Picks of the Week
In this week’s essential reading guide, Bartholomeusz analyses BHP’s dividend decision and Gottliebsen tackles the culture of business bribery.
A big step forward in the battle against bribery
Robert Gottliebsen
Ai Group’s statement makes it difficult for the body to oppose the government’s proposed draconian jail sentences for directors and executives who pay bribes to unions.
Australia’s fertile ground spawns a childcare boom
Florence Chong
A growing number of investors are pouring money into childcare centres across Australia, but those after capital gains will have to be patient.
How to tackle corporate short-termism
Stephen Bartholomeusz
In a post-crisis climate driven by yield-hungry investors, encouraging companies to invest for the long term will require a lot more than talk.
Britain weighs Brexit dilemma
Amber Plum
The release of a settlement proposal represents progress, but it could still prove unpopular with British voters.
The Fed’s market feedback loop
Miranda Maxwell
Central bank rate-setters in the US and Australia are watching the market for signals, as well as vice versa.
Westpac finds the secret to boosting productivity
Victoria Thieberger
In an effort to retain both male and female staff, the bank has taken giant steps to break down the old 9-to-5 work day.
Facebook’s lethal threat to conventional media
Robert Gottliebsen
If media outlets are to survive in the digital age, they’ll need to find strategies that enable them to prosper around Facebook’s volume dominance.
Most commented
SMSF residential property loans: their days may be numbered
Miranda Maxwell
Banks are quietly clamping down on property loans to SMSF investors.
Most read
Housing is the top worry for BlackRock
Victoria Thieberger
The world’s biggest fund manager says housing has been critical to Australia’s transition from the mining boom, but the sector now looks ‘fragile’.
Bank fee scandal bill mounts
Provisions by the finance sector for its fees-for-no-service scandal continue to grind towards $2bn and there’s more to come.
NAB ban beats Canberra heat
The Hayne report continues to make waves with NAB banning introducer payments ahead of a parliamentary grilling.
A dividend decision looms for BHP
Stephen Bartholomeusz
As the commodity outlook sours, BHP’s commitment to its credit rating would make the miner very cautious about taking on more debt to fund its dividend payout.