Sigma Healthcare enjoyed a strong debut as a merged entity with Chemist Warehouse, marking a significant milestone for the pharmaceutical industry. The S&P/ASX 200 edged up 4.7 points, or 0.1 per cent, briefly touching an intraday peak of 8575.20 points. Mining stocks offset losses in eight of the 11 industry…

While inflation appears to be easing, analysts caution that a rise in unemployment is possible when the latest jobs data is released on February 20. Businesses across the country are struggling with a combination of declining revenues and rising costs. The latest reports from Deloitte Access Economics, JP Morgan, and…

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2 per cent in the December 2024 quarter. This marks a significant decline from the peak of 7.8 cent observed two years prior. Experts have adjusted their forecasts in response to this news, and many are…

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, new house starts rose in the September 2024 quarter. However, the figure was far below what is required to meet the annual target of 240,000 homes. The September quarter saw 43,247 new housing starts, a 4.6 per cent increase from…

In recent years, cybercrime has emerged as a significant threat to businesses worldwide, with accounting firms in Australia being particularly vulnerable. The sensitive financial data handled by these firms makes them prime targets for cybercriminals employing increasingly sophisticated tactics. Rising incidence of cybercrime According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s…

The benchmark ASX 200 index slipped 0.22 per cent to close at 8,213.30 points, while the broader All Ordinaries shed 0.18 per cent to finish at 8,456.80 points. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar held steady at 61.88 US cents. Investor sentiment wavered throughout the day, with traders awaiting the release of…

Audit activity by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other government revenue authorities are frequently triggered by targeted crackdowns, driven using sophisticated data matching and advanced artificial intelligence tools. These technologies allow the ATO and other government revenue authorities to identify discrepancies and areas of interest with remarkable precision. As…

Economists representing all major financial institutions projected that house prices would rise by 3 per cent on the annual average in accordance with some combined trends. These trends include affordability, buyer attitudes, and economic issues. House prices are set to gradually fall from the offset of 2025. Reasons include increased…

While there will be no quick fixes for the coming year, some relief is on the horizon with inflation expected to ease and interest rates likely to drop. For example, falling interest rates will offer some relief for homeowners who are struggling with high repayments. In the meantime, the Reserve…

These losses were triggered by the US Federal Reserve’s call that 2025 will see fewer rate cuts than previously expected. The announcement has been felt globally and the Australian Stock Market had its worst trading day in three months. The S&P/ASX200 fell by 1.7 per cent to 8,168.2 points, wiping…