Insights

Coal has several alternative futures. Will the industry win, and find more environmentally acceptable ways to use coal? Or will politicians, and investors, drive a different path?

The Australian dollar bounced in defiance of the Reserve Bank's minutes, while global stocks slipped ahead of Ben Bernanke's speech.

US stocks trade mixed but mostly lower as investors digest meaning of recent highs.

Local currency pushes higher after Chinese central bank comments.

Local market expected to begin weaker following falls on global bourses.

Local market expected to begin weaker following falls on global bourses.

Tony Abbott 'regrets President Yudhoyono's embarrassment' but won't apologise for any eavesdropping. It's making for an awkward stand-off and the relationship is being badly strained.

The market tips escalating bids for CPA, while a surprise partial float of Murray Goulburn adds another twist to the milk wars.

As margins from its TV business shrink, Nine has an opportunity - if it moves quickly - to secure a live entertainment business unmatched in Australia and difficult to duplicate.

Scribes are surprised by a smart CPA bid from GPT, and one notes it's a departure from Michael Cameron's easy-does-it approach.

And so ends a useless waste of taxpayers' money - the five-month investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into the alleged attempt by Crown Casino's James Packer to collude with Echo chairman John O'Neill to carve up the Sydney and Brisbane casino markets. The ACCC has dropped its crusade to establish whether, while on his boat, Packer pitched a deal to O'Neill: if Echo Entertainment agreed to share the Sydney market, Crown would not contest the Brisbane market.

Former Babcock & Brown chief executive Phil Green and other executives of the failed merchant bank breached corporate law by putting the company's desire for millions in fees ahead of the interests of investors, a court has heard.

Chinese demand for Australia's natural resources may prove to be stronger than currently believed, according to BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie.

Boling misses mark on shares

Alan Joyce says Qantas is subject to a "unique set of limitations" as it battles a competitor that has three rival airlines on board as shareholders and potential discount-war underwriters.

The Reserve Bank is keeping a close watch on the housing market, as it signalled a willingness to sit on the sidelines while previous interest rate cuts continue to stimulate the economy.