Insights

Shares in food products group Goodman Fielder fell sharply as it warned of a downturn in December-half earnings, which prompted concerns whether it can stave off a full-year decline.

A few years back, the corporate regulators did the fund managers a big favour.

The Australian dollar is at a near three-month low amid "jawboning" from the Reserve Bank governor and expectations that the US Federal Reserve will soon begin tapering its stimulus program.

Currency traders were right to trim the value of the Australian dollar on comments by Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens that the central bank still thinks the Australian dollar is too high, and remains "open-minded" about intervening in the markets to try to push it down.

One of Charlie's colleagues used to be fond of saying "Just between you, me and the gatepost ..." as he passed on another secret that he should have been keeping. Finally an exasperated Charlie said, "If it's a secret, then I don't want to know." To which the colleague replied: "No, no, but I want to tell you."

Australia and the world are experiencing a Micawber moment. The economic prospects aren't reassuring, but there's not a lot we can do except hope something will turn up. Wherever you turn, the outlook is for continuing sub-par growth.

Young electronics engineer seizes value from prized NASA internship, David Wilson writes.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a 2-month low after Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens ramped up his comments about the need for a lower currency, saying he was "open-minded" about intervening in the foreign exchange markets.

Investment in the hotel sector is tipped to breach the $2 billion level in the coming few months as buyers get a foothold before the next growth phase.

What a brilliant city Sydney is and how fortunate we are to live here. As a migrant arriving 17 years ago, I was struck by its obvious natural beauty, as well as its cosmopolitan and sophisticated nature.

Demand for industrial property is set to escalate as the underlying manufacturing sector moves from its current low base.

With only four weeks until Christmas Day, landlords and tenants are expecting a rise in sales, albeit off a low base.

TMS heads to Gore Hill

SYDNEY $7.95 m

It's game on. The floodgates have opened to let through a new surge of mergers and acquisitions among the real estate investment trusts.

The South Sydney market remains in high demand from a range of tenants from fashion to food. Agents say the conversion of older assets into residential, has seen rents rise for the scarce commercial properties.