EDITOR'S PICKS 2012

The death of peak oil
Alan Kohler, 29 Feb 2012
Forget declining oil. The rise of shale energy in North America is producing a profound transformation of energy markets that could herald the second coming of the United States.

A mining boom cut-off is coming
Robert Gottliebsen, 21 May 2012
As the flow-on effects of poor labour productivity and softer minerals prices bear down, Australian mining investment is set for a sharp slowdown which will hurt the broader economy.

Australia's mass equities exodus
Stephen Bartholomeusz, 21 Jun 2012
Figures from the RBA show a sizeable decrease in households' exposure to equities and an uptick in deposit rates. This trend makes perfect sense and doesn't look set to change soon.

The Roubini storm would change everything
Rob Burgess, 19 Jul 2012
Leading economist Nouriel Roubini has predicted a perfect storm of economic disasters in the coming year that means politicians may find themselves fighting on very different terms in the run up to the next federal election.

The RBA's shameful 2012
Stephen Koukoulas, 4 Dec 2012
With the exception of May-June, the Reserve Bank has been behind the eight ball all year. Our hollowed out economy is paying the price and, with a timid cut expected today, will continue to do so well into 2013.

The seven sins of BHP's Marius Kloppers
James Kirby, 3 Aug 2012
From bad deals to management absurdities, the BHP Billiton chief's offences may never be forgiven... and there's only one chance to save his job.

The moral bankruptcy of our ruling classes
Alan Kohler, 13 Aug 2012
The world is increasingly dominated by elites. Once they were self-sacrificing, now they are self-serving.

Australia to world: "Do not invest here"
Robert Gottliebsen, 31 Jul 2012
The Fair Work Act and the carbon tax are sending the wrong message to investors. As a result, more mining projects will be shelved.

Harvey Norman catches the electric blues
Stephen Bartholomeusz, 3 May 2012
Even diversified retailers are being mauled by the soaring competition in the electrical goods sector. While some of the factors causing the price pressure may fall away medium term, others are here to stay.

Time to shut down our oldest tax dodge
Rob Burgess, 25 Sep 2012
As Australia struggles to meet investment needs, the baby boomer generation is happily exploiting gaping personal tax loopholes. Something's got to give.

Payday looms for Germany - and Merkel
Oliver Marc Hartwich, 25 Jul 2012
Germany has been backed into a corner and now stands to lose big whether Greece exits or not, and no matter what tricks Angela Merkel tries. The question is: how much will it pay?

Empty stomachs at Canberra's Asian banquet
John Lee, 30 Oct 2012
Few analysts in Asia see the region's collective rise as inevitable or even probable. And underestimating labour, capital and political challenges will only lead to missed opportunities for Australia.

High-frequency trading is cuckoo
Alan Kohler, 11 Apr 2012
It's not known how much money high-frequency traders make but it's on the rise, and it's sucked out of other traders' pockets. The question is whether they should be allowed to get away with it.

House prices hit a debt ceiling
Steve Keen, 10 Jan 2012
With no capacity left for debt to take a larger slice of the family income pie, it's inevitable Australia's housing market will continue to wane.