Inflation does a job on wage growth, adds heat to rates
Rising inflation has pushed real wages below the level of rising costs, which could have a big impact on the Reserve Bank's next decision on interest rates.
economy, business and finance
Regional housing market booms, outpacing capital cities
Buyers are turning to regional Australia for housing affordability, but little relief can be found in some of the fastest-growing areas outside the cities.
Suitors fire up steelmaker takeover with hotter offer
A takeover offer worth $2 billion more than a previous attempt to snare Australia's largest steelmaker is no certainty to be successful.
Major builder expects ‘chronic undersupply’ to continue
Pent-up demand has property group Mirvac optimistic about the outlook for residential housing despite the prospect of higher interest rates.
Destructive hailstorms slash insurer firm’s bottom line
Suncorp's first-half profit has dropped 76 per cent after the insurer paid $1.3 billion in natural hazard claims, mostly related to two thunderstorms.
Premier polishes pitch to lure Trump to Australia
A premier is bidding to bring the United States president to Australia, claiming his state has something Donald Trump wants and needs.
Labour pains for borrowers as jobs data hits rate hopes
Economists fear two solid jobs readings could push the RBA to inflict more borrowing pain on Australian mortgage-holders.
Dodgy online items in consumer watchdog’s crosshairs
Forcing giant online marketplaces like Temu and Shein to protect consumers from unsafe products is one of this year's key focuses for the consumer watchdog.
Billionaire says ‘world-class conman’ Epstein duped him
Billionaire businessman Les Wexner says he was foolish to trust "master manipulator" Jeffrey Epstein, as he denied taking part in the abuse of girls and women.
Insurer’s ‘failing’ health system warning as costs soar
Health insurer Medibank Private has lifted its interim bottom-line net profit after the number of Australians taking out policies increased.
No spirit of Australia in Qantas closures, report finds
The Flying Kangaroo has been criticised for closing three regional bases, with an inquiry finding it risks calling itself a country carrier "in name only".
Kmart, Bunnings building as Officeworks stays deskbound
Kmart and Bunnings performed strongly in the first half of 2025/26, owner Wesfarmers says, but another of its well-known chains is lagging.
Rio Tinto misses profit view on iron ore challenges
Weaker iron ore prices have dug into mining giant Rio Tinto's underlying profit, although stronger copper prices cushioned the blow.
Insurer’s shares soar to four-month high on profit rise
QBE shares have rocketed after reporting a net profit increase of 21 per cent on higher premiums and fewer disaster payouts.
Cochlear crashes in latest earnings season carnage
Hearing device manufacturer Cochlear has suffered a 19 per cent sell-off after posting weaker-than-expected half-year earnings and trimming its guidance.
Work never ends for used car giant after $120m sale
A used car startup has netted its founder a nine-figure payday after selling his business to Toyota but it won't put the handbrake on his drive.
RBA offers more rates call insight before jobs data
Critical unemployment figures will give Australia's central bank a clearer picture on whether it will deliver a second interest rate hike in as many months.
Ukraine delaying restart of oil pipeline: Slovakia
Ukraine has been accused of delaying the restart of a pipeline carrying Russian oil to eastern Europe.
Steelmaker pledges dividend bonanza, but shares drop
Weeks after rejecting a takeover bid, BlueScope Steel is promising to return more of its profit to shareholders after delivering a rise in first half earnings.
‘Stonking result’: big bank basks in best day for years
Shares in Australia's biggest bank have soared to a three-month high after it beat earnings expectations with "a really clean set of numbers".
Biotech giant’s shares dive after CEO’s shock departure
Shares in Australia's largest biopharmaceutical company have hit an eight-year low after the sudden retirement of its chief executive.
Shares in wealth manager plunge in earnings bloodbath
AMP shares have plummeted amid questions from analysts about why shareholders should watch their money being "torched" to fund the company's new digital bank.
Aussies ditch copper for fibre to boost download speeds
More Australians are upgrading their broadband connections, choosing faster plans and setting download records, NBN Co has revealed.
‘Watch this space’: Fortescue bullish on climate target
Battery-powered trains are part of Fortescue's plan to eliminate fossil fuels from its Pilbara iron ore operations as it aims to beat a decarbonisation target.
Bank business clients proving resilient, despite rates
One of the bright spots in Commonwealth Bank's interim results this week was its interactions with businesses, particularly in regional Australia.
Valentine’s warning as AI fuels ‘insidious’ love scams
Criminals are feeding Australians' social media information into AI to create targeted romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day.
‘I won’t walk away’: embattled Starmer to Westminster
A defiant UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is digging in, telling colleagues he's "won every fight I've ever been in", amid calls for him to resign.
Japanese prime minister’s party secures supermajority
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's coalition has swept to victory, handing her a mandate to cut taxes and boost the economy through spending.
Signs of softening spending could stay RBA’s rates hand
A surprise slide in consumer spending has thrown more uncertainty around the Reserve Bank's next move on interest rates.
Debt group sees upside in higher credit card balances
Debt collection business Credit Corp, which also owns lender Wallet Wizard, expects its profit to grow by up to 17 per cent as cost-of-living pressures bite.
Tech companies campaign to bring SXSW back to Australia
Brisbane might have secured the Olympic Games but a grassroots campaign is asking the state government to consider adopting another big event.