Michael West

Michael West comments on companies, markets and the economy. He is a former SMH business editor.

'The next big thing': Australia is poised to be the biggest exporter of LNG in the world by 2017.

Michael West

No need to fear AGL’s gas supply ‘cliff’

Michael West Anybody who has been listening to AGL or the media coverage it has received this week will have heard the message loud and clear: we are heading for a cliff.

Blinkered to threat of rising oil prices

Michael West Worldwide oil production would have peaked by now had it not been for the US shale boom.

Michael West

Elmer Funke Kupper: supreme leader swims in his own 'dark pools'

Michael West Supreme leader of the ASX keeps his grip over financial markets in Australia.

The fisherman caught out by the low-doc loan

Su-Lin Tan and Michael West Graham Filmer used to earn a living 30 kilometres off the coast of Corny Point in South Australia long-line fishing for sharks – mostly bronze whalers, gummies and schoolies – and catching snapper.

Superannuation

Super Rupert : Murdoch in investment management foray with Alan Kohler

Michael West Rupert Murdoch's News Limited is considering a proposal by finance guru Alan Kohler to expand into investment management.

Michael West

Has bank lobbying de-fanged FOFA?

Michael West The single greatest policy challenge in financial markets is the hegemony of the banks.

Michael West

Ignore page count, just note number on the front

Michael West Rural communities riven in dissent, angry blockades, a grazier chained to a drill rig, farmers arm-in-arm at the barricades with greenies, the conservative Sydney talk show host Alan Jones allied...

Superannuation

Industry super funds are not all low-cost havens

Michael West The latest figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) show industry funds performed about 30 per cent better than retail over 10 years.

Michael West

Watchdog shies away from enforcement

Michael West In mid-2008 the ASIC was warned Storm Financial group was going to blow up.

Gas

Gas demand forecasts are completely fracked

Michael West Rubbery figures about Australia's demand for gas are being used to ram through approval for coal seam gas fracking projects earmarked for export.

Boart Longyear: Dig deep or pass the hat again

Michael West The release of Boart Longyear's 2013 earnings on Monday paints a sombre picture.

Results

Boart’s Richard O’Brien finding debt a heavy load to carry

Michael West The release of Boart’s 2013 earnings this morning paints a sombre picture.

Study shines a light into dark corners of electricity pricing

Michael West If Tony Abbott wants to achieve lower power prices, he will need to be better advised.

Michael West

Grandmothers, perhaps try ducking for cover

Michael West Got a call from a contact the other day; you'd better have a look at this, he said.

Michael West

Creditors sidelined as LM Group Surfers Paradise property sells for a song

Michael West The administrators of failed funds management operation LM Group have quietly sold a beachside property to a confidante and key associate of LM’s founder Peter Drake for less than half its previous...