INVESTING

ASX to offer bond trading

John Kavanagh A new investment market will open for retail investors in May when the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) offers exchange-traded Australian government bonds.

BLOOMING

Japaneasing is just the start

Barbara Drury Japan's muscular new approach to monetary policy has breathed new life into its moribund sharemarket.

Getting Started

Dollar leads us on a merry chase

David Potts Whoever claims to know where the dollar is going is either a charlatan or delusional. Unless it's me, in which case being wrong will do.

BANKS & MINES

Dig deep for a decent return

David Potts With so little on offer from a bank or bond, it's no wonder the sharemarket is rising. The surprise is where it's occurring. Or rather, not occurring.

Quirky Investments

Kangaroo stamps - the sincerest form of philately

James Cockington A sale of a great collection Kangaroo and Map stamps - which were first released 100 years ago - should net about $1.4 million.

Quirky Investments

Valuable hole in your pocket

James Cockington This year marks the 200th anniversary of Australia's first coin, the holey dollar, and prices are rising close to $500,000.

Beyond the thin red line

Stephen Crafti 'Who designed it?' tends to be a more weighty question than 'how big is it?' when it comes to house values.

Quirky Investments

Crime pays for bidders

Quirky Investments It seems to be common these days for police departments to promote their crime-fighting prowess by displaying the proceeds of crime, as they are usually described on television news.

Case study – Georgina Rosos

John Kavanagh Georgina Rosos’ experience as a nurse in the intensive-care unit of a Brisbane hospital has made her realise how unpredictable life can be.

Quirky Investments

Modernist masters' stocks soar

James Cockington Twentieth-century design is a boom area in the auction scene, showing little sign of slowing after a decade of inflating prices.

Back in the game

Bull market boosts trading online

John Kavanagh The recovery in the share market over the past year has prompted a flurry of activity in the online broking sector, where several players have updated their offers or launched new ones in a bid to...

Hot Stock

Popular junior Telco plans even more acquisitions

Hot Stock M2 Telecommunications boasts a strong double-digit EPS growth outlook, is financially sound and generates significant free cash flows.

Intelligent Investor

Ten signs your stock will double

Nathan Bell Everyone loves the idea of buying stocks that double in price. But how do you spot them? Here are 10 quick pointers:

QUIRKY INVESTMENTS

A collection for the board room

James Cockington Baby boomers are spending big on vintage surfboards to hang on their walls and show that, once upon a time, they were young too.

Insight: retail

Clancy Yeates If our economy is in pretty good nick, why are retailers always complaining about how tough things are?

Bank on banks

David Potts The best way to deal with a bank is by owning a bit of it. Take your typical term deposit. You'll be lucky if you're getting much more than 4 per cent - unless it goes back a couple of years - but...

HOT STOCK

Sun rises with general insurance the star

Hot Stock Suncorp is making strides on its path to delivering value to shareholders by stripping out cost, winding down non-core banking, improving general insurance margins and returning capital.

Mark Bouris

Soar on the upsurge of a windfall

Mark Bouris I'm used to hearing ''I don't have enough money'', but what about the people who do?

Mark Bouris

At this rate, prospects are for a rise

Mark Bouris Every economy has cycles and we may be approaching the end of one that has been good for mortgage-holders.

QUIRKY INVESTMENTS

Houdini conjures a magic result

James Cockington Those who work for auction houses dream of moments such as this. Luke Jones, of Lawsons Auctioneers in Leichhardt, Sydney, was contacted recently by a valuer who suggested he check out the contents...