How Johnathan Thurston shrunk his power bill by going solar, and how you can too

What's your least favourite part of your electricity bill? As we suffer through a very hot summer, it's likely the cost. Powering those air-conditioning systems certainly isn't cheap, but as clean energy solutions become more accessible there are now plenty of ways to slash your bill. NRL legend Johnathan Thurston lear...

Melbourne's Top Companies revealed

High-profile exits have cleared the path for a host of new players in this year's Melbourne Top Companies list, especially when it comes to high-growth health businesses.

Unsurprisingly, one the biggest risers was Afterpay as investors took the attitude of 'buy now, sell later' towards its shares; the founder-led fintech over...

Melbourne Top Companies 11-20

By the time you reach the Melbourne Top 20 ASX-listed companies, any movement in position becomes a matter of billions of dollars lost or gained in market capitalisation. This means that for the most part reshuffles are incremental. Orica blasted its way into 18th spot from its 21st rank in the last edition and job finder juggernaut Seek ...

Melbourne Top Companies 21-30

Melbourne's top companies are a diverse bunch, and that's certainly the case with this cluster slap bang in the middle of the Top 50. Steel producers, bathroom fittings distributors, fertiliser manufacturers and retailers make up the rich tapestry that is Melbourne's high-flying business culture. But they're certainly ...

Melbourne Top Companies 31-40

As we head toward the tail end of the list, you'll likely see some familiar names. The majority of these groups have fallen a few spots from last year but make no mistake; they're still forces to be reckoned with. While their market caps might be lower than others, many are generating billions of dollars in revenue from intern...

Melbourne Top Companies 41-50

While there are very few new faces towards the top of this list where established incumbents reign supreme, the final section of this feature highlights the up-and-comers. If current growth rates continue at least a few of the five new companies below will be Melbourne Top Companies list mainstays for years to come. With the exception...

Jan Cameron charged over Bellamy's shareholding

The founder of Kathmandu and former director of infant milk formula company Bellamy's (ASX: BAL) has been charged by the corporate watchdog for allegedly failing to disclose her substantial interest in the company. Jan Cameron (pictured), 67, who was a director of Bellamy's from 2007 to 2011, will appear before the Hobart Magistra...

Brand transformation pays off for Baby Bunting

A brand refresh has worked in favour of baby goods retailer Baby Bunting (ASX: BBN) with sales and profit both growing during the first half. The company reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $7.5 million, up 30.6 per cent. Sales were rose 8.1 per cent to $186.4 million on the back of store network growth and a brand transformatio...

Court gives green light to $15 billion TPG-Vodafone merger

Australia's competition watchdog laments the loss of a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for mobile consumers, but the Federal Court sees TPG rolling out its own network as a lost cause and is in favour of establishing a viable contender through a merger to take on Telstra and Optus even if it leads to greater market conce...

AMP reset not enough to stem losses

No matter how hard it has tried to change its business and culture, financial giant AMP (ASX: AMP) has not been enough to stop the company from posting a $2.5 billion net loss for FY19. Now well and truly post-Royal Commission AMP has struggled to regain customer and shareholder support over the year as it continues to deal with the fallo...

Goodman upgrades forecast on solid first half

Industrial logistics company Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) is positive about the future after posting a $810.6 million statutory profit in 1H20. The company has upgraded its forecast FY20 EPS growth by 11 per cent to 57.3 cents per security, after reporting $530.4 million in operating profit for the first half of FY20. The company says its...

Creso develops hemp product for horses

From soup to oils, supplements and powders, hemp is a seriously versatile product and consumers are hungry for its beneficial properties. But for Australian cannabis companies the plant presents a wealth of opportunity to generate cash considering it is less regulated than its medicinal CBD counterpart. Creso Pharma (ASX: CPH) hopes t...

Double-digit online growth the icing on the cake at JB Hi-Fi

Online sales continue to contribute double-digit growth across the retailer's divisions in Australia and New Zealand.  A strong first half has meant profits could be as much as 8 per cent higher for the full year at electronics and home appliances retailer JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH), with sales forecasts lifted by $80 million. ...

Melco bails out of Crown Resorts deal

Hong Kong-based Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco) has pulled out of an $880 million deal with Crown Resorts (ASX: CWN). The deal to acquire a bundle of shares in the Australian casino giant was canned as a result of the coronavirus according to Melco, which now intends to focus on its core operations. The acquisition of shares...

Virgin Australia cancels services to Hong Kong

Virgin Australia (ASX: VAH) will withdraw its services between Australia and Hong Kong, citing ongoing civil unrest in the region and the coronavirus outbreak. The cancellation of all services follows the airline's decision to suspend its Melbourne to Hong Kong service in November 2019, which is effective from 11 February. Its Syd...

Third time lucky as Booktopia completes $20m capital raising

Following a failed IPO four years ago and a recent $10 million crowdfunding attempt that fell well short, online book retailer Booktopia has finally secured the capital needed to fund future growth.  The Australian-owned company has today announced it completed a $20 million capital raising from a consortium of private investors. ...

Nick Scali beats guidance in tough retail environment

Furniture retailer Nick Scali (ASX: NCK) can't put its feet up just yet despite pushing through a hostile retail environment in 1H20. The company saw both its sales revenue and NPAT soften during the half, impacted by weak consumer confidence during what was supposed to be its busiest time of the year. Nick Scali's NPAT was do...

Computershare to acquire US registered agent business for $142.9m

Share transfer company Computershare (ASX: CPU) has entered into an agreement to acquire US compliance services business Corporate Creations Enterprises (CCE) for $142.9 million. The acquisition will enable Computershare to expand its US footprint as CCE is one of the leading registered agent providers in the US with over 14,000 clients i...

Qantas to suspend two major China routes

Australia's leading airline Qantas (ASX: QAN) has stopped short of blaming the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for its decision to suspend two direct services to mainland China. The company has cited rostering challenges as behind the decision to suspend flights connecting Sydney to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February to 29 March 2...

Temple & Webster boosted by Millennials entering furniture market

Online furniture and homewares retailer Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW) has followed up its first full year profit result in FY19 with a healthy half yearly result. The company is seeing its pure play model pay off as the Millennial market begins to enter its target demographic, with that gamble paying dividends during 1H20. The group...