PM uses critical minerals as bargaining chip in Trump tariff war
Australia is using its supply of critical minerals as leverage with the Trump Administration, in a bid to avoid a second wave of tariffs.
Wall Street tech rout echoes across the ASX, crushing returns
The long and brutal slide in Tesla shares has left big money managers including Pinnacle and Magellan Financial, along with super funds, wearing big losses.
US inflation cools in February
A weaker than expected inflation result showed CPI increased 2.8 per cent in February, boosting chances of a Federal Reserve rate cut.
Former Woolworths chief Brad Banducci to run Ticketek owner TEG
The businessman will take over from long-serving Geoff Jones, who will become chairman of the entertainment group owned by private equity firm Silver Lake.
Scott Farquhar to succeed Robyn Denholm as Tech Council chair
The Atlassian co-founder is taking his first major role since stepping down from his company and will become Australia’s top tech lobbyist.
‘We’re not embarrassed’: Tesla owners shrug off Musk stigma
There’s no need for a sticker saying ‘I Bought This Before Elon Went Crazy’ on a Tesla for these owners, who think the car is wonderful.
Dalio sees 1930s Germany in Trump trade war
The Bridgewater Associates founder says the world is witnessing an extension of the patterns of history.
Breaking news on companies, politics and economics, in your inbox as it happens.
TRADE WAR
Australia must get ahead, not get angry, on trade
The real danger of Trump’s tariffs lies in the global economic impacts and global reactions, especially overreactions.
‘We’re not embarrassed’: Tesla owners shrug off Musk stigma
There’s no need for a sticker saying ‘I Bought This Before Elon Went Crazy’ on a Tesla for these owners, who think the car is wonderful.
EU retaliates with tariffs on $45b of US goods
The European Union hit back against Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium within hours of them taking effect, escalating a global trade war.
Trump’s tariffs were inevitable. But Albanese could have done more
Levies on Australian steel and aluminium to the US starting on Wednesday will have domestic political fallout.
In this trade war, one thing is even more damaging than the tariffs
Australia risks getting caught in a double-barrelled Trump hit, as stocks and bonds are battered by uncertainty and fears of an economic slowdown.
Companies
Dairy giant Fonterra’s consumer IPO could raise $1b to $2b: sources
Advisors to the New Zealand dairy giant are booking in meetings with investors from next week ahead of a planned IPO for the company, known as Mainland.
We taught Macquarie how to do mortgages: ING boss
The Dutch giant wants to chase its copy-cat in mortgages and business lending, in another indication of the red-hot competition the big four banks face.
Independent expert says Northern Star paying top dollar for gold rival
The soaring price of the precious metal, buoyed by global economic uncertainty, has allowed the local mining giant to build a big war chest and pay a premium.
Silk, directors singled out in AusSuper death benefits failure
As ASIC chairman Joe Longo called big super the “poster child” for governance failures, the watchdog launched a case in the Federal Court against the biggest provider.
Queensland prepares to publish damning report on Star’s HK partner
The state government says it has not received any formal notice from Star about plans to offload the Queen’s Wharf casino to its two main Hong Kong investors.
David Paradice, Ashok Jacob back electric truck hopeful’s ASX run
Janus Electric, run by former Citi banker Ian Campbell, is raising $10 million and heading for the local sharemarket through a backdoor listing.
Rio investor warns it faces a Brexit moment with London-listing vote
WaveStone Capital has almost $10 billion in assets under management and says a push to end the mining giant’s primary UK listing will only enrich bankers.
Companies in the News
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Markets
Trump’s tariff mayhem creates a lucrative commodity trade
Anxiety about imminent levies on copper has triggered a spike in New York-traded prices, causing traders to scramble to ship the metal to the US.
ASX drops 1.3pc; Trump steel, aluminium tariffs take effect
Shares extended losses; no exemption for Aussie steel, aluminium US exports; major banks and mining giants sell-off; European Union to impose counter tariffs.
Australians pour money into cash and bonds as markets panic
Fixed income and cash focused exchange-traded funds have recorded a bump in net flows as investors seek shelter from intense sharemarket volatility.
Biggest losers from Trump slump are the billionaires who backed him
Companies owned by the moguls lining up to support the US president have lost $US1.43 trillion in market value since his inauguration.
Why the ASX has avoided the worst of Wall Street’s sell-off
The adage is that when America sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold. But the market isn’t trading that way.
Opinion
Australia must get ahead, not get angry, on trade
The real danger of Trump’s tariffs lies in the global economic impacts and global reactions, especially overreactions.
Former finance minister
The 210 per cent insurance tax you didn’t know you were paying
Despite the Henry Tax Review wanting them scrapped, taxes on insurance premiums continue to distort the market, writes Alexander Sanchez.
Economist
Trump’s tariff shock must shake Canberra’s complacency
If the president’s actions spark a tit-for-tat global trade war the damage to Australia’s economy could be substantial.
Editorial
Trump’s tariffs hit markets and politics
It is now clear to world leaders and Wall Street that the president’s version of transactional politics includes the blunt reality of universal levies rather than just the threat of them as a negotiating tactic.
Columnist
How Albanese can fight Trump’s tariffs
Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium are more of a political headache for Anthony Albanese than an economic problem for Australia.
