Money

China thought to be world's only major economy to have grown in 2020

The communist state - the birth-place of the global coronavirus pandemic - said output rose by 2.3 per cent in 2020 as it bounced back quickly from a slump early in the year.

2021-01-18T22:53:08Z

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

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

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

Reform Britain's outdated business rates system now, CBI tells Sunak

The Confederation of British Industry is urging chancellor Rishi Sunak (pictured) to reveal a 'comprehensive reform' of business rates in his Budget at the beginning of March.

2021-01-18T22:37:55Z

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

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

Biden’s stimulus plan for schools leaves one question unanswered and why you need to wear a mask if you already had COVID-19

Monday's top personal finance stories

2021-01-18T20:46:52Z

High-tech British firms eye U.S. listings in blow to post-Brexit London stock market

Two high-tech British firms are considering listings in New York, in a blow to the London Stock Exchange at a time when the city’s post-Brexit role as a financial services hub is changing.

2021-01-18T17:46:30Z

Yellen says U.S. must 'act big' on next coronavirus relief package

Yellen says U.S. must 'act big' on next coronavirus relief package

2021-01-18T21:18:49Z

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

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

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

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

Dame Margaret Weston obituary

Dame Margaret Weston, who has died aged 94, was the first woman in the UK to run a national museum and a pioneer when it came to sharing cultural treasures with the entire country. While director of the Science Museum, from 1973 to 1986, she opened the National Railway Museum in York, the first national museum outside London, where today a miniature steam train used by visitors is named after her. She ignored the grumbles of her mostly male...

2021-01-18T16:49:22Z

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

Music publisher strikes right chord with Take That royalties purchase as shares rock 16%

One Media has bought the producer's rights to hits from two-time platinum album Take That & Party — including the famous track "A Million Love Songs."

2021-01-18T16:46:33Z

Man City infuriated as Derby block permanent move for Scott Carson

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Derby are unwilling to cancel their loan agreement with Manchester City for Scott Carson as they need the £500,000 due this month to help pay their wages.

2021-01-18T23:08:07Z

Software data shows freight groups avoiding UK, prices rising

Software data shows freight groups avoiding UK, prices rising

2021-01-18T20:59:37Z

Rio Tinto fourth quarter iron ore output rises on China demand recovery

Rio Tinto fourth quarter iron ore output rises on China demand recovery

2021-01-18T21:51:10Z

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

Boris Johnson to chair first meeting of new 'business council'

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the UK's current progress on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and rebuilding the economy in the post-pandemic era.

2021-01-18T17:22:16Z

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

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.

2021-01-18T14:16:05Z

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

Analysis: Oil majors beat traders, gas rivals to cash in on LNG price spike

Analysis: Oil majors beat traders, gas rivals to cash in on LNG price spike

2021-01-18T23:05:09Z

'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

Calls for more help as international border stays closed due to COVID threat

With international borders likely to remain closed for much of 2021 Australia's tourism industry has demanded more financial support from the Government.

2021-01-18T14:17:31Z

Outlook darkens for Wall Street as Biden's regulators take shape

Outlook darkens for Wall Street as Biden's regulators take shape

2021-01-18T19:52:57Z

Approval of Australian military exports to Saudi Arabia and UAE condemned by human rights groups

Australia has approved at least 14 permits for the export of military goods to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates over the last year and a half, despite their involvement in the Yemen conflict which has created a humanitarian crisis. Department of Defence has also revealed it has approved permits for $580,000 of military goods to Turkey since late 2019, even though the defence minister, Linda Reynolds, announced a “pause” of such exports at...

2021-01-18T16:42:13Z

Small businesses win Covid insurance payouts after UK supreme court victory

Hundreds of thousands of small businesses that were forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to receive payouts on insurance claims worth more than £1bn after what was described as a “historic victory” at the supreme court. The Financial Conduct Authority, which brought the test case, said it would now be working with insurers to ensure they “move quickly” to pay claims to businesses, some of which have been struggling to stay...

