EDITORS' PICKS
In this week's essential reading guide Kohler explains why a single ASX must settle for less, Gottliebsen identifies the fronts of Gillard's business attack, Bartholomeusz foreshadows more Woolworths departures and Maley explains why Portugal can't celebrate yet.
Unwed bourses must settle for less
Alan Kohler
If the ASX is not to dwindle in both size and relevance, it's important the Treasurer does not simply block the SGX takeover – he needs to spell out an alternative regulatory system for clearing and settlement.
The secret circuits of NBN Co
Alan Kohler
The NBN Co's explanation of why it cancelled a network tender process is just clumsy spin. It's clear there's a lot more going on at NBN Co than we're privy to.
Dirt will fly in China's inflation war
Robert Gottliebsen
As long as China cools its economy carefully, the impact on the overall Australia economy will be manageable. But miners benefitting from high iron ore and coal prices should prepare for Beijing to play hard ball.
Gillard is attacking business from four fronts
Robert Gottliebsen
Few in the Gillard government understand the way their combined actions are going to strangle business and lower productivity.
An NBN at any cost
Stephen Bartholomeusz
The government is unlikely to negotiate a better price for the construction of the NBN, but will probably push on anyway – the alternative would be too disastrous.
Woolworths' executive exodus
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Grant O'Brien's surprise appointment as Woolworths chief executive will cause a number of disappointed CEO hopefuls to reconsider their futures at the company. But that's not such a bad thing for the new boss.
A premature Portuguese party
Karen Maley
Unruffled by Portugal's long-awaited bailout request, markets are showing great confidence in Europe's emergency rescue fund. But what happens if austerity pledges fail – signs are already emerging in Greece.
An inflation clampdown, made in China
Karen Maley
China's preference for alternative inflation controls has reached new heights. Now Beijing is pressuring not just state-owned companies, but foreign multinationals to restrain price hikes on household items.
The NBN tender will damage Labor
Rob Burgess
NBN Co's struggle to contain labour costs taints the government's popular project with the prospect of budget blowouts and undermines its Fair Work legislation at the same time.
Abbott must enforce IR discipline
Rob Burgess
Coalition attacks on the Fair Work Act for lowering productivity leave Tony Abbott very exposed because firstly, it hasn't, but more importantly the opposition leader's far-right perception is a liability.
Feeding the housing bubble monster
Steve Keen
The bulls want us to swallow the idea that falling house prices and the end of the Australian debt binge won't affect the solvency of the banks. They're wrong.
The Australian dollar won't dazzle for long
Christopher Joye
As Australian-US interest rate differentials begin to compress, it's likely we'll see a medium-term depreciation in the Australian dollar at just the time that core inflation pressures are building.
ASX drifting on the Nasdaq current
Charis Palmer
The forces that are pushing ASX and SGX towards each other, actually emanate from the old domain of SGX boss Magnus Bcker's – Nadsaq OMX.
Say it ain't so, Warren
Mark Carnegie
If Warren Buffett does not wish to lose his deserved status as a business hero he must say that David Sokol's Lubrizol trading was wrong and that if he hadn't resigned he would have fired him.
Alan Kohler
If the ASX is not to dwindle in both size and relevance, it's important the Treasurer does not simply block the SGX takeover – he needs to spell out an alternative regulatory system for clearing and settlement.
The secret circuits of NBN Co
Alan Kohler
The NBN Co's explanation of why it cancelled a network tender process is just clumsy spin. It's clear there's a lot more going on at NBN Co than we're privy to.
Dirt will fly in China's inflation war
Robert Gottliebsen
As long as China cools its economy carefully, the impact on the overall Australia economy will be manageable. But miners benefitting from high iron ore and coal prices should prepare for Beijing to play hard ball.
Gillard is attacking business from four fronts
Robert Gottliebsen
Few in the Gillard government understand the way their combined actions are going to strangle business and lower productivity.
An NBN at any cost
Stephen Bartholomeusz
The government is unlikely to negotiate a better price for the construction of the NBN, but will probably push on anyway – the alternative would be too disastrous.
Woolworths' executive exodus
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Grant O'Brien's surprise appointment as Woolworths chief executive will cause a number of disappointed CEO hopefuls to reconsider their futures at the company. But that's not such a bad thing for the new boss.
A premature Portuguese party
Karen Maley
Unruffled by Portugal's long-awaited bailout request, markets are showing great confidence in Europe's emergency rescue fund. But what happens if austerity pledges fail – signs are already emerging in Greece.
An inflation clampdown, made in China
Karen Maley
China's preference for alternative inflation controls has reached new heights. Now Beijing is pressuring not just state-owned companies, but foreign multinationals to restrain price hikes on household items.
The NBN tender will damage Labor
Rob Burgess
NBN Co's struggle to contain labour costs taints the government's popular project with the prospect of budget blowouts and undermines its Fair Work legislation at the same time.
Abbott must enforce IR discipline
Rob Burgess
Coalition attacks on the Fair Work Act for lowering productivity leave Tony Abbott very exposed because firstly, it hasn't, but more importantly the opposition leader's far-right perception is a liability.
Feeding the housing bubble monster
Steve Keen
The bulls want us to swallow the idea that falling house prices and the end of the Australian debt binge won't affect the solvency of the banks. They're wrong.
The Australian dollar won't dazzle for long
Christopher Joye
As Australian-US interest rate differentials begin to compress, it's likely we'll see a medium-term depreciation in the Australian dollar at just the time that core inflation pressures are building.
ASX drifting on the Nasdaq current
Charis Palmer
The forces that are pushing ASX and SGX towards each other, actually emanate from the old domain of SGX boss Magnus Bcker's – Nadsaq OMX.
Say it ain't so, Warren
Mark Carnegie
If Warren Buffett does not wish to lose his deserved status as a business hero he must say that David Sokol's Lubrizol trading was wrong and that if he hadn't resigned he would have fired him.
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