Money

New home sales surge as economy recovers

New home sales rocketed in December as people rushed to get the federal government's $25,000 HomeBuilder grant before it was reduced at the turn of the year.

From Facebook to News Corp: here are the 5 most interesting submissions to Kevin Rudd's media diversity inquiry so far

After a public campaign led by Kevin Rudd for a royal commission into media diversity in Australia, the Senate agreed to establish an inquiry late last year.

Moonpig confirms stock market flotation for up to £1.2bn

The online greeting card and gifts retailer Moonpighas confirmed plans for a £1.2bn float on the London Stock Exchange , after demand surged for its personalised products during the coronavirus pandemic. Announcing new details of the planned initial public offering, Moonpig, which has been owned by the private equity firm Exponent since 2016, said it would float at least a quarter of the company. The US firms BlackRock and Dragoneer Global Fund...

Bitcoin overtakes 'long tech' as most crowded trade - BofA survey

Bitcoin overtakes 'long tech' as most crowded trade - BofA survey

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.

Investors eye recovery as most markets rise, Yellen in focus

Optimism about the global economic recovery and vaccine rollouts trumped ongoing concerns about soaring virus infections Tuesday with most Asian markets clocking up big gains. Traders were also awaiting the Senate confirmation hearing for US Treasury secretary pick Janet Yellen, which is expected to give lawmakers a chance to go over Joe Biden's huge stimulus proposal. US markets were closed Monday for a public holiday, but regional investors...

Tuesday briefing: 'Missing out on being young'

Top story: Call to promote BAME vaccinations Hello, Warren Murray marking out the trail to Tuesday’s must-read news. Young people are in danger of giving up on their futures and on themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic, a Prince’s Trust survey has found. More than one in four said they had felt unable to cope with life since the start of the pandemic, increasing to 40% of those not in work, education or training. Half of 16- to 25-year-olds...

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.

Elizabeth Banks sends thank you notes to frontline workers

Elizabeth Banks is sending thank you notes to frontline workers in honor of National Day Of Service, which is recognized on MLK Day on January 18.

NRL players accept 2021 cut to salary cap

NRL players have agreed to take a pay cut with the salary cap reduced by 6 per cent as the game deals with the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MG5 EV's roof rails are for decoration and not safe to carry weight

Despite MG Motors' website and brochures previously showing the estate car carrying a bicycle, the brand has since told customers it is not safe to load anything onto the roof rails.

A new generation of digital payday lenders are springing up in Australia as demand for short-term loans surges

A new breed of digital payday lenders are popping up in Australia, with the lending niche growing five times larger in just 12 months. Joining an array of app-based competitors, the Commonwealth Bank is offering its own pay advance feature to customers.

Fighting climate crisis made harder by Covid-19 inequality, says WEF

Tackling the existential risk posed by the climate crisis will be made harder by the growing gap between rich and poor triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Economic Forum has said. The body that organises the annual gathering of the global elite in the Swiss town of Davos said warning signs of the threat posed by infectious disease had been ignored for the past 15 years, with disastrous results. Despite the loss of almost 2 million...

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.

Sustainable tourism key to Cumbria’s new carbon neutral plan

Across Cumbria local communities, businesses and grassroots organisations are being mobilised to map out ways that they hope will help it become the UK’s first carbon-neutral county. The county has targeted 2037 to decarbonise, an ambition initially supported by £2.5m of national lottery funding, which was awarded last August and will be drip-fed over the next five years from this month.. Tourism will be an area of focus, alongside housing,...

Boeing 737 MAX to get EU flight clearance next week: safety chief

US-BOEING-737MAX-EASA:Boeing 737 MAX to get EU flight clearance next week: safety chief

'We won't have much of a tourism industry left': Tourism boss calls for JobKeeper extension as borders stay shut

The head of Australia's peak tourism industry body has called for an extension to the JobKeeper subsidy to counteract the continuing financial strain caused by international and domestic border closures.

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.

‘Harmful outcomes’: The US has urged Australia to ditch its plan to force Facebook and Google to pay for news

US trade representatives say Australia's draft media bargaining code is "fundamentally unbalanced", with consequences that could "significantly harm Australian consumers".

