Insights

National Australia Bank chief Cameron Clyne is increasingly confident the lender can deliver a long-awaited lift in performance over the coming year, amid signs its troubled British arm is finally on the mend.

Black October was anything but for Australian investors, as broad gains, fuelled by speculation that the US Federal Reserve would continue printing money, pushed the local market to five-year highs.

Tatts reported strong growth in earnings on Thursday but flagged its wagering business would need further investment as competition with corporate bookmakers intensifies.

Qantas has confirmed that it will inject another $60 million into Jetstar Japan as a weaker yen pushes up the budget airline's fuel bill and its plans to establish a second base are delayed.

Mining juggernaut Newcrest nearly saw off a pesky legal challenge to its flagship Cadia operations on Wednesday when the NSW government tried to whisk through retrospective legislation late in the evening.

Watchdog keeps eye on pennies

The Senate inquiry into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission will conclude that ASIC needs to be a more proactive and effective corporate law enforcer, and the recommendations ASIC put to it on Thursday will nudge it in that direction if they are adopted.

Woolworths boss Grant O'Brien has welcomed the end to the year-long political campaign in the lead-up to the federal election, saying it should eventually feed into higher consumer confidence, but the retailer has not seen a sizeable boost in spending since election day.

The shake-up in the dairy sector took a fresh twist late on Thursday with New Zealand heavyweight Fonterra seeking to acquire a 10 per cent stake in Bega Cheese.

Watchdog's close watch on pennies

The Senate inquiry into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission will conclude that ASIC needs to be a more proactive and effective corporate law enforcer, and the recommendations ASIC put to it on Thursday will nudge it in that direction if they are adopted.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating allegations that News Corporation Australia's Geelong Advertiser has engaged in predatory pricing activities since the arrival of rival The Weekly Review.

Boral has warned of continued sluggish demand and the drag of its local building materials and US arms on earnings, with the US not expected to move into the black until late in the financial year.

Speculative fever gripped parts of the biotech market on Thursday, with steep share price rises for two companies amid optimism for research progress.

Handbags and fashion accessories company Oroton has inked a deal with US apparel chain Gap Inc that could see it open 20 Gap stores within the next 10 years, as well as cherry pick from other Gap brands for the local market, including the Banana Republic and Old Navy labels.

Australia's biggest independent wealth manager, Perpetual, has reported a turnaround for its flagship funds management arm, and forecast an improvement in first-half profit.