Markets

BHP made a bumper profit from record copper prices and its new chief executive has claimed victory over the unions which infiltrated its iron ore empire in WA.

JB Hi-Fi boss Nick Wells says he has seen a sharp downturn in trading in July as the combined impact of higher interest rates, a poorly received Federal Budget and a cooling housing market kept shoppers away.

Telstra boss Vicki Brady has copped a more than $600,000 penalty for an outage in July that left up to 25 million people without phone coverage.

ANZ’s mortgage application values have fallen 12 per cent since the May Budget as the bank plays down its reliance on home lending and competition for new borrowers intensifies.

Solomon Lew’s popular sleepwear brand Peter Alexander will shutter its three stores in the UK after less than two years, becoming the latest Australian retailer to pullout of the tough British market.

CBA has banked a $10.9b profit, but falling mortgage demand, rising arrears and a retreat by property investors point to a tougher year ahead.

The AAMI and GIO owner paid a record $10b-plus in claims but shareholders will still pocket a special dividend as premiums keep climbing.

Southern Cross Media boss Rohan Lund will step up the company’s growth in digital markets after bedding down a merger and restructure in the opening months of 2026.

Ryan Stokes says industrial giant SGH remains on the hunt for takeover deals in the aftermath of a $15 billion Bluescope bid earlier this year.

Westpac says rates and Canberra policy changes are cooling mortgage demand as investor credit growth slows.

Atlassian shares rocketed after revenue jumped 28 per cent and its billionaire founder pledged to buy up to $356m of stock, pushing back against fears AI could gut the software giant.