From saffron in Victoria to truffles in WA and seaweed off the SA coast, discover how Australian farmers are moving away from traditional crops and finding new global markets. For generations, Australian agriculture was defined by wheat, wool, and cattle.…
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Australian private credit manager Qualitas establishes UK foothold
Qualitas Ltd has entered the European market through the acquisition of a UK-based loan management business. The deal provides the Australian private credit manager with a local platform, expanded lending capabilities and access to commercial real estate financing opportunities in one of Europe's largest credit markets.
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Business
JB Hi-Fi to Refund More Than $250,000 Over Misleading Discounts
JB Hi-Fi will refund more than $250,000 to customers after the ACCC alleged the retailer promoted misleading online discounts on a range of products between March and September 2025. The regulator claimed some advertised "was" prices were inaccurate because products were never sold at those prices, were sold at them only briefly, or long before promotions began. More than 200 customers purchased affected items, including laptops, gaming monitors and a Meta Quest VR headset. The ACCC will not take further enforcement action and has acknowledged steps taken by JB Hi-Fi to prevent similar issues.
Business
Woodside Shares Fall After Surprise $570 Million Project Move
Woodside Energy shares declined after the company moved to acquire PetroChina's 10.67% stake in the Browse Joint Venture, a transaction worth up to US$400 million. The move blocks Japanese energy giant Inpex from entering the project and could increase Woodside's ownership stake from 30.6% to 41.27%. Browse is Australia's largest undeveloped conventional gas resource and is expected to support future supply for the North West Shelf. While the acquisition strengthens Woodside's strategic position, investors remain cautious as the project still requires regulatory approvals, significant investment and a final development decision.
Business
Honeywell Eyes upto $4 Billion Deals as Automation M&A Focus Grows
Honeywell is targeting acquisitions valued between $2 billion and $4 billion as it looks to grow its industrial automation business. Speaking at the company's investor day, executives said there are significant merger and acquisition opportunities within the automation sector, which operates in a roughly $35 billion market. Honeywell has spent about $14 billion on acquisitions in recent years and plans to continue focusing on strategic bolt-on deals. Company executives said debt reduction, organic investment and shareholder returns will remain priorities, while larger acquisitions are not currently viewed as necessary under its existing strategy.
Business
Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire After Record SpaceX IPO
Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire following SpaceX's record $75 billion initial public offering. According to Forbes and Reuters calculations, Musk's net worth is expected to exceed $1.1 trillion when SpaceX begins trading. Most of his wealth now comes from his stake in SpaceX, which is valued at roughly $866 billion. The milestone further strengthens Musk's position as the world's richest person and highlights strong investor confidence in his companies. Analysts say much of SpaceX's valuation reflects belief in Musk's long-term vision for space, AI and technology innovation.
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Coffee giants face EU pressure after report reveals farmer income gap
A new Coffee Barometer report has found that leading coffee companies have not publicly committed to ensuring farmers earn a living income. The findings come as European supply-chain regulations draw closer, increasing scrutiny of sourcing practices, farmer earnings and compliance risks across the global coffee industry.
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Australia’s Santos Shares Hit Four-Year High as Rising Oil Prices Boost Investor Confidence
Santos shares climbed to their highest level in four years as stronger oil prices, rising production, and improving cash flow boosted investor sentiment toward the Australian energy company. The stock has surged 33% since the beginning of 2026, significantly outperforming the broader ASX market. Santos recently reported stronger quarterly production, higher sales revenue, and stable free cash flow while also announcing first oil production from its Pikka development project in Alaska. Analysts remain largely bullish on the company, with most maintaining buy ratings and expecting further upside as global oil markets remain volatile and energy prices elevated.
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Australia Late Business Payments 2026 Hit Six-Year High as SME Cash Flow Pressure Grows
Australia late business payments 2026 data revealed overdue invoices reaching their highest level in six years as businesses faced mounting financial pressure. CreditorWatch payment data showed Australian SME cash flow conditions worsening across hospitality, retail, transport, and construction sectors due to rising borrowing costs, inflation, and weaker consumer demand. The report also highlighted growing business payment delays and increasing tax debt pressure among smaller operators. Analysts warned the small business cash crisis Australia is becoming more visible in real-time trading data as higher energy prices, fuel costs, and interest rates continue weighing heavily on businesses throughout the economy.