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.

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."

Superdry warns over future as Covid-19 hammers sales

The fashion retailer Superdry has warned over its ability to continue as a going concern as multiple coronavirus lockdowns have hammered sales and profits. Shares fell 11% on Tuesday after Superdry issued the warning and said revenues fell 52% in the 11 weeks to 9 January, due to store closures during the weeks before and after Christmas. Superdry said: “The group directors noted that the risks set out … indicate that a material uncertainty...

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.

Homelessness crisis looms as Western Australia's coronavirus rental moratorium due to expire

Western Australia is set to see increased levels of insecure housing and homelessness due to rental hikes of up to 20 per cent after the state's moratorium ends, Anglicare warns.

US urges Australia to abandon news payment plan for tech giants

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.

Coinbase apologises for letting down users over frozen funds

In a blog post published on Friday Casper Sorensen, the vice president for customer experience at the cryptocurrency exchange, said the company was 'doing everything in our power to turn the page.'

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.

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.

Tyro close to restoring EFTPOS connections

A problem with Tyro EFTPOS terminals, which has left many businesses unable to collect payments, could be resolved by the end of the week.

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%.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Electric car batteries race ahead with five-minute charging times

Batteries capable of fully charging in five minutes have been produced in a factory for the first time, marking a significant step towards electric cars becoming as fast to charge as filling up petrol or diesel vehicles. Electric vehicles are a vital part of action to tackle the climate crisis but running out of charge during a journey is a worry for drivers. The new lithium-ion batteries were developed by the Israeli company StoreDot and...

Councils plan to fit just 9,300 on-street electric EV chargers by 2025

An average of 35 chargers per local authority are due to be provided in the next four years. That's despite the Government making available funds to cover the cost of 3,600 installations in 2021.

BlackRock’s CEO says a leading investor is flagging worries about valuations and inflation

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says a leading investor flagged to him concerns about stock market valuations and the possibility of inflation breaking out.

TikTok owner ByteDance launches Douyin Pay, its mobile payment service for China

TikTok owner ByteDance launches Douyin Pay, its mobile payment service for China

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.

EU eyes scheme to share surplus COVID-19 vaccines with poorer nations

European markets trade higher as wave of earnings reports buoy stocks

European indexes inched higher on Tuesday, as a wave of upbeat earnings reports helped keep stocks in the green, while markets anticipate U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen’s closely watched appearance before Congress later in the day.

India asks Facebook's WhatsApp to withdraw privacy policy update

India asks Facebook's WhatsApp to withdraw privacy policy update

Is crypto the new 'millennial gold'?

Blockchain mining company Argo Blockchain is the most bought stock on DIY investing platform Interactive Investor so far this year. What is it, who is buying it and why is it so popular?

Spanish side become first team ever to buy a player with BITCOIN

The striker was unveiled by Spanish third division side DUX Internacional de Madrid, also known as Inter Madrid, after they teamed up with their new cryptocurrency sponsors to make a unique move.

Epidemics lead world's biggest short-term risks: World Economic Forum

Epidemics lead world's biggest short-term risks: World Economic Forum

Australians racked up $24 billion in credit card debt for Christmas, as the country remembers how to spend again

More than $24 billions was spent on Australian credit cards over the Christmas period, according to RBA forecasts. Although lower than last year, the figure remains substantial, amounting to $1,748 per card, Finder analysis found.

Italian PM faces senate test as pandemic rages

Dr Martens flotation may create around 50 instant multi-millionaires

The Dr Martens flotation is still at the warm-up stage, meaning the owners announce their intention to list the company, then formally confirm their plan, as happened on Monday, all the while using the spotlight to talk up the brand’s “iconic” and “unique” status. Fair enough – that’s how the float game is played. Soon, though, the outside world will see a prospectus, at which point there’ll be something new to talk about: the spectacular...

Aust shares more than one per cent higher

A broad-based rally on the ASX has produced investors' best day in more than a week, as US politicians lobby peers to pass economic stimulus.