ECONOMY

The profitability of Australia's banks, which at one point were worth more than the whole of the European banking sector, may not last as margins are under pressure on two counts.

A cooling property market has pushed renovation costs up by a whopping 8.11% for NSW homeowners.

Studies show that outsiders have a higher likelihood of getting dismissed within the first three years of taking on the job. Evidence further shows that outsider CEOs often fail to deliver the expected turnaround of the organisation.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull questioned whether the benefits of increasing the GST would be worth the difficulties of doing so.

China National Chemical Corporation is pursuing a US$43 billion (AU$61bn) takeover of a major Swiss agricultural firm, Syngenta, marking the largest acquisition ever made by a Chinese company.

Australians are swapping mortgage forms for credit card and personal loan applications, with consumer credit demand rising 9.7 percent in the December quarter of 2015, as compared to the same period in 2014.

Australia should not be complacent about maintaining its top credit rating, which depends on achieving budget repair and a more diverse economy, Treasury secretary John Fraser has said.

After a rocky few weeks for Australian financial markets, China’s latest economic data release should come as a relief.

It’s a world in conflict where people are unsure of the future as income disparity rises and world leaders are discussing key issues at the Davos meeting 2016.

Some of the towns affected by the bushfires in Victoria remain closed and the exact economic damage of the incident is still being calculated.

Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would wait for the government to reach a decision on the suggested Sunday penalty rates changes.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute, Bill Shorten criticised PM Malcolm Turnbull for sticking with Tony Abbott’s climate policy ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit in Paris.

The dropping value of iron ore is likely to impact producers that sell their products at higher rates.

Matthew Rimmer, Professor at QUT, argues that the TPP could undermine the UN’s efforts to promote sustainable development and equality throughout the Pacific region.

Online scammers continue to mislead Australians into applying for fake loans by pretending to be legitimate Australian loan lenders.

Studies have speculated that premiums for driverless cars could be reduced by 75%, especially if liability is shifted from drivers to manufacturers and technology companies.

Donald Trump wants to go against Hillary Clinton and dishes on his race and competitors.

The fading boom can be good news for home buyers as prices become more 'realistic'.

The expansion of nuclear power is creating the opportunity for Australia to become the world's top uranium supplier, says a new Minerals Council report.

OPEC and non-OPEC members met in a meeting at its Vienna headquarters to discuss the risks associated with lowering oil costs.

Australia's biggest telco is planning an overseas expansion plan, starting with Asia.

The Australian property market prices will soon ease off, predicts SQM Research in its Housing Boom and Bust report.

China’s economic growth slides below 7 percent, leaving senior economists worried.

Major Murray Report changes include the regulation of credit card surcharges, strengthening of banks’ capital reserves, and freedom for workers to choose their own superannuation fund

Retail giants Woolworths and Coles may face strong competition from Costco, whose low-price strategy and broad range of products are driving more competition in Australia's supermarket and fuel industry.

The proposal to sell SA Water has been put forward to ensure a stable economy in Australia.

Following a record of high profitabilty, Qantas Airways has increased the fares of its international flights.

Heightened investor's activity has resulted in the housing price surge and increased the risk of significant price falls later.

The focus of RCEP will be deeper economic cooperation, trade and investment.