Columnist Ian Huntley

I certainly think Australia is in recession, but for various reasons I can't see it being as bad as in the USA or Europe. The current surge could possibly crest 4,000 before a correction. At this stage the move has performed very similarly to

The G20 appears to have made a significant stride in solving the current global banking crisis, putting together yet another US$1 trillion-plus package to bolster the banking system and in particular the troubled European banking system. Using the

Dialling Telstra for a good dividend and surprise upside seems a good strategy with the stock hovering around the $3.00 mark. It is down some $1.50 in recent months on increasing fears the government will take a wrecking ball to its structure and

Yes, I hold bank shares (CBA, WBC and NAB). No debt against the portfolio. Intimately associated with a positive view on the banking system is the hotly debated issue of just how long Australia can outperform the rest of the world in the economic

If they are asking their clients to rein in debt and be more conservative with dividend policy then the boards of all banks should follow suit. Their current elevated payout ratios are inconsistent with what is being asked of the corporate community.