Economics editor
We shouldn’t hit back on tariffs – it would just hurt us more
Despite the $1 billion hit, it would be self-defeating to retaliate in kind against Donald Trump’s refusal to exclude Australia from his 25 per cent global levy.
Editor-at-large
Reports
AFR Women to Watch 2025
Meet the next generation of leaders in key sectors of the economy – financial services, technology, energy & sustainability, legal & consulting and education & public service.
Politics
Instead of gaining teal seats, Dutton could lose another one
Liberals are targeting three Sydney electorates, Bradfield, Mackellar and Warringah on cost of living, but there’s little buyer’s remorse in electorates that sent teals to Canberra.
High Court expands native title rights in historic ruling
The High Court unanimously ruled that the extinguishment of native title rights should attract compensation under “just terms” from the federal government.
Perth business elite will back Libs over Chaney: Barnett
Perth’s business elite have grown tired of teal independent Kate Chaney, former premier Colin Barnett believes.
Wind farm companies have been ‘arrogant’: Holmes a Court
Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court says many large-scale renewables projects had not adequately consulted local communities.
‘Superhuman’: Sea World staff slept at work to keep dolphins safe
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred crept towards south-east Queensland, Sea World set in motion a massive operation to ensure the park’s dolphins were safe.
SPONSORED
World
EU retaliates with tariffs on $45b of US goods
The European Union hit back against Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium within hours of them taking effect, escalating a global trade war.
Japan doubles down on warnings to Australian gas exporters
A senior executive from power giant JERA warned that Australian companies’ preferred supplier status was at risk because of rising costs and regulation.
Democracy dies in dumbness
Donald Trump’s trade war will end in disaster. What else isn’t going to end well, at least for the administration? Let’s make a list.
‘Two to tango’: Trump challenges Putin to sign Ukraine peace deal
American and Ukrainian officials emerged from talks in Saudi Arabia with a plan for a 30-day halt to the war, putting the ball in Russia’s court.
The only question now is how Trump gets rid of Musk
Having given the billionaire more power than any private figure in US history, the president is watching his benefactor turn into an albatross.
Property
The growing problem facing Australia’s ‘broken’ housing market
Private credit has backed housing development as banks retreated, but new and smaller players are taking on projects that may never be finished, says a report.
Melbourne’s home buyers turn bullish after rate cut
The city’s housing market recovery is forecast to gather steam as buyers embrace a better borrowing environment.
Barwon raises $150m for healthcare real estate
With a diverse mix of labs, clinics and hospitals, the Barwon fund’s portfolio is carefully set up to weather challenges in the healthcare sector.
The AI surge: 175 new data centres and $26b in investment
The number of devices connected to the internet in each household is expected to double by 2023, fuelling a big rollout in data centres.
Kirribilli penthouse with $65m price tag aims to rival city’s finest
There are hopes a boutique apartment project on Sydney’s lower north shore will reset the national square metre price record with an ultra-luxe penthouse.
Wealth
The $400,000 gap putting Alfred victims on notice
Widespread underpayments by insurance companies in the 2022 Victorian floods mean claimants should look carefully at what their insurer first offers.
Why now might be the right time to add to your property portfolio
For established property owners this window presents a unique opportunity to put their equity to work.
We’re helping our son buy a home with his girlfriend. What if they split?
Giving your kids a hand to get on the property ladder can be complicated if there’s another party involved.
Technology
Meta begins testing its first AI training chip to challenge Nvidia
The Facebook owner is testing its first in-house chip for training artificial intelligence systems, a key milestone as it moves to reduce reliance on external suppliers.
Apple prepares dramatic software overhaul for iPhone, iPad and Mac
The revamp – due this year – will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems, updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons.
This machine can bring out the creative streak you never knew you had
The new Cricut Maker 4 is fun and addictive, and ought to come with a warning to that effect.
Work & Careers
‘Childish behaviour’: Judge chides Barrenjoey banker, Seven producer
A former Seven Network producer will avoid a criminal conviction after charges of assaulting her high-profile Barrenjoey banker husband were dismissed.
Penalty rates battle could leave retail workers $5k worse off: union
The retail union has argued that workers rostered on nights and weekends could be left $4000 to $5000 worse under employers’ proposal to buy out their penalty rates.
Life & Luxury
A Canadian estate sale bargain is about to deliver a 200 times return
A wood carving snapped up at an estate clearance for the price of lunch turns out to be something quite rare and valuable.
Meet the actor in whom Ruth Bader Ginsburg lives on
Heather Mitchell is reviving the crowning role of her long career, playing the US Supreme Court judge in RBG: Of Many, One.
Manchester United leaving Old Trafford for new $3b venue
The historic stadium has comfortably the league’s highest capacity at over 74,000, but its leaky roof and other deteriorating facilities have aged badly.
‘Thankful’ Scolyer surprised to be alive despite brain cancer’s return
But the former Australian of the Year says “I feel devastated and upset” after prolonging his life with a revolutionary treatment.
How doing it like the 1pc rekindled my love of skiing
Goggles polished, pastries offered and pre-heated boots clipped on for me – at this glam French resort, the joys of alpine jet-setting kick off even before you hit the powder.
