Insights

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has attempted to hose down suggestions former treasurer Peter Costello is being lined up as the next chairman of the Future Fund, declaring there is "no vacancy" for the $92 billion investment fund.

The sharemarket closed lower for a second straight day after investors took their cues from a late slide on Wall Street.

'There are plenty of opportunities for digital currencies.' Edward Lowery, Secret Service

GPT Group has opened the floodgates in the real estate investment trust sector by trumping its rivals with a surprise $4 billion offer for the Commonwealth Property Office Fund (CPA).

The GPT counter offer for Commonwealth Property Office has ignited talk of another round of mergers and acquisitions among real estate investment trusts, according to analysts.

Fairfax Media, has appointed Antony Catalano chief executive of its high-value classifieds real estate business Domain.

Several key luxury brands may abandon Melbourne's embattled Emporium development after high-end tenant Gucci ditched its new store in the flagship retail project in favour of expanding on Collins Street.

A Fitzroy barber's and menswear store is old-world cutting edge, writes Stephen Crafti.

Sales

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates men aged 65 now can expect to live 19 years more and women aged 65 a further 22 years. Over the past 10 years, life expectancy at birth has improved by 2.5 years for males and 1.7 years for females. Australians' life expectancy continues to be among the highest in the world. It is a little lower than the world leader, Japan, but higher than Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the United States.

While the record $3.9 million paid for Brett Whiteley's painting My Armchair dominated the Australian auction scene this month, the question remains, was it a good investment or not?

1.9 per cent

Food is replacing iron ore and coal as the boom commodity. The takeover battle for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has heated up to the point where it is hard to see the bids making economic sense.

Each week during the spring property season, Money's team of experts will come up with strategies for getting the best result before and after the hammer falls.

There are few clearer signs of Australia's patchy economy than the labour market.

Each week, financial adviser and international best-selling author Noel Whittaker answers your questions. noelwhit@gmail.com