September 2023
The audacious deals that built the Murdoch empire
Rupert Murdoch forged his empire by his continual readiness to bet the company on whatever venture he was facing. Mostly he was right.
August 2021
- Opinion
- Platinum Year
At last, a prospectus just for you! Pierpont is back for a milestone
In 1972, Financial Review investment editor Trevor Sykes had the idea of making Pierpont a real character: a well-connected old chap.
July 2021
Meet the heroes and villains of Australian mining
From the Poseidon boom to the rise of Sir Arvi Parbo and Gina Rinehart, the Australian Financial Review has charted every colourful turn of Australian mining.
May 2019
Sir Arvi Parbo: Humble man who struck it rich in Australia
Sir Arvi Parbo came to Australia with no family connections or advantages but rose to become one of our top businessmen.
- Updated
October 2017
- Opinion
Black Monday: Nervous silence marked a day of drama
Australia was particularly vulnerable in 1987 because the 1980s had seen the spectacular rise of corporate cowboys.
- Updated
January 2017
Bolly, brand and blue sky: Inside the creation of Pierpont
Pierpont's 44-year run started – not surprisingly – with a few sociable gins.
- Updated
Our Pierpont correspondent takes one last stand with the best of his anti-heroes
Our Pierpont correspondent puts down his pen, but before he goes, here are the best (of the worst) financial champions.
- Updated
December 2016
Pierpont's Dubious Distinction Awards for 2016: The cream doesn't rise
Santa Pierpont has arrived with his haul of goodies – and baddies.
- Updated
Pierpont's lament: The rabble (those pesky investors) are taking over
Today's column is being written as a warning to directors that the rabble are winning.
- Updated
November 2016
Woolworths: too late to sell, too early to buy
The supermarket group is on the road to recovery - but it's always easier to rush into a swamp than get out again.
- Updated
Shares are difficult, but bonds are dangerous
Struggled to make money on shares this year? At least you're members of a fairly large club.
- Updated
Stocks react pragmatically to President-elect Donald Trump
At least a few share traders would have had a rough time on the ASX on Wednesday.
- Updated
Three emotion-driven stocks that just might rebound
There may be a window of opportunity to capitalise on a short-term bounce, writes Trevor Sykes.
- Updated
Jervois Mining and the great scandium battle
After 44 years of quilling this column, Pierpont is beginning to feel fatigued and is looking around for something easier to do.
- Updated
October 2016
Where to invest for safety in an uncertain world
The world beyond Australia is becoming a scary place, and it's time we considered our portfolios with that in mind.
- Updated
How BHP and Rio Tinto climbed out of the swamp
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have spent 2016 climbing out of a sharemarket quagmire.
- Updated
The stock to buy when gold is having an off day
Evolution, our second biggest listed gold miner, looks a good stock to buy whenever gold is having an off day.
- Updated
Medibank Private gets hit by RSI attack
Be alert, rather than alarmed, at the prospect of oversold stocks, writes Trevor Sykes.
- Updated
Crazy bonds are putting banks under pressure
The financial world is operating in a fashion Pierpont no longer understands. A royal commission won't help that.
- Updated
September 2016
Has BHP spinoff South32 peaked?
One of the better performing stocks so far this year has been South 32, up from 89¢ to a record high of $2.40.
- Updated