ASIC’s failure is it has become too big to regulate
The nation’s powerful corporate cop is doing too much, and most of it is small fry.
Victoria Business
Booktopia in administration with urgent sale sought
Booktopia has collapsed into administration less than four years after listing on the ASX with an urgent assessment of the business now under way.
Dutton’s ‘big stick’ sets dangerous tone for business
From energy to supermarkets, Peter Dutton is proving instincts are built on more, not less, market intervention.
Fast track for Squadron’s Kembla a potential gas solution
Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy says its LNG import terminal at Port Kembla could be fast tracked to plug looming gas shortages on the eastern seaboard.
Cosmetics giant faces new court case
After Mecca’s former chief of marketing settled maternity leave discrimination allegations against the company, the beauty giant is facing fresh court action in Victoria.
Experts tip investment winners for year ahead
The standout performers of 2023-24 were celebrated, but a new financial year brings fresh hope for different types of assets.
Bendigo’s board put costs at centre of CEO challenge
Incoming CEO Richard Fennell will need to quickly prove he isn’t just another product of the Bendigo culture that has had greater tolerance for costs than the bank’s investors.
CBA prepares to take on Wall Street’s biggest banks
The Australian bank has passed a staggering milestone. Can it continue to defy gravity?
Hot advice: Danger of online product reviews
Want a good electric blanket or other household item? Scott Pape says in an age of fake reviews, there’s one key place to check.
Gerry Ryan’s luxury safari resort at Monarto up for sale
Jayco founder Gerry Ryan is selling the luxury resort he has bankrolled at the Monarto Safari Park before it even opens.
Consulting firm Synechron snaps up two major tech outfits
Synechron continues its acquisition spree in Australia, buying two related tech firms with about 200 staff, adding to its iGreendata purchase earlier this year.
Investors give biotechs injection of funds
Biotech in Australia has been ailing, but there are signs of a recovery as investors once again show a healthy interest, says Tim Boreham.
Catsoulis’s Impact Gold facing winding up application
David Catsoulis’s PNG-focused Impact Gold is facing a winding up application, while his fellow company Warwick Gold is in liquidation.
Analyst calls buying opportunity as Immutep shares tank
Investors have misread the latest Immutep trial results, smashing the stock price and creating an ‘obvious buying opportunity’, analysts say.
Private credit a path to diversity, returns
Private credit – a burgeoning form of investment – offers myriad advantages to those chasing asset diversification and healthy returns, writes Tim Boreham.
Meet Victoria’s top Subway franchisees
Subway has the largest store footprint of any quick-service restaurant brand in the ANZ region. Here, some of its top franchisees tell us what it’s like to run a Subway shop.
Pilbara renewables needed for BHP’s electric dreams
BHP will source 500MW of renewables in the Pilbara by 2030 as it converts its diesel-hungry truck fleet to electric power in coming years.
Australia must make case for global funds: Citi boss
Citi CEO Mark Woodruff is talking up Australia on the global funds stage with hundreds of billions needed for energy, minerals and housing development.
Analysts speculate on payoff for Premier holders
Analysts like what they see in a merger of Myer and Premier’s Apparel Brands, and some are already speculating on how many Myer shares Premier shareholders will receive.
Question mark over prime Sydney site after historic club folds
The Kirribilli Club – an ex-service club with some of the best harbourside views in Sydney – has been shuttered, with the future of the site now in question.
Whyalla to restart steelmaking after blast furnace breakthrough
The Whyalla steelworks should recommence normal steelmaking soon after its damaged blast furnace hit a key milestone on the road to recovery.
Myer bid provides headroom for loyalty scheme to grow
Myer’s bid to merge with Solomon Lew’s clothing operations would create Australia’s largest retail tenant and presents new CEO Olivia Wirth with a huge opportunity.
Healius downgrades profit outlook again
Healius has downgraded its profit outlook for a second time, with this year’s result now more than a third lower than expected in November.
Myer’s radical plan is all about Solomon Lew
The billionaire retailer is calling all the shots in Oliva Wirth’s audacious bid for the department store to get bigger.
Wirth plays to her strengths with Apparel Brands bid
Olivia Wirth is looking to make her mark in the top role at Myer and has wasted no time in scoping out a path to higher earnings through loyalty, margins, and sheer heft.
