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The Australian Business Review
 

Good morning,

Major fashion brands owned by billionaire Solomon Lew have been hit by plunging sales and lower earnings due to an economic downturn, leaked documents show . It poses a fresh challenge for new Myer boss Olivia Wirth as she considers a buyout deal for the retail businesses. 

Meanwhile, the exit of Chinese developers from large Australian property developments is picking up pace, with offshore company Han’s Holdings Group selling a site it had assembled overlooking Sydney’s Hyde Park for a $3bn p­roject.

And iron ore giant Fortescue will no longer buy voluntary carbon offsets , citing doubts over their effectiveness in cutting emissions, in the latest backlash by an Australian corporate against the booming industry.


Perry Williams
Business editor
The markets


Making news this morning
1
Jilted green developer takes ministerial decision to court
Flotation Energy has launched legal action against a decision by federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen to turn it down for a feasibility licence to develop wind-powered generators off Victoria.
2
ASX faces board challenge over CHESS failure
Two market figures are concerned the ASX board lacks the expertise to handle its massive CHESS replacement program after the failure of the first attempt.
3
Go green before nuclear option, says AirTrunk chief
Renewable projects, such as solar and wind farms, can be commissioned more quickly than nuclear energy reactors, AirTrunk boss Robin Khuda insists.
Editor's picks
MEDIA
Why major investor pulled the plug on ARN
The media company has had a change to one of its biggest shareholders after an investment firm withdrew following concerns with the company’s financial progress.
By SOPHIE ELSWORTH
EXCLUSIVE
Myer boss hires Boston Consulting to reimagine retail giant
Executive chairman Olivia Wirth has brought in Boston Consulting Group to examine and reimagine Myer’s approach to its customers, leaning on her admiration for overseas chains.
By ELI GREENBLAT
INVESTING
This week’s share tips: looking beyond the big names
Share portfolios shouldn’t simply focus on big banks and resources giants. Our experts examine some smaller stocks.
By ANTHONY KEANE
Commentary
Top HSBC executive on Westpac’s CEO succession radar
By JOYCE MOULLAKIS
Senior Banking Reporter
This international banking executive is certain to feature on the target list of Westpac’s board and the headhunting firm spearheading a search for its next CEO.
Attacks on RBA undermine the nation’s standing
By JAMES GLYNN
Senior Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
While it is great theatre, there is a chance the public criticism could grow into something quite serious that does long-term damage to the economy.
Dataroom
Good, bad or ugly? CDC valuation up in the air
Jarden tips there will be a partial selldown of major data centre operator CDC in the near future in the wake of the $24bn AirTrunk sale last week.
Trading at near-record highs, but gold still has ‘further to go’
Plenty of gold bugs are sitting on hefty 12-month gains across their Australian listed portfolios, but with US rates heading south shortly, plenty of brokers think the good times will roll on.
Nasty hangover for Mighty Craft investors
Shareholders and investors have suffered badly from the failure of the beer producer.