Sodali: a spin cycle with a twist
Mega deals to unite two of Australia’s best connected corporate spinners under the Sodali brand have proved a tough sell.
Business
Sealed over sushi: How Star’s survival plan was hatched
Casino boss Soo Kim is prepared to bet on himself and drive the change needed to succeed where others have failed. But can Star’s saviour really do it?
Trump-induced market chaos brings opportunity
One of Australia’s leading stockbrokers, Ord Minnett chief executive Karl Morris, says there will be more turmoil to come for world markets with Donald Trump in the White House.
Hardie v the market: inside the ASX’s most despised deal
After the asbestos scandal, building materials giant James Hardie is in hot water again, this time with shareholders who have been frozen out of a controversial takeover of US rival Azek.
![Former Blackbay Lawyers partner Justin Carroll(L) and Yianni Van Gelder [4:3]](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/58b576216b49e62ff4f380dabc6760b8?width=650)
‘Shocked’ law firm was warned of anti-Semitism
BlackBay said it was ‘shocked’ by the ‘abhorrent views and comments’ that have emerged in a lawsuit filed against two former staff members, but the firm did have prior knowledge.
Markets remain volatile amid trade war aftershocks
It was another day of extreme volatility as the effects of a massive hike in US tariffs continued to be felt even after Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause.
Brothers deliver on family furniture legacy
McPhails in Wangaratta has battled through the death of its family patriarch and the Covid lockdowns to become a thriving business.
Dexus to sell stake in $1.6bn Sydney mall after court loss
The property group’s funds management ambitions have taken a hit after two of the country’s biggest super players took it on in court and were vindicated on appeal.
Commentary
RETIREMENT
Superstar Schroder has work to do
Paul Schroder, the boss of Australia’s largest super fund, has a major challenge ahead to develop AustralianSuper into a member-service-driven payments company.
WEALTH
Tariffs or not, value always wins in the end
We’ve seen markets behave similarly during Covid and the GFC, and good value stocks always retain their appeal — even if investors must be more discerning.
COMMENTARY
Lambo series a grand day out for ordinary billionaires
Last weekend, when you were glued to Max Verstappen’s F1 masterclass at Suzuka, the racing series for people with half a mill or so to throw around roared to life in Goulburn.
Olympic boost: Brisbane tower hits the market
Funds manager ISPT is counting on the Olympic Games effect to spark interest in an office tower it is selling in the Queensland capital.
Stockland nabs Waterloo deal amid housing crunch
Property developers are getting back into large-scale housing developments to address the housing crisis. But they are taking very different approaches.
Trade turmoil could spark rush to real estate as rates fall
The dramatic market moves will reshape the commercial property landscape. Here a panel of experts reveal what to expect.
Spotlight
US casino mogul may keep Queen’s Wharf
Bally’s boss Soo Kim is exploring options to remain involved in Star’s prized Queen’s Wharf casino precinct as either owner or operator.
Beach life beckons with rare waterfront opportunity in Cronulla
A $20m-plus price tag on Cronulla’s only available beachfront house is proving no deterrent for prospective buyers.
US falling out of favour with Aussie travellers
Latest travel figures show just how far America has slumped on the list of destinations Australians book for international trips.
Canva sexes up spreadsheets, revenue soars to $3bn
Australia’s visual communications darling is intensifying its push into the lucrative enterprise market, unveiling a new spreadsheet app as part of its biggest product launch yet.
Worst self-inflicted wound: Wall St jitters back as China trade war sinks in
US stock declines accelerated after the White House said tariffs imposed on China add up to 145 per cent and a former Fed boss called Trump’s shifting policy the worst hit to a well-functioning economy.
Prada Strikes $2.2 billion deal for Versace
Deal talks had been dragging on with market turmoil.
SMSFs need to lift their game on cybersecurity
The spectacular cyber attack on super was aimed at larger funds – but SMSFs are equally exposed to new risks – here’s what to do.
The most common inheritance mistakes and how to avoid them
Your inheritance planning is crucial, avoid these basic errors to help your nearest and dearest.
Investors win round one in the tariff turmoil… now what?
Advisers say don’t change your investment settings, but this does not mean bargain-hunting won’t pay handsomely — and this week it’s been very profitable.
Fighter pilot accused of training Chinese air force has assets frozen
Should Aussies who train up Chinese fighter pilots for combat go to jail? The law isn’t clear. But, ducking tax on the millions you earn doing it will get you into real trouble.