2021-01-15T11:16:07Z

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.

2021-01-18T14:01:09Z

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

Exclusive: Senator Gillibrand eyes extending Civil Rights Act protections to U.S. troops

Exclusive: Senator Gillibrand eyes extending Civil Rights Act protections to U.S. troops

2021-01-18T19:59:46Z

Advocates urge for rise to JobSeeker rate

Australia's peak welfare group is urging the government to increase the long-term rate of JobSeeker by at least $25 per day to ensure people can afford basics.

2021-01-18T16:32:58Z

Will this new £5 mask kill the Covid virus?

Normal breathing alone can produce thousands of virus-laden aerosols - the volumes are even larger if you shout, cough or sneeze.

2021-01-18T22:55:48Z

Brexiters are waking up to the damage they've done. Oh, the schadenfreude

Brexit has beached the fishing boats at Hastings. The two-man crew of Paul Joy’s boat Kaya have left for shore jobs, after the price of the huss they land fell to just 2p a kilo. Exports to the European Union are Brexit-blighted, with fishers across Britain poleaxed by new costs and regulations, their catches rotting before they reach EU markets. It’s costing them millions already. For the past two years Joy, a passionate Brexiter, has...

2021-01-18T16:49:37Z

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

Carl Icahn nixes charity bid to blow up Trump’s former Atlantic City casino

An auction house trying to raise money for a youth charity by soliciting bids to blow up a former casino once owned by President Donald Trump called off the effort Monday after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from conservative billionaire Carl Icahn.

2021-01-18T20:46:54Z

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

The Guardian view on Boris Johnson's plan: levelling down, not up

Today’s Conservative party is the opposite of what it pretends to be. Boris Johnson’s great crusade, he claimed, was to level up Britain. Coronavirus affects everyone, but not equally. Wealthier folk can shrug off the economic shock; the poor cannot. The best way to help those at the very bottom of society is to give them money directly. Whether it’s to feed hungry children or to ensure hundreds of thousands don’t slip into poverty by not...

2021-01-18T19:18:01Z

Smart meter installer Calisen to be bought by overseas investors

The FTSE 250 firm, which installs energy meters and manages them for the 'Big Six' suppliers, confirmed it was pushing ahead with a takeover from a consortium of major international investors.

2021-01-18T22:53:05Z

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

Australia shares set to open higher as robust commodity prices benefit miners

Australia shares set to open higher as robust commodity prices benefit miners

2021-01-18T22:31:20Z

Treasury minister downplays need for immediate tax rises

A Treasury minister has downplayed the need for immediate tax rises to tackle record levels of government borrowing caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Jesse Norman said a rapid economic recovery from the worst recession for more than three centuries could help ministers avoid increasing the tax take in response to record borrowing levels. Answering questions from the Commons Treasury committee amid mounting speculation that the March budget...

2021-01-18T19:35:42Z

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

Ministers consider climbdown over ending universal credit boost

The Treasury is considering a partial climbdown over plans to end the boost to universal credit amid pressure from the work and pensions secretary, Thérèse Coffey, and after six Conservative MPs defied a call to abstain on a non-binding vote in the Commons. Boris Johnson also hinted at a rethink over the £20-a-week uplift, which is due to end in April, saying the government wanted to ensure “people don’t suffer as a result of the economic...

2021-01-18T20:05:41Z

Blow to City as leading UK biotech firm Immunocore lists in New York

Oxfordshire-based Immunocore is developing a pioneering type of cancer drug that uses the immune system to fight the disease. The technology is based on science first pioneered in Oxford.

2021-01-18T22:37:56Z

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

Signs of recovery fail to lift confidence

The recent spate of upbeat economic figures has failed to make much impression on Australians with confidence continuing to grind lower.

2021-01-18T16:32:57Z