The report card is finally in for Australia’s major companies and the profit results are better than expected.Particularly notable was BHP’s monster profit and those of the four big banks, which all managed to beat market expectations.The result with just a few stragglers left to report is that the ASX 200 added 23.3 points or 0.3% to 9,168.60 points on Friday, with that record close pumping up the index by an impressive 3.7% for the month of February.Consumer stocks one weak pointThere were a few areas of ...

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher open on Wednesday, with stocks poised to add to the strong gains posted in the previous session.The may continue to benefit from strength in the tech sector amid optimism ahead of the release of earnings news from AI chipmaker and market leader Nvidia (NVDA).Nvidia, which is due to release its fourth quarter financial results after the close of today's trading, is climbing by 0.8 percent in pre-market trading.Software giants Salesforce (CRM) a ...

Market Overview - Asian stocks experienced a rally, with Japanese and South Korean shares reaching record highs, driven by strong stock performance [1] - The dollar weakened in Asian trade, contributing to a surge in gold prices towards $5,200 per ounce, while oil prices approached seven-month highs amid geopolitical tensions [2] Japan's Market Dynamics - The Nikkei average increased by 2.20 percent to 58,583.12, supported by strong performances in chip and AI sectors, as the government nominated dovish candidates to the Bank of Japan's board, reducing rate hike expectations [3] - Nippon Steel shares fell by 5.5 percent after raising ¥600 billion ($3.9 billion) through an upsized convertible bond sale [4] South Korea's Market Performance - Seoul's Kospi index surged 1.91 percent to 6,083.86, marking a new record, as concerns over AI's disruptive effects eased ahead of Nvidia Corp's earnings report [4] - Hyundai Motor's shares rose by 9.2 percent following news of a potential IPO for its U.S. affiliate Boston Dynamics, while Kia Corp's shares skyrocketed by 12.7 percent [5] Australian Market Highlights - Australian shares reached a record high, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing 1.17 percent higher at 9,128.30, driven by strong inflation data and speculation of further rate hikes [6] - Woolworths shares surged by 13 percent to a 17-month high after reporting a strong half-year profit and raising full-year guidance [6] Technology Sector Developments - WiseTech Global's shares jumped over 11 percent following the announcement of a significant AI overhaul and plans to lay off about 2,000 employees over the next two years [7] - The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose by 1 percent, bolstered by AMD's major supply deal with Meta [8]

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv February 24, 202610:35 PM UTCUpdated ago By Reuters Brazil hails zero US tariff on aircraft exports An airplane adorns the roof at Embraer headquarters and aircraft factory in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Roosevelt Cassio/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab BRASILIA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Brazil's government on Tuesday welcomed a decision by Washington to all ...

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv Australia's Woolworths posts 16% rise in first-half profit Feb 25 (Reuters) - Woolworths (WOW.AX), opens new tab on Wednesday reported a 16.4% rise in half-year underlying profit, helped by growth in its core Australian Food unit and lower prices aimed at attracting customers. Australia's top supermarket chain said underlying net profit after tax rose to A$859 million ($606.28 million) for the ...

This story was originally published on ESG Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily ESG Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Major food and beverage companies are lagging behind on efforts to prevent and address forced labor risks aggravated by climate change across their supply chains, according to a recent assessment backed by international nonprofit Business and Human Rights Centre.  Then benchmark evaluated 45 of the largest food and beverage companies across the globe and gave ...

Core Insights - Kroger has appointed Greg Foran as its new CEO, marking a significant leadership change for the $43 billion supermarket retailer [1][5] - Foran's appointment has resulted in an 8% increase in Kroger's shares, indicating positive market reception [5] Background of Greg Foran - Foran began his career at Woolworths in New Zealand, starting as a part-time shelf stocker at the age of 17 [2][3] - He was encouraged by his mother to pursue a career in retail, leading him to apply for a trainee manager position at Woolworths [3] - Over a 30-year career at Woolworths, Foran quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the youngest store managers at the age of 20 [4] Previous Leadership Experience - Foran has a 14-year history of serving as CEO at billion-dollar companies, including Walmart and Air New Zealand [6][8] - After leaving Woolworths, he joined Walmart, where he became president and CEO of Walmart China in 2012, later overseeing Walmart U.S. [7] - Foran's leadership at Air New Zealand began in 2020 during the pandemic, which significantly impacted the travel industry [8]

We got the latest CPI inflation read for Australia today, and it came in hotter than expected at 3.8% in the 12mth to December CY2025; trimmed mean or core inflation is lower, too, at 3.3% but still sticky, and outside the target band.Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.So what does that mean for us investors? Well, it’s looking like Australia is going to take one big backwards step and raise ...

Core Viewpoint - The Australian fuel retail market is under increased regulatory scrutiny due to the ACCC's referral of Ampol Limited's acquisition of EG Australia for a Phase 2 merger review, raising concerns about potential competition reduction in petrol and diesel supply [1][2][3] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The ACCC's Phase 2 review indicates a more detailed examination of the proposed merger under Australia's new mandatory merger control framework, which requires regulatory clearance for transactions that may pose competition risks [2][6] - The ACCC has identified significant overlap between Ampol and EG Australia in multiple local markets, particularly in major urban centers [3][4] Group 2: Competition Concerns - The regulator flagged over 100 locations where the merger could diminish competitive pressure, potentially impacting fuel prices and consumer choice in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra [4][5] - Ampol's proposed divestment of a limited number of retail fuel sites was deemed insufficient to address the identified competition concerns, leading to the escalation to Phase 2 [5] Group 3: Review Process - The Phase 2 review allows the ACCC to gather additional information from various market participants and involves a comprehensive analysis of market structure, pricing behavior, and barriers to entry, which may take several months [7] - Stakeholders have been invited to provide submissions as the ACCC investigates the potential impact of the Ampol and EG Australia merger [7] Group 4: Industry Implications - The outcome of the ACCC review could have broader implications for consolidation trends in the Australian fuel retail market, which has experienced increasing concentration over the past decade [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the myths surrounding Australia Day, questioning the validity of its celebrated pillars such as mateship, egalitarianism, freedom, and prosperity, and highlights the ongoing societal divisions and historical grievances associated with the date [1][30]. Group 1: Australia Day and Its Controversies - Australia Day is marked by debates over its significance, particularly the date of January 26, which is viewed as "invasion day" by many Indigenous Australians [5][6]. - The backlash against Woolworths for removing Australia-themed merchandise reflects a broader cultural conflict regarding national identity and patriotism [2][4]. - The right-wing response to calls for change often dismisses concerns as leftist grievances, indicating a divide in public opinion on the matter [6][7]. Group 2: Cultural Pillars and Their Critique - The four pillars of Australian culture—mateship, egalitarianism, freedom, and prosperity—are critiqued as being misrepresented or hollow in contemporary society [11][30]. - Former PM Tony Abbott's comments illustrate a selective pride in Australia's history, ignoring the darker aspects of its colonial past [10][19]. - The concept of mateship has evolved into cronyism among elites, undermining the idea of a classless society [18][19]. Group 3: Economic and Social Inequality - Wealth concentration is a significant issue, with the top 10% of households holding 46% of total wealth, while poverty affects 3.7 million Australians [25]. - The rise in discrimination against various groups, including Indigenous Australians and the LGBTQ community, suggests a decline in the egalitarian ideals once associated with Australia [26][27]. - Recent legislation regarding hate speech raises concerns about civil liberties, indicating a potential erosion of freedoms in the country [21][28].