The success or failure of the Murray inquiry's recommendations will depend on the government, the industry and the regulator’s appetite for change.

Travellers are expected to benefit “substantially” from lower oil prices, with global airlines forecast to drop average return ticket prices by 5.1 per cent next year after adjusting for inflation, according to the latest airline industry forecast.

Mining giant BHP Billiton says iron ore prices are unlikely to eclipse $US100 a tonne again, with expectations of steel consumption growth in China slowing further next year.

Next year is shaping as another pivotal one for financial markets. We have asked a number of top investors and analysts which indicator they will be watching particularly closely.

The financial planning industry is set for a massive overhaul of its education standards, level of professionalism and ethics.

The momentum is palpable as the equity market heads to 6000 points, but in the economy the state of retail has set off real concerns.

James Vertzayias may be hanging up his tiny competition briefs.

The fall-out from the savaging of the oil price saw Australian LNG majors, Santos and Origin, reassuring investors that financing and expenditure would be reconfigured and that the economics of their massive projects still worked.

Fairfax Media and John Singleton's Macquarie Radio network are very close to finalising a $200 million talkback radio merger, less than a year after talks collapsed in bitter circumstances.

Next year is shaping as another pivotal one for financial markets. We have asked a number of top investors and analysts which indicator they will be watching particularly closely.

Australia's corporate regulator has cancelled the registration of 440 self-managed superannuation fund auditors after they failed to meet competency standards.

Telstra chief executive David Thodey has backed the federal government’s latest plan to tackle illegal downloading, which gives internet service providers 120 days to propose a code of conduct.

The corporate regulator has warned Australian cryptocurrency companies that they will be held to the same standards as traditional finance companies.

Woolworths staff are squeezing a further $70 million from suppliers by the end of the year, as the company scrambles to meet profit guidance and avoid its first downgrade in almost 16 years.

The Fed sent global sharemarkets into a frenzy, with the ASX recording its strongest day in a year and a half.