Markets

Is the stock market open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Here are the trading hours

Most financial markets will be closed for the celebration of the civil rights leader's life, the first one since protests over the killing of George Floyd touched off massive protests across the nation.

2021-01-15T15:28:45Z

What are the best smaller broadband providers I can switch to?

Some 21million households are with the 'Big Four' providers which includes Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk, according to data from Compare the Market.

2021-01-18T10:06:49Z

Government would recover 81% of cost of pay rise for NHS England staff – report

A substantial pay rise for NHS staff in England battling the coronavirus pandemic would cost the exchequer only a fifth of the headline price tag and boost Britain’s struggling economy, according to a report. Setting out the economic case for raising the wages of England’s 1 million nurses, midwives, health professionals and NHS support staff, researchers from the London Economics consultancy said 81% of the cost of a 5% or 10% pay rise would be...

2021-01-18T06:34:39Z

Exclusive: India's budget seen raising import duties by 5%-10% on dozens of items, sources say

Exclusive: India's budget seen raising import duties by 5%-10% on dozens of items, sources say

2021-01-18T12:38:51Z

Tasmania's 150yo Don River Railway plea for funding to survive

For more than 150 years, steam locomotives have travelled along the banks of the Don River in Tasmania, first transporting coal and eventually tourists — now, enthusiasts say without a major injection of funds, the "tourist icon" train line will cease operating.

2021-01-16T21:31:20Z

AT&T to cut Slovakia workforce, unions expect 300 jobs to go

AT&T to cut Slovakia workforce, unions expect 300 jobs to go

2021-01-18T11:28:23Z

BUSINESS LIVE: FTSE set for flat start; China's GDP grows 2.3%

As figures show China's GDP outpaced the world's developed countries last year, the FTSE 100 is set to have a flat morning. Shares fell across most of Asia following a retreat on Wall Street.

2021-01-18T08:51:40Z

Figures point to strong rebound: Treasurer

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says recent economic data and a new report from Deloitte Access Economics are all pointing to a strong economic recovery.

2021-01-17T13:17:10Z

Is a bounceback on the cards for these UK funds and trusts?

Having been one of the most unloved regions in the world since the EU referendum in 2016, could fortunes finally be turning for the UK now that Brexit is done and Covid-19 vaccines have rolled out?

2021-01-18T10:06:49Z

How to improve your chances of getting a mortgage amid the pandemic

We provide some top tips for helping you to wade through the mortgage application minefield amid the pandemic

2021-01-18T12:25:08Z

ASX drops 0.78pc as US stimulus vote looms

Shares have closed lower by 0.78 per cent to start the week on the ASX and investors will be hoping Joe Biden's US stimulus plan is approved soon.

2021-01-18T02:02:25Z

Biden to pick Gary Gensler to lead SEC, Rohit Chopra to helm CFPB: reports

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Gary Gensler to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission and Rohit Chopra to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, according to media reports Sunday night.

2021-01-18T02:00:44Z

China’s economy rebounds from pandemic, grows 2.3% in 2020

China’s economy grew 2.3% in 2020 as a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic accelerated while the United States, Europe and Japan struggled with disease flare-ups.

2021-01-18T02:15:53Z

Fair Work is taking cafe chain 85 Degrees to court over a fake internship program which allegedly underpaid foreign workers

Cafe chain 85 Degrees is being taken to court by the Fair Work Commission after allegedly underpaying workers almost $430,000 over a 12-month period.

2021-01-15T05:01:26Z

JB Hi-Fi’s online sales soared 161% which, together with Black Friday deals, more than made up for lockdown store closures

JB Hi-Fi Group reported stellar sales results for the first half of the 2021 financial year. In the company's preliminary, unaudited financial results, it reported $4.9 billion in sales, an increase of 23.7%.

2021-01-18T03:03:45Z

Super Retail, JB Hi-Fi's H1 earnings boom

Retail groups which own the Supercheap Auto and JB Hi-Fi stores have reported booming first-half earnings, based on preliminary figures.

2021-01-18T01:17:25Z

Moderna and SpaceX highlighted by a fast-growing U.S. fund traded in London

Baillie Gifford U.S. Growth Trust devoted much of its half-yearly report to talking up the prospects of biotech Moderna and rocket launcher SpaceX, two of its investments that helped lift its net asset value surge during the time frame.

