Mike Smith

Topics Companies, People, Special Events

News and interviews on Mike Smith including trends, features, blogs and community conversations from an Australian business perspective.

Friday, 29 October 2010

Banks go on the attack as Senate approves banking inquiry

ANZ chief likens shadow treasurer to Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez

Banking competition must increase

The Senate inquiry into the banking sector is a good idea – we need all the help we can get to lift banking competition.

Banking competition must increase

The Senate inquiry into the banking sector is a good idea – we need all the help we can get to lift banking competition.

Thursday, 28 October 2010

ANZ profit rises 53%, Senate to conduct banking inquiry: Economy roundup

ANZ CEO says Joe Hockey’s comments a “shame”, Coalition teams up with Nick Xenophon in the senate to launch inquiry and Australian shares up despite negative overseas leads

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Is the RBA losing control? Bartholomeusz

Amid a growing disconnect between market and official interest rates, the RBA is at risk of conceding its control of monetary policy to the banks. Just one force stands in the way.

Wednesday, 06 October 2010

ANZ introduces new childcare allowance, but SMEs will struggle to match offer

ANZ announces a new childcare allowance worth $4,000 in order to promote top-tier talent returning to work after taking paid parental leave.

Friday, 20 August 2010

ANZ quarterly profit up 37% to $1.3 billion, Billabong profit falls: Economy Roundup

Foster's non-executive director Christine Nixon has stepped down from her position merely months after she joined the company board.

Friday, 30 April 2010

Woolworths shocks market by lowering sales guidance: Economy Roundup

Woolworths announces a 4.7% improvement in third quarter sales, but surprises the market by lowering its full year sales forecast due to inflationary pressures.

Thursday, 29 April 2010

Rudd flags tax cuts in Henry Review: Economy Roundup

Atlas Iron has says it will raise $63.5 million in capital in order to fund an increase in iron ore production and shipments in the second half of 2010.

Friday, 26 February 2010

Harvey Norman profit up 60%, Shares move higher: Economy Roundup

Retail giant Harvey Norman has recorded a 60% rise in first-half profit to $158.9 million after recording just $99.3 million in the previous corresponding period.

Tuesday, 08 December 2009

Current account deficit jumps, Bernanke cautious on US recovery: Economy Roundup

Westpac's CEO Gail Kelly has defended the bank's decision to lift its variable home lending rate by 45 basis points last week,

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Shares fall 2% as Wall Street slides, ANZ cash profit rises: Economy Roundup

ANZ shares fall 1.7% to $22.95 as the bank announced its bad debt cycle is likely to continue through the current financial year.

Monday, 26 October 2009

Land values rise during June quarter, Shares fall: Economy Roundup

Reports circulating the Government could consider some restraints on Telstra’s future growth if an agreement regarding the company’s structural separation is reached within six weeks.

Friday, 23 October 2009

Wesfarmers announces good sales growth at Coles, Shares higher: Economy Roundup

ANZ Banking Group is launching a new brand that will cost $15 million with the company now aiming to reposition itself as a leading regional bank.

Monday, 28 September 2009

Stevens calls for stimulus wind-down, David Jones chief welcomes Myer IPO: Economy Roundup

Telstra’s managing director of the group’s consumer division, David Moffat, has stepped down after nearly 10 years with the company.

Friday, 25 September 2009

ANZ buys out ING Australia, ConnectEast shares placed in trading halt: Economy Roundup

ANZ announces it will buy out its joint venture partner ING Australia for $1.8 billion.

Monday, 31 August 2009

Pressure of RBA to lift rates as inflation gauge falls: Economy Roundup

A new report suggests Australia will now become “the Middle East of gas” due to increasing demand for natural gas reserves throughout Asia.

Thursday, 06 August 2009

Economy has reached bottom, ANZ boss says: Economy roundup

Optus has launched a tender for the first stages of the Government’s National Broadband Network.

Tuesday, 04 August 2009

Retail sales drop 1.4%, House price index jumps 4.2%: Economy roundup

As part of a push into Southeast Asia, ANZ Banking Group has made a deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy some of its Asian businesses for around $687 million.