratings agencies believes federal government backing for Qantas would be a positive for the airline's credit position but points out that the extent of the benefits will depend on how far the helping hand extends.

The country's largest private-hospital operator, Ramsay Health Care, will push ahead with its European expansion, paying $223 million for Medipsy, a French mental health clinic network.