Super members have good reason to be optimistic about what 2020 might deliver to their balances but they should not expect the same fat returns as last year, a research house says.
Oil prices climbed overnight after five days of declines as the United States and China prepared to sign a preliminary trade deal and as Middle East tensions eased.
Former Wesfarmers executive Terry Bowen is planning to reduce his involvement at private equity group BGH Capital after taking an expanded board role at BHP and joining the board of Transurban.
Australians buying homes with at least a seven-star energy rating will be eligible for discounted loans under a new scheme through the federal government's green bank.
Curious Planet, formerly known as Australian Geographic, will close all 63 of its stores in Australia over the next eight weeks after the owner's administrators were unable to find a suitable buyer for the struggling retailer.
Copper prices overnight hit their highest point since May as traders awaited the signing of a US-China Phase 1 trade deal and Chinese data that will show whether a pick-up in economic activity has been maintained.
Oil prices fell about 1 per cent overnight as Middle East tensions eased and investors turned their focus to lackluster seasonal demand following last week's bearish US report showing a large fuel stockbuilds.
The federal government has announced a $50 million emergency fund to address the loss of wildlife during the nation's bushfire season, as more Australian businesses have pledged millions in combined donations.
Oil fell below $US65 a barrel overnight in its first weekly loss since late November, erasing the week's risk premium added since a US drone strike killed a top Iranian general as investors focused on rising US inventories and other signs of ample supply.
Gold edged higher overnight, and was on track to post a weekly gain for fifth straight week, as fresh sanctions on Iran by the United States stoked uncertainty supporting demand for the bullion.
Toyota, Mazda and Suzuki are the latest manufacturers to voluntarily recall cars with the potentially deadly Takata NADI 5-AT airbags, and are offering to buy the vehicles back.
The Eyre Highway, the only sealed road linking South Australia and Western Australia, has reopened after it was closed for nearly two weeks due to bushfires.
The Australian share market has broken through its all-time high, with the health care and consumer staples sectors the best performers during morning trade.
Oil prices retreated further overnight, adding to sharp losses in the previous session as the market shifted focus toward rising US crude stocks and away from worries about the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation has committed $70 million to Australia's bushfire response, far exceeding the contributions made by big companies across the country.
Australia's trade surplus widened to $5.8 billion in November, with the 42 per cent increase fuelled by higher mining exports and a likely weakening of domestic demand.
The West African nation of Senegal has authorised its first oil development, the $US4.2 billion Sangomar offshore oil project, operator Woodside Petroleum has announced.
