January 2021
US insurance giant faces backlash over Queensland coal mine
US insurance giant Liberty Mutual faces pressure from the UN Principles of Responsible Investment over plans to open a new coal mine in central Queensland.
Telco profit squeeze shows no sign of ending
This will be the year telcos get their hands on ultra-fast millimeter wave spectrum. But with tight margins, analysts say the picture is not rosy.
Aussie Broadband challenges big telcos with fibre build
Australia's newest ASX-listed telco Aussie Broadband has laid its first fibre connections in Melbourne, the first part of a $67 million transformation of the business.
Insurers hit back over climate risk fears
Insurers acknowledged UniSuper's right to underweight the sector, but insisted they could not be accused of failing to take the risk seriously.
Prince Charles transcends carbon in new green alliance
The Prince of Wales has lent his royal name to the growing asset class known as 'natural capital', which seeks to find ways to monetise activities that protect natural assets like water and biodiversity.
Social bond market surges on pandemic demand
The global sustainable debt market rocketed to $732 billion in 2020 as governments looked for green and socially-sound stimulus measures to counter coronavirus-induced economic crises.
- Exclusive
- Extreme weather
Insurers becoming too risky for UniSuper
Increasing wild weather and rising sea levels are making insurance Australia’s riskiest sector, says UniSuper chief investment officer John Pearce.
Sydney hedge fund plans hostile takeover of Amaysim
The battle for Amaysim has taken another extraordinary turn, as obscure Sydney-based hedge fund RAMCap has vowed to go directly to shareholders with its bid.
CBA push to get half of staff back in office
Employer plans for having workers return to the office have been jeopardised by new COVID-19 restrictions, amid continued outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne.
A showdown is brewing between telcos and streaming sites
Telstra and Optus say it is time for providers of data-heavy content, such as video streaming and online gaming, to start contributing to telecommunications networks.
IAG factors in $1.15b virus disruption hit
Insurance Australia Group has told investors to expect a $1.15 billion hit to earnings in expectation of a flood of COVID-19-related business interruption claims.
Nick Scali upgrades profit as retailers end 2020 on a high
The surprise upgrade by Nick Scali sent its shares soaring to a record high.
Maurice Blackburn prepares for insurance class action
Law firm Maurice Blackburn says it has received 'scores' of inquiries after an advertising campaign to test the potential for a class action against insurers.
Telstra reveals immediate 5G plans as it awaits innovation
Telstra will soon have access to a huge amount of new millimetre wave spectrum. Head of networks Nikos Katinakis says the telco won't waste any of it.
IAG's billion-dollar pandemic risk is far from resolved
Insurance Australia Group could be on the hook for close to $1 billion in claims thanks to an epic error in the wording of its business interruption policies.
Unisuper's John Pearce isn't buying renewable energy
Unisuper may be one of the Australian investment industry's most active supporters of decarbonisation but chief investment officer John Pearce isn't bullish on renewable energy.
December 2020
Vulnerable households need insurance subsidies: ACCC
The government should consider direct subsidies to help northern Australian households pay for prohibitively expensive insurance, rather than introduce sweeping reforms.
How to tell if a company is fudging on its net zero pledge
A long string of companies committed to 'net zero' in 2020, but its definition remains foggy, allowing for lots of fine intentions without profound changes.
Wealth makes a 'remarkable' turnaround in 2020
The wealth of typical Australian savers is in surprisingly robust shape after a traumatic year for their personal and financial health – provided they did not panic and convert savings to cash in the depths of the market sell-off.
Geoff Wilson has unlikely rival in bid for Amaysim
A small hedge fund that focuses on small cap Australain gold miners has emerged as a rival in Wilson Asset Management's high profile bid to acquire defunct telco Amaysim.