Gold initially up on Fed pause signals
Gold prices rose to hit a peak in more than a week overnight on signs that the US Federal Reserve will likely be patient on further interest rate rises, but rallying global equities kept the metal’s gains in check. Spot gold was up 0.1 per cent at $US1,311.29 per ounce overnight, having touched their highest…
Diversification is better than a crystal ball
When the history books are written, they leave out the bits that didn’t matter and line up in orderly rows what is now seen as significant, even if it was overlooked at the time. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear what was and what was not important. In real time, of course, it is…
Facebook overhauls privacy settings amid data breach outcry
Facebook on Wednesday launched a fresh effort to quell the firestorm over the hijacking of personal data, unveiling new privacy tools and settings aiming to give users more control over how their information is shared. The new features follow fierce criticism of the social network giant after it was revealed that the personal data of…
Gold stocks in new bull market
The gold miners’ stocks have already enjoyed a phenomenal year, blasting higher with gold’s new bull market. This sector’s market-dominating performance has been amazing. Yet incredibly, the gold stocks are only now entering their strongest time of the year seasonally. Historically during bull-market years the gold stocks have enjoyed massive autumn rallies on average, starting…
Coles in grocery world-first with eBay
Coles has become the first supermarket anywhere to sell directly on eBay. The Australian supermarket giant’s shopfront with the e-commerce behometh launched on Wednesday with a range of more than 4,000 products across categories including fresh food, personal care and household goods. While Coles already offers online shopping through its own website, it hopes to…
NAB sidelines Ken Henry in CEO search
NAB has removed Ken Henry from the decision-making process in the search for a new chief executive. The bank said on Wednesday that Dr Henry, who quit with CEO Andrew Thorburn after both were named and shamed in Kenneth Hayne’s final royal commission report, would play no role in the search. The bank has formed…
Australian shares tipped to start higher
The Australian share market is expected to tick higher on Tuesday but any gains could be short-lived ahead of the expected release of the final recommendations of the banking royal commission. The commission’s report is due to be handed to the federal government on Friday and publicly released soon after, although the exact timing is…
CommSec Daily Report Thursday
Latest NewsIn an uneventful start to the session, local shares have been treading water in the early part of trade on Thursday. The ASX 200 index traded in a tight range in the morning but is trading at its best levels approaching lunch, up 10 points or 0.2% higher to 5854.Improvements have been led by…
Labor looking at electoral funding reform
Labor leader Bill Shorten has repeated calls for a lower threshold on disclosing political donations amid reports his party is considering making sweeping changes to the system if it wins government. Under current arrangements, donors giving $13,000 and above must be identified but Labor wants the threshold dropped to $1000 which would match party rules….
Ghosn appeals against Japan bail rejection
Lawyers for former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn on Thursday appealed against a decision by a Tokyo court to refuse him bail, as he faces charges on three counts of financial misconduct.Since his stunning arrest on November 19 the auto tycoon has languished in a Tokyo detention centre, facing questioning over allegations he under-reported his salary…