Climate 200 juiced up on Kremlin
Independent Climate 200-backed MPs reckon they’re the best friend the Jewish community has in Canberra but don’t mind their benefactor appearing to be part of the Kremlin cheer squad.
Ex-Lib needs salary alms to survive in the Holy Land
One-time Lib rising star Tim Smith’s car-crash career has taken him to Israel as a political adviser, where apparently he’s so poorly paid he has people at home seeking top-up ‘donations’.
ACU drops ‘Jewish’ from centre’s name
Officials at the embattled Australian Catholic University are set to discuss a new project’s name, but they’re worried about including the word ‘Jewish’ in case of a donor backlash. Seems very narrow-minded to us.
CFO Journal
The 6 disruptive tech trends CFOs need to know about
CFOs need to be on the front foot by aligning innovation with financial strategy. Keeping track of important trends in technology will help them achieve competitive edge and growth.
How a CFO’s modular leadership approach can unlock business potential
By loosening their grip on power, CFOs may ultimately feel more in control of ensuring the company’s vitality.
Four moves Australian CFOs can make to get the most of sustainability reporting
The movement towards widespread climate reporting laws remains a global long-term trend. Given Australia is out in front, our focus is on supporting business to get to compliance and drive future strategic advantage through these no-regret moves.
CFOs and decision-making fatigue: A whirlwind of implications
After years of difficult decision-making, CFOs can be forgiven for feeling decision fatigue. Discover the disadvantages finance executives face when they get frozen by indecision — and what they can do to return to making bold moves in a timely fashion.
AI Journal
How skills and talent diversity can drive business success
Women comprise just 30 per cent of the Australian technology workforce. Reskilling more women into technology occupations is good for women and good for business.
Scaling Agentic AI is business transformation – not just a tech project
The speed of AI adoption will be set by organisations’ speed of change. Businesses with the most organisational flexibility and readiness to adapt will be positioned to realise the most value.
Data breach for 10,000 current and former uni students
It comes as the personal information of an unknown number of WSU members appears to have been posted to the dark web – the latest in a number of ‘persistent and targeted’ cyber attacks.
Rovo and Rovers: Mike Cannon-Brookes wants to go to Mars
The Atlassian billionaire is hatching his own plans to go to Mars – well at least sell software there – and already has a head start on Elon Musk to fulfil a long-held dream.
‘Kicking kids when they’re down’: Meta preys on insecure teens
The owner of Facebook and Instagram is allegedly targeting vulnerable teenagers with a barrage of advertisements based on their emotional state, igniting harm, a US Senate inquiry hears.
Clean energy company raises $127m to take technology global
Renewables pioneer RayGen Resources says the $127m Series D funding it’s raised is among the largest clean energy technology capital raisings ever in Australia.
HCF readies for ad agency review as Clems senior staff exodus continues
Health insurance company HCF has severed ties with ad agency Clemenger BBDO following an agency merger and an exodus of senior leadership staff.
Former Nine boss finds home on global stage
Former Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby has popped up in the Middle East, taking on his first role since departing the Australian media giant last year.
Wilkinson slams Lehrmann’s rape appeal
Ex-Seven producer hits out over Thai massage claims
Cost-centre or growth driver? Creativity’s role in financial success
Meet the team
Vesna Poljak
Vesna Poljak is The Australian’s Business editor, based in Sydney. She was previously Companies and Markets editor at The Australian Financial Review.
Amber Plum
A longstanding member of The Australian and The Australian Business Network, Amber joined the masthead as Deputy Business Editor in 2016 and was promoted in 2023.
Louise Brannelly
Louise has over 20 years of experience as a national content editor and business journalist. Louise is skilled in identifying and analysing audience trends with keen insight to deliver compelling journalism.
Sunshine has golden glow for big name investor
At Lion Selection Group, Hedley Widdup is at the helm of one of Australia’s top junior gold investors. Here’s where Lion is upping its stake.
Biotech stocks soar on Trump tariff turnaround
With the prospect of a special pharmaceutical tariff receding, biotech stocks are having their time in the sun.
Orthocell is off and running in the US nerve-repair market
Having won US Food & Drug Administration approval for its novel nerve repair agent Remplir, Orthocell is wasting no time in getting it to market.
ASX stocks await US manufacturing drive
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ movement has hammered equities, but these ASX stocks are positioning for a US manufacturing boom.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business