Money

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.

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?

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...

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.

Begbies Traynor expands its presence abroad after buying CVR Global

Begbies said the deal would be 'immediately earnings-enhancing' and enable them to expand its market share in the business recovery and financial advisory specialism.

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.

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.

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...

Joy and caution as Greek shops re-open amid strict safety limits

Joy and caution as Greek shops re-open amid strict safety limits

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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...

Ivory Coast cocoa exports hit hard by COVID-19 second wave -CCC

Ivory Coast cocoa exports hit hard by COVID-19 second wave -CCC

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%.

Super Retail Group returns $1.7m from jobkeeper amid calls for Harvey Norman to follow suit

Open all hours: Around-the-clock vaccination sites to be piloted in England in COVID-19 drive

England is vaccinating around 140 people a minute.

Tunisia arrests over 600, deploys troops after riots

More than 600 people have been arrested and troops have been deployed after a third consecutive night of riots in several Tunisian cities, officials said Monday. The unrest came after Tunisia imposed a nationwide lockdown to stem a rise in coronavirus infections on Thursday -- the same day as it marked the 10th anniversary of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's fall from power. Interior ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said a total of 632 people...

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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.

'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.

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.

Morrisons unveils new food box which feeds family of 4 for £30

The boxes, available across the UK with free delivery, contain a mixture of cupboard staples and fresh produce to make five meals - coming in at £1.50 per portion.

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.

These copper-exposed stocks can surge in 2021 as tailwinds line up, Morgan Stanley says

Copper-exposed stocks could be set to surge in 2021 and a buying opportunity may be around the corner, Morgan Stanley analysts said on Monday.

Reuters poll: Canada's economic recovery falters amid renewed COVID-19 restrictions

Reuters poll: Canada's economic recovery falters amid renewed COVID-19 restrictions

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...

Tesla’s new $950 stock price target at Wedbush is the highest on Wall Street, but the analyst still won’t say buy

Tesla Inc. got a another bullish endorsement Friday from Wedbush's prolific analyst Dan Ives, who raised his stock price target by 33%, but he still won't recommend investors buy the stock.

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...

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.

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

We are learning more about diversity at tech companies, but it isn’t good news

As they face continued calls to diversify their workforces, tech companies are increasingly disclosing demographics and pay information, but for the most part those numbers have shown little progress amid high-profile controversies.

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.

Expect another quarter of big earnings beats, as Wall Street estimates were likely overly depressed

The U.S. fourth-quarter earnings reporting season kicked off Friday, and early indications suggest results will beat by wide margins, which could even lead to an end of the earnings recession.

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.

UK PM, finance minister to meet business leaders on COVID recovery

UK PM, finance minister to meet business leaders on COVID recovery

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.

Weekend reads: Can this man save Intel?

Also, SPACs, digital nomads and less fun at Disney World.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

UK's Johnson criticised over lack of COVID welfare commitment

UK's Johnson criticised over lack of COVID welfare commitment

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.