EDITOR'S PICKS

The unmasking of middle class unemployment
Robert Gottliebsen
For some time, there has been a discrepancy between the ABS and Roy Morgan takes on unemployment. Today's figures show Morgan's more dire take is closer to the truth.

Super funds' great delusions
Robert Gottliebsen
Australia's major superannuation providers are facing a tough time ahead, with more and more people switching to self-managed funds. By the time they spring into action, it will likely be too late.

Juicing the NSW housing market
Robert Gottliebsen
NSW first homebuyers grant is about to unleash huge pent up demand amongst those looking to get into the market. It may be in the nick of time for builders, given Chinese buyers are drying up.

The danger of the Slipper witch-hunt
Rob Burgess
The hounding of Peter Slipper over what was a private communication is an assault on personal freedoms. Many politicians have privately harboured misogynist, racist or homophobic thoughts. It's what they do in public that counts.

How Jones will profit from the 'backlash'
Rob Burgess
As the controversy surrounding Alan Jones fails to subside, from an exposure point of view there is an argument that the 'crisis' will actually benefit the fading star and his station.

Central banks are pushing on strings
Alan Kohler
You'd be forgiven for thinking everything was alright in the world if you were to look at how stocks are performing. But the recent rises have more to do with fiscal stimulus than an improving economy.

Alan Jones: it's about disintermediation
Alan Kohler
Alan Jones and 2GB have just discovered then when the online masses are revolted, advertisers will act quickly and decisively. Old media of radio, meet new media.

The eurozone's austerity death spiral
Stephen Koukoulas
The latest IMF forecast that much of the eurozone will not meet budget deficit targets reflects the circular problem with austerity measures.

Waiting for a Chinese miracle
Stephen Koukoulas
The latest global economic forecasts suggest concerns ahead, particularly for China. As 2012 draws to a close, a rebound for China in the coming year is looking less likely.

Will the iron spike save struggling miners?
Josh Kenworthy
Have the doomsayers gone too early on iron ore in light of the recent price recovery and renewed market confidence. Or is the commodity merely experiencing a stimulus-inspired bounce?

Riding the great debt elevator
Steve Keen
Australian homeowners are once again starting to lever up, which explains the recent uptick in house prices. But the debt ceiling has almost been reached and house price bulls may yet be proved wrong.

Corporate bonds proving a capital idea
Cliona O'Dowd
BHP Billiton has opted to issue corporate bonds –ahead of bank funding –for the first time in a decade. The move is a reflection of a growing national and international trend.

MARKETS SPECTATOR: Is the dollar about to crack?
Ben Potter
Taking a technical view, Goldman Sachs reckons the Australian dollar is an accident waiting to happen.

Huawei's legitimacy struggle
Alexander Liddington-Cox
For Huawei to successfully operate in the west, the company needs to put some serious consideration into genuine governance reform and transparency measures.

MARKETS SPECTATOR: Has the China slump been overplayed?
Ben Potter
The fears about China seem to be growing by the day. But markets seem to be pricing this negativity in and we are starting to see some stabilisation.

Popping fears of a property bubble
Robert Gottliebsen
As the mining boom fades, Australia needs a drastic rethink about how to create jobs and develop the sectors that have been crippled by the high dollar.

How will Stokes bet his ConsMedia stake?
Cliona O'Dowd
With a ConsMedia takeover ruled out, Seven's Kerry Stokes now has to decide what to do with the $500m windfall his group stands to receive via a News deal. He has three main options.