2021-01-18T11:31:06Z

UK aviation sector needs urgent support, industry leaders say

Industry leaders have said the UK’s aviation sector urgently needs more government support if it is to survive another lengthy period of travel restrictions, as they warn of a deepening financial crisis over the coming months. From Monday, international arrivals to the UK will be required to quarantine for 10 days, in an effort to stem the spread of any new coronavirus variants amid a worsening incidence of transmission around the world. People...

2021-01-18T08:33:23Z

How stocks, gold, bitcoin and TIPS can hedge rising inflation

Diverse investments protect your portfolio but be aware of the risks and trade-offs.

2021-01-18T12:31:05Z

ECB's latest stimulus expected to have little impact on euro zone economy - Reuters poll

ECB's latest stimulus expected to have little impact on euro zone economy - Reuters poll

2021-01-18T11:33:35Z

Thai private hospitals reserve COVID-19 vaccines ahead of approval

Thai private hospitals reserve COVID-19 vaccines ahead of approval

2021-01-18T11:13:26Z

Super fast 5G in the US still a work in progress

Marketing pitches in the US are bullish on superfast 5G telecom networks, but they remain more of a promise than reality. - 'Not sexy enough' - AT&T has taken to calling its enhanced 4G network "5G E" in a widely criticized marketing strategy.

2021-01-17T03:48:43Z

Death of INXS manager Chris Murphy casts doubt on the future of Ballina museum

INXS manager Chris Murphy had plans to build an X-shaped museum in Ballina, but it's unclear what the industry giant's death will mean for the long-awaited project.

2021-01-18T04:17:03Z

Most Asia stocks down after gains, China growth beats forecasts

Most markets fell Monday as investors took a breather following a recent rally, though Hong Kong and Shanghai enjoyed gains after data showed China's economy grew more than expected last year. However, stocks in Hong Kong and Shanghai rose after official figures showed China's economy expanded a forecast-beating 2.3 percent last year.

2021-01-18T03:42:25Z

Centrica's finance boss steps down after just seven months in the job

Chief financial officer Johnathan Ford, who had joined Centrica in June, will leave the company at the end of the month and will be replaced by Kate Ringrose, the group's financial controller.

2021-01-18T12:36:47Z

Sober lifestyle grows in popularity, with more Australians giving up alcohol

More Australians are turning away from alcohol, and some who have ditched the drink say non-alcoholic beverages make it more socially acceptable to be sober.

2021-01-16T23:31:23Z

Analysts raise EU carbon price forecasts after bull run

Analysts raise EU carbon price forecasts after bull run

2021-01-18T11:33:26Z

Indigenous man Noel Walker explains why Coon Cheese name change is so important

Saddened by the openly racist tone of the social media debate over the Coon Cheese name change, Indigenous man Noel Walker joins the discussion to explain his perspective and share his insight into the pain the brand has caused.

2021-01-17T23:47:05Z

These are the top 10 fastest growing job searches in Australia, according to Gumtree

Gumtree has revealed the top 10 fastest growing job search terms on its platform. Topping the list are searches for waitressing, hospitality and retail.

2021-01-15T05:01:32Z

Branson's Virgin Orbit reaches space for first time

Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit project on Sunday successfully flew a rocket into space from the wing of a 747 plane.

2021-01-17T22:33:59Z

Concerts to kick-start Vic music industry

A concert series featuring Jimmy Barnes and Tones and I will be held across Victoria to help the music industry and communities recover from the pandemic.

2021-01-18T04:47:35Z

Trump brand tarnished after bruising presidency and Capitol attack

Donald Trump shot to prominence with a business empire that bears his name, but after four years of political tumult capped by his supporters' violent attack on the Capitol, the US president's brand stands tarnished, threatening his businesses, experts say. This is a person who's synonymous with a mob attacking the US Capitol," he said.

2021-01-17T03:48:48Z

Crops' chance to shine in 'Grow' project by artist Roosegaarde

Crops' chance to shine in 'Grow' project by artist Roosegaarde

2021-01-18T12:30:26Z

NSW aims for full tourism rebound by 2024

The NSW government has launched a new tourism strategy it hopes will return travel within the state to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.

2021-01-17T22:47:49Z

Major firms urge Japan to bolster 2030 renewables goal

Major firms including Sony, Panasonic and Nissan on Monday urged the Japanese government to make its 2030 renewable energy target twice as ambitious. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for Japan to become carbon-neutral, but the country's shorter term renewables goal has long been criticised as lagging. Japan currently aims to source between 22 and 24 percent of its power from solar, wind and other renewables by 2030, a...

