Insights

Local currency holds well below US92c as traders sell currency to take profits.

WCB shareholders hit back at their board's apparent Saputo favouritism, while UBS is also a winner in Ansell's latest acquisition.

Stocks rise as housing sector data helps overcome data showing weakened US consumer confidence.

China's 'new magnificent revolution' will usher in a larger private sector and sweeping financial reforms. It will strengthen the economy, while cementing the state's hold on power.

Whether in matters of spying or racial discrimination, the boundaries of free speech cannot be curtailed without problem.

Jotters laud Ansell's big US acquisition, but one asks whether the asset's previous private equity owners might have stripped out some value.

Retail landlords are facing bleak prospects as weak retail sales bite into demand for space and put pressure on rents, lease conditions and vacancy rates.

The group behind Melbourne's hip Art Series Hotels is expected to join an expanding list of upmarket brands hoping to run hotels in two iconic Sydney CBD sandstone buildings being offloaded by the NSW government.

Hundreds of directors sitting on more than 50 of the country's superannuation funds could find themselves out on their ears if proposals canvassed in a soon-to-be-released Treasury discussion paper are adopted.

Building products group Brickworks has avoided a "first strike" vote against its remuneration report by a whisker, telling shareholders it would review aspects of its incentive scheme and performance hurdles.

Woolworths chief executive Grant O'Brien has joined with Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder in urging rivals Aldi, Costco and IGA to sign the landmark grocery code of conduct with suppliers.

The struggling Gove alumina refinery is a step closer to shutting down after owner Rio Tinto confirmed it would abandon long-running efforts to convert it to a cheaper form of energy.

New details have emerged about the close links between troubled health insurance comparison site, iSelect, and Australia's newest health insurer, health.com.au.

The sharemarket closed flat with gains in bank stocks - which rose after international ratings agency Moody's endorsed Australian banks - offset by falls in mining stocks.

In the world of mergers and acquisitions there are deals that go easy and deals that go hard, and the amount of dollars involved is not a decisive factor, as the three-pronged battle for control of Warrnambool Cheese & Butter shows.

Celebrate in style without the financial hangover, writes Penny Pryor.