FAIRFAX Media is plotting to clinch a triumvirate of deals before Christmas to lay the ground for a full-blown merger.

MEDIA mogul Bruce Gordon wants the power to veto the chief executive of Ten in a move that will up the ante in the battle for control.

SWISS trader-miner Glencore has criticised Rio’s capabilities and strategy as a phony war between the pair continues.

Stocks drifted higher throughout the day on light stock-trading volume ahead of the Christmas holiday.

The auction for the Port of Melbourne has come down to a three-way race with bidders lodging indicative bids.

ONE of the Murray inquiry’s signature recommendations to improve competition has been disputed by analysts and investors.

AUSTRALIAN businesses need to recognise the growing economic importance of women, says US sociologist Marianne Cooper.

Investors were bracing for the outcome of emergency talks on Greece, but Australian shares had another good week.

The average price for a capital city homes has jumped above $600,000, after prices surged nearly 10pc annually.

LEIGHTON Holdings has wiped more than $1.5 billion worth of debt from its balance sheet in the space of a week.

When 19-year-old Sarah Munchenberg bought a well-established gourmet fruit business in South Australia's Riverland she immediately set to work to diversify its range to attract new customers. 

AMCOM has accepted an offer to be bought out by Vocus, in a deal that values the west coast telco at $635 million.

Queensland's books are expected be back in black within the next four years, with Treasurer Cameron Dick predicting the state will return to a $153 million surplus by mid-2025.

RECALL Holdings says it will be a “missed opportunity” for Iron Mountain if the US company fails to sweeten its offer.

BHP Billiton is facing calls to drop its $14.5bn South32 spin-off because of the effect of slumping iron ore and coal prices.

THE sliding dollar should help the nation’s retailers lock in the highest price rises in almost five years.

IN Orange NSW David Murray’s financial system inquiry hasn’t been top of mind for many of its 40,000 odd residents.

PRIVATE companies want exemption from the corporate tax list.

NATIONAL Australia Bank is selling another £1.2 billion ($2.28 billion) in higher risk commercial real estate loans from its UK division.

BORAL and CSR have been given a surprise green light by the competition watchdog to merge their clay brick businesses.

ENERGY giant Santos has secured $1 billion in new debt ahead of a potential balance sheet shake up in the new year.

Murray Goulburn continues to resist pressure to reverse its decision on after-tax profit distribution.

GROWTH in home lending slowed in October, with the value of investor loans up 1pc, after seasonal adjustment, compared with 3.7pc in September.

Stocks on Wall Street fall after US President Donald Trump says he may shut down the US Government if he does not get funding to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

A BATTLE between two copper-focused juniors, KBL Mining and Kidman Resources, will heat up today.