2021-01-18T00:26:54Z

G4S migrant workers 'forced to pay millions' in illegal fees for jobs

Migrant workers working for the British security company G4S in the United Arab Emirates have collectively been forced to pay millions of pounds in illegal fees to recruitment agents to secure their jobs, the Guardian can reveal. An investigation into G4S’s recruitment practices has found that workers from south Asia and east Africa have been made to pay up to £1,775 to recruitment agents working for the British company in order to get jobs as...

2021-01-18T08:04:46Z

The number of properties for sale in Australia is beginning to dry up in every capital city but one, putting upward pressure on prices

Australian property listings have fallen dramatically in the new year, down 18% on the same time last year. Melbourne has proven the lone exception, with new listings surging 55% and total listings up 13%, versus a 17% average decline.

2021-01-15T01:46:25Z

The top five things this leading economist thinks will happen in Australia 2021

Last year was a hell of a ride for, well, almost every industry. So what will 2021 bring? Here's how Australia's economy will play in 2021 according to one of our top economists.

2021-01-17T18:46:48Z

Northern Territory national parks Litchfield and Nitmiluk to charge fees for tourists

The cash-strapped NT Government has confirmed park fees will be on the cards for interstate and international tourists, as one of its budget repair measures.

2021-01-17T01:46:29Z

Trump administration proposes 11th-hour plan to strip California desert protections

The outgoing Trump administration is proposing to strip away protections for millions of acres of California desert, threatening damage to Joshua trees, desert tortoises and landmarks. The plan would open up California’s desert areas to mining projects, eliminate up to 2.2m acres of conservation lands, as well as remove 1.8m acres designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (Acecs). Acecs are regions given special protections because...

2021-01-18T10:19:34Z

Virus accelerates business online shift

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen more than half of small businesses accelerate their operations online, with some making the change in a day.

2021-01-18T01:17:25Z

Stocks rise in Hong Kong, Shanghai on China’s economic growth; other Asian markets retreat

Shares fell Monday across most of Asia following a retreat on Wall Street, but benchmarks in Hong Kong and Shanghai rose after data showed the Chinese economy grew a solid 2.3% in 2020.

2021-01-18T04:30:55Z

Prominent film industry names sign letter asking for government support for UK cinemas

A group of the film industry’s most high-profile and influential names – including Steve McQueen, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and Danny Boyle – have published an open letter calling for more government support for the large cinema chains whose businesses have been threatened during the pandemic. The letter says that “cinema-going offers proven benefits when it comes to jobs, high-street footfall and community cohesion” but that “the need for...

2021-01-18T12:02:54Z

Revealed: The winners (and literal losers) from the bitcoin boom

Chris Sedgwick, from Yorkshire, has turned a £2,000 bitcoin investment in 2015 into £75,000, a third of which he has banked. 'Some people have done sensible things with the profits', he said.

2021-01-18T08:21:48Z

Car insurance app claims to save good drivers 40% on their premiums

A new car insurer, aimed at young motorists, has said good drivers under its policy could save 40 per cent off their premiums.

2021-01-18T10:07:38Z

Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus

Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus

2021-01-18T12:18:38Z

Apple's Cook says Parler could return to App Store with reforms

Parler, the social network popular among conservatives, could return to Apple's App Store if it changes how it moderates posts on the platform, the tech giant's CEO Tim Cook said Sunday. Apple suspended all downloads of the Parler app following the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, citing postings on the platform that could incite further violence. Google and Amazon also cut ties with the company. Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Cook justified...

2021-01-17T18:48:56Z

'You’d rather be here than almost anywhere else': The Australian economy is beginning its recovery, with Victoria set to lead the pack

Deloitte economists expect Australia's economy to rebound strongly in 2021. Australia will grow by 4.4% this year, with Victoria to be the standout performer, with its economy bouncing 5.3%, chief economist Chris Richardson said.

2021-01-18T01:03:50Z

Take That producer sells rights to string of early hits

British songwriter and producer Ian Levine has sold his rights to a string of smash hits by pop group Take That to music publisher One Media iP Group. The deal covers producer royalties to tracks from the group’s 1992 debut album Take That & Party – which was certified platinum twice in the UK – including A Million Love Songs, Could It Be Magic and I Found Heaven. The company has also snapped up Levine’s rights to two other recorded Take That...

2021-01-18T08:33:28Z

Learning from Big Tech’s missteps is putting these startups on a stronger growth path

How Midwestern entrepreneurs and VCs succeed with a measured approach .

2021-01-18T12:31:04Z