Insights

Outgoing Elders chief executive Malcolm Jackman says his sudden exit from the troubled rural services group was not a "retirement", comments that appear at odds with a statement from the board.

ANZ plans to use voice recognition technology when authorising large cash transfers to external accounts via mobile banking, a move it says will enhance security.

Alumina chief John Bevan will step down at the end of December after more than five years with the company. He will be replaced by board member Peter Wasow. Mr Bevan faced a first strike against his $2.2 million pay packet in May after investors said the salary was too high for what some regarded as a "post office" company that merely collected dividends.

Raphael Geminder's packaging business, Pact Group, plans to raise $649 million under its initial public offering. In a prospectus lodged with ASIC, Pact will sell shares at $3.80 each. On listing, Mr Geminder will remain a key shareholder with a 40 per cent stake. Pact

Faced with deep-seated resistance to its planned $3.4 billion takeover of GrainCorp, US grains trader Archer Daniels Midland has upped the ante.

The powerful $1.75 trillion superannuation industry says it will continue to fight the federal government's plans to scrap payments to the super accounts of millions of low-paid people.

The sharemarket finished lower on Wednesday, with sharp losses among resource and energy stocks after a fall in commodity prices.

Increased investor optimism since the federal election has not been matched with earnings recovery, as the Australian sharemarket continues to look expensive.

Murray Goulburn is urging the Abbott government to halt Saputo's bid to control Warrnambool Cheese & Butter, saying the Canadian dairy company has "misinformed" shareholders.

Archer Daniels Midland wants to take everything but politics off the table as the deadline for a foreign investment decision on its $3.4 billion takeover offer for GrainCorp approaches, and it made a good fist of it on Wednesday.

Bank of Queensland has called on the government to consider whether Australia's big four banks are "too big to fail", as part of its inquiry into the financial system.

'Investment in the sector appears to have peaked.' BREE report

Treasury Wine Estates, the world's biggest winemaker, has sought an injunction in the Supreme Court of Victoria against lawyer turned class-action specialist Mark Elliott to stop him accessing its shareholder register.

Investment figures from the ABS show that engineering construction dominated in the September quarter, reflecting strength in the resource-rich states. Just how much more does the mining sector have to give?

There is a lot of fear around mining services … but some are still thriving.

This week we look at QBE Insurance, WorleyParsons, ALS, Westfield Group, and Amcor.