Victoria’s gas crisis a decade in the making
Millions of dollars have been spent exploring what is thought to be a gas-rich region, with little to show but frustration. Victoria needs to encourage new exploration instead of clinging to El Dorado.
China versus India: where share investors should focus
The stock market popularity contest between the world’s most populous nations has one clear winner, but the future is clouded.
Barefoot says diamonds are a rough decision for today’s buyers
Barefoot Investor Scott Pape says diamond rings are decades-long marketing con job, as much cheaper lab-grown stones emerge.
Penfolds lays out China plans on the back of record vintage
Penfolds will soon have 200 staff on the ground in China as it aims to aggressively grow the recently reopened market, on the back of a record Australian vintage.
The $6300 tax break that property investors miss
Real estate investors are battling high interest rates like other borrowers, but many have a way to claw back big bucks.
Adelaide software firm sells for more than $US100m
An Adelaide software company specialising in risk and compliance has sold to a US firm for more than $US100m.
Why CEOs don’t want Dutton’s nuclear disruption
For business, nuclear represents a solution to a problem that is set to be solved by the time the first reactor is switched on.
SA the top Aussie region at global wine awards
An old vine grenache from McLaren Vale is among the top Australian drops to win a prestigious global gong – with South Australia our best performing wine region.
Analysts divided on Beach Energy’s fortunes
Is Beach Energy a Buy or a Sell? Analysts are divided after a strategic review which failed to inspire.
Expansion of one of our largest wind farms begins
The Golden Plains wind farm in Victoria is just months from producing its first electricity, and the developer says it has already started work on expanding the facility.
Hundreds of jobs at risk as food supplier calls in administrators
A national supplier of salads and fresh produce to Coles and Woolworths, has been placed in voluntary administration, with a sale or restructure of the business on the cards.
Three reasons this interest rate cycle is weirder than usual
Despite thirteen interest rate rises since May 2022 and some economists tipping more by the Reserve Bank board, things are not happening as they should. Here’s why.
Yasser Shahin wins Le Mans 24 Hour
Former head of OTR, Yasser Shahin has taken the flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France winning the new GT3 class driving a Porsche.
Investors: how to turbocharge your refund
A tax time windfall awaits for investors and small business owners who follow these experts’ end-of-financial-year tips.
Mighty turnaround plans for game developer
Game developer Mighty Kingdom had a near-death experience last year, but new chief executive, industry veteran David Yin, has high hopes for the company.
Embattled Country Road Group defends hiring CEO’s daughter
Angry staff at the scandal-plagued Country Road Group have raised concerns about the Australian CEO’s daughter and a family friend being hired for roles at the retailer.
Integral Diagnostics in merger talks with Capitol Health
Integral Diagnostics and Capitol Health are looking to merge into a circa-$950m pure-play imaging company, and analysts like what they see.
Gillon McLachlan appointed Tabcorp chief executive
The former AFL boss will take over the top job at Melbourne-based wagering giant Tabcorp, picking up a base pay of $1.5m and the opportunity to earn far more in incentive payments.
The common smartphone app that’s ripping you off
Barefoot Investor Scott Pape says consumers are being overcharged by technology when they pay for things.
Telstra’s big call on carbon offsets
Critics of the Climate Active scheme believe Telstra’s withdrawal could prompt others to follow suit, and ultimately spark an overhaul of carbon offset schemes.
Telstra ditches carbon offsets and carbon neutral
The federal government’s Climate Active program will lose its largest single player, with Telstra walking away from labelling mobile phone plans as carbon neutral and using carbon offsets.
Time to stop passing the buck
Treasurer Jim Chalmers needs to take a close look in the mirror to see the real reason Aussies are doing it tough.
The evil of inflation deepens
A nasty new edge to the pain of inflation has emerged in recent years, widening the gap between the haves and the have nots.
Probe into SkyCity’s Adelaide casino licence back on
The independent investigation had been put on hold while the casino operator finalised its money laundering penalty with regulator Austrac.
Time for investors to use their (real) brains
The rise of AI and swollen valuations of the Nasdaq ‘Magnificent Seven’ mean it’s more important than ever for investors to think carefully, says Tim Boreham.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/victoria-business