‘Eye off the ball’: Woolies lays blame for limp results
A string of "distractions" are the reason why Woolworths failed to deliver for shareholders, the company's leaders say.
economy, business and finance
Coles puts heat on Woolworths with strong sales growth
Supermarket giant Coles continues to take market share from key rival Woolworths, posting stronger quarterly sales growth than its bigger competitor.
Chalmers mulls automatic approval for foreign investors
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled more changes to the nation's foreign investment review scheme as he struck down a proposed pharmaceutical takeover.
Retailers ponder quitting ciggies as illegal sales soar
Supermarkets and smaller retailers are feeling the pain of the illegal tobacco trade, posting super-sized drops in revenue in recent reporting.
APEC wraps up after Trump-Xi agreement on trade truce
APEC nations have vowed greater economic co-operation and integration as they wind up their meeting at a time when global trade faces "significant challenge".
RBA to reveal interest rate call, economic forecasts
The Reserve Bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold after a spike in inflation, with the bank's updated economic forecasts set to be closely scrutinised.
Solutions in short supply as housing market heats up
Slashing the amount needed for a first home deposit might be doing more harm than good for young Australians hoping to get a foothold on the property ladder.
Westpac admits dropping ball on state bank customers
Overpriced mortgage products at its state-specific subsidiaries have contributed to Westpac losing market share, despite solid growth in customer deposits.
Sticky inflation cruels chances of interest rate relief
Borrowers face the possibility of interest rates going up rather than down again after the Reserve Bank held steady following a spike in inflation.
‘Minsky moment’: watchdog boss warns of market collapse
The corporate watchdog has flagged easing reporting requirements for smaller firms while warning private credit to shape up or face tougher regulation.
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
The rising cost of new homes and services such as takeaway meals were key to the Reserve Bank's inflation miss in September and could rule out future rate cuts.
‘COP of Truth’ promised as UN says we’ll overshoot 1.5C
The world has been promised real solutions at the COP30 climate change summit as a new UN report puts the planet on course for a 2.5C temperature rise.
Power deal inked to secure smelter’s short-term future
A 12-month power deal has guaranteed the short-term future of a 70-year-old aluminium smelter than employs more than 500 people.
At least seven dead, 11 hurt as US cargo plane crashes
At least seven people are dead and 11 are injured after a large cargo plane crashed in the US, erupting into a massive fireball shortly after take-off.
Golden eye on northern island after spot price surge
An explorer revisits prospects of mining gold on a northern island with the surging spot price making the settler-era site a "compelling opportunity".
Largest smelter could close in ‘national interest’ blow
Rising energy costs could force Australia's largest aluminium smelter to shut, but leaders have promised to do everything possible to keep it going.
Tech giant founder targeted as federal police raid firm
Shares in Australian technology giant WiseTech are in freefall, down 15 per cent in early trading, after revelations of an ASIC-AFP raid.
Tough decisions on closures to help Bega’s bottom line
The closure of a cheese factory in Victoria and a peanut business in Queensland at a cost of 450 jobs will help Bega Cheese boost its earnings.
Time running out for ‘irreplaceable’ $95b reef
The Great Barrier Reef is an ecological and economic jewel, but a growing body of research shows it will be lost without swift and decisive action.
Trump gets royal welcome in Japan, eyes China deal
Defence will be high on the agenda as US President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of talks with China's President Xi.
Canada PM ready to resume trade talks with US and Trump
Trade talks between the US and Canada stalled after Ontario broadcast an anti-tariff advertisement featuring the voice of former president Ronald Reagan.
Trump aims to clinch deal with China’s Xi on Asia trip
US President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again meeting with his Chinese counterpart will be the centrepiece of his five-day trip to Asia.
Trump to hit Canada with 10pct extra import tax over ad
A furious Donald Trump says he will slap an extra 10 per cent tax on imports from Canada because an anti-tariff TV ad wasn't pulled from the air fast enough.
Trump headlines ASEAN summit as trade deals signed
US President Donald Trump watched over a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia before signing trade deals.
Trump confident of deal after ‘successful’ China talks
Top economic officials from China and the US have concluded two days of discussions to de-escalate a trade war as the countries' presidents prepare to meet.
ASEAN leaders look to build trade ties as Trump departs
Officials from China and the leaders of Brazil, Canada, the European Council and the 11-strong ASEAN bloc are working to solidify economic ties and trade pacts.
US-China talks sketch out rare earths, tariff pause
Officials from the United States and China are working on a potential deal to pause steeper tariffs and rare earths export controls ahead of a leaders' meeting.
Supercheap Auto owner moves quickly to name new CEO
Super Retail Group has promoted the leader of its BCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing) chain to lead its overall business after its last CEO was fired.
From gigabits to terabits: fibre to fire up downloads
A fibre optic internet backbone will deliver internet speeds up to six times faster as well as a multi-billion-dollar boost to Australia's economy by 2040.
Australia’s great timing in mega-deal with Donald Trump
Australia's critical minerals deal could be a boon for local miners but the timing is also to US President Donald Trump's advantage as he tangles with China.
Flood risk already raining on Australian home prices
One type of natural disaster has depressed the value of more than two-thirds of Australian homes that sit in the firing line, new analysis finds.