EDITOR'S PICKS
Running on empty, Ford abandons its vehicles
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Despite substantial investment from carmakers and government, the industry’s survival to this point defied its economic reality. Now Ford's decision will trigger a domino effect.
Australia's stocktake reveals a healthy ledger
Stephen Koukoulas
Recent economic forecasts can leave us optimistic about Australia's growth potential for the next few years. Jobs are being created, inflation is low and a gentle pick-up in activity can be expected.
Stuck with bipartisan carbon delusion
Rob Burgess
Lawns are green again and voters have gone cool on climate change. So much so, says Rob Oakeshott, it may not matter to them if Labor gets behind Tony Abbott’s plan.
Of Bernanke, robots and innovation
Jessica Irvine
Whether shares continue to rise has much to do with new technology and innovation. For Ben Bernanke, we may still be in the early days of IT revolution.
Hockey's push to end the budget furphies
Rob Burgess
Lack of federal budget transparency has allowed profligacy on both sides of politics, and while the Coalition has a plan for reform its hopes for a revenue jump are shaky.
Contractor collateral in mining's stark retreat
Stephen Bartholomeusz
As Transfield joined its peers in slashing profit forecasts, the market has reacted ferociously. But conditions for mining contractors will soon be much tougher than they are now.
No olive branch for a European comedy
Oliver Marc Hartwich
New regulations on olive oil show what a farce the noble European Union integration project has become.
Ford's not the end for Australian cars
Christopher Mason
The developed-world revitalisation of some of Ford’s peers shows its decision doesn't have to be the beginning of the end for Australian auto manufacturers.
Abe's big bang has birthed a new Japan
Stephen Koukoulas
Japan's radical policy approach to deflation appears to be paying off, with manufacturing activity positive for the first time in a year. European policy makers should be watching closely.
Left sour by Apple's global tax tricks
Stephen Bartholomeusz
As Apple's supremo prepares to face Congress, a bipartisan committee has revealed the fantastic ways the multinational minimises its global tax liability.
Seductive super models of supply and demand
Steve Keen
Behind beguilingly contrasting appearances, competing models of supply and demand may have far more in common than their adherents realise.
There's a catch to Xi's tiger trap
Geoff Raby
Xi Jinping's declared corruption crackdown has had its first win, but the protracted fall of Liu Tienan suggests the case met heavy resistance within the Party.