EDITORS' PICKS
In this week's essential reading guide Kohler sees no reason why the ASX and SGX should not be wed, Gottliebsen asks what's up with AXA's results, Bartholomeusz looks at how Wesfarmers is stoking its Coles and Maley examines Gillard's bill of health.
Let the bourses marry
Alan Kohler
As the Singapore Stock Exchange and ASX move closer to a merger, two other big international exchange tie-ups are proceeding apace. But in every case, misplaced national pride is producing futile opposition.
Setting your sights on Target's top spot
Alan Kohler
Target boss Launa Inman describes the type of attributes you need to make it as a chief executive in the cut and thrust world of apparel.
Tapping Qantas' hidden value
Robert Gottliebsen
If Alan Joyce can fix the problems plaguing Qantas' international business he will unlock a mountain of unrealised value that would see the company's share price jump. But it's no mean feat.
What's up with AXA's results?
Robert Gottliebsen
A dig through AXA's first half results shows that its Asian business is actually recording a much higher annual growth rate than implied in Tuesday's earnings release. With a deal on the table, shareholders should be fuming.
Stoking Wesfarmers' Coles
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Wesfarmers' results show that it finally has its rival Woolworths on the back foot, confirming that Coles has increased its market share while keeping profitability intact.
Keeping BHP's powder dry
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Shareholders might have been expecting a larger return from BHP Billiton, but the expansion of its capital management to $US10 billion is somewhat more aggressive than it appears.
Conroy's shaky NBN calculations
Stephen Bartholomeusz
A new private review that broadly backs the NBN's corporate case also highlights the risk of cost blowouts. Given the size of the investment, Stephen Conroy should closely monitor the rollout and provide regular reports.
Gillard's shocking bill of health
Karen Maley
New reports suggest Australia's health care costs will spiral out of control unless major reforms are made. Julia Gillard's latest health deal with the states is only a modest first step.
What's keeping our undies up?
Karen Maley
The price of cotton garments is expected to keep rising as soaring cotton prices feed through to the retail sector. At the same time, workers in China's 'cheap' clothing factories are starting to demand better wages.
Why Howes is really howling at Rio
Rob Burgess
With miners earning huge wages, Paul Howes' attack on Rio Tinto's pay structures seems ludicrous. So, has the union leader lost his mind? Actually, no. Setting his comments in context, a larger agenda emerges.
Blinded by BHP and WikiLeaks
Rob Burgess
While weak WikiLeaks revelations, such as those in the cable featuring BHP chief Marius Kloppers, are convenient page-one stories, they will ultimately weaken the brand and institution publishing them.
Our bubble's bigger than their bubble
Steve Keen
House prices have risen much more in Australia than they did in the US, and the local claim that population growth is what makes us different is coming undone.
Farewell to Europe's old guard
Oliver Marc Hartwich
In many ways, Axel Weber was the last remaining central banker in Europe clinging on to the tough Bundesbank model of times past. Under his likely replacement, Jens Weidmann, the bank will likely continue its downward spiral.
The ASX acid test
Tim Sheehy
Most important to the ASX's integrity is the provision of a fair, informed market where prices reflect information. The question, then, is whether the new deal with the Singapore Exchange would provide this.
Alan Kohler
As the Singapore Stock Exchange and ASX move closer to a merger, two other big international exchange tie-ups are proceeding apace. But in every case, misplaced national pride is producing futile opposition.
Setting your sights on Target's top spot
Alan Kohler
Target boss Launa Inman describes the type of attributes you need to make it as a chief executive in the cut and thrust world of apparel.
Tapping Qantas' hidden value
Robert Gottliebsen
If Alan Joyce can fix the problems plaguing Qantas' international business he will unlock a mountain of unrealised value that would see the company's share price jump. But it's no mean feat.
What's up with AXA's results?
Robert Gottliebsen
A dig through AXA's first half results shows that its Asian business is actually recording a much higher annual growth rate than implied in Tuesday's earnings release. With a deal on the table, shareholders should be fuming.
Stoking Wesfarmers' Coles
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Wesfarmers' results show that it finally has its rival Woolworths on the back foot, confirming that Coles has increased its market share while keeping profitability intact.
Keeping BHP's powder dry
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Shareholders might have been expecting a larger return from BHP Billiton, but the expansion of its capital management to $US10 billion is somewhat more aggressive than it appears.
Conroy's shaky NBN calculations
Stephen Bartholomeusz
A new private review that broadly backs the NBN's corporate case also highlights the risk of cost blowouts. Given the size of the investment, Stephen Conroy should closely monitor the rollout and provide regular reports.
Gillard's shocking bill of health
Karen Maley
New reports suggest Australia's health care costs will spiral out of control unless major reforms are made. Julia Gillard's latest health deal with the states is only a modest first step.
What's keeping our undies up?
Karen Maley
The price of cotton garments is expected to keep rising as soaring cotton prices feed through to the retail sector. At the same time, workers in China's 'cheap' clothing factories are starting to demand better wages.
Why Howes is really howling at Rio
Rob Burgess
With miners earning huge wages, Paul Howes' attack on Rio Tinto's pay structures seems ludicrous. So, has the union leader lost his mind? Actually, no. Setting his comments in context, a larger agenda emerges.
Blinded by BHP and WikiLeaks
Rob Burgess
While weak WikiLeaks revelations, such as those in the cable featuring BHP chief Marius Kloppers, are convenient page-one stories, they will ultimately weaken the brand and institution publishing them.
Our bubble's bigger than their bubble
Steve Keen
House prices have risen much more in Australia than they did in the US, and the local claim that population growth is what makes us different is coming undone.
Farewell to Europe's old guard
Oliver Marc Hartwich
In many ways, Axel Weber was the last remaining central banker in Europe clinging on to the tough Bundesbank model of times past. Under his likely replacement, Jens Weidmann, the bank will likely continue its downward spiral.
The ASX acid test
Tim Sheehy
Most important to the ASX's integrity is the provision of a fair, informed market where prices reflect information. The question, then, is whether the new deal with the Singapore Exchange would provide this.
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