Dreamworld, A PwC Survey and Tourists Headed to Bali

Australian News

• The Australian dollar has hit a one-month low, influenced by falling commodity prices. LINK

• The ACCC considers legal action against a major supermarket chain for breaching consumer law, with Qantas also under scrutiny. LINK

• Bali's popularity among Australian tourists has surpasses pre-pandemic levels, with November 2023 seeing more visitors than in November 2019. LINK

• A PwC survey reveals that nearly a third of CEOs fear their companies may not survive the next decade due to climate change and technological pressures. LINK

• Australia's ETF industry is projected to reach $220B in 2024, following a 33% growth. LINK

• Corporate travellers increasingly prefer premium cabins, with a 43% rise in bookings last year, undeterred by higher fares and prioritising comfort. LINK

• Neighbourhood mall deal activity is set to increase in 2024 as capitalisation rates rise to 6%, narrowing the gap between buyer and seller expectations. LINK

Global News

• Donald Trump appears as the likely Republican nominee, showcasing his enduring appeal amid legal challenges. LINK

• Dense fog in northern India disrupts air traffic for the third consecutive day, affecting over 160 flights and reducing visibility significantly. LINK

• Germany's BDI industry association predicts minimal growth for the German economy in 2024 at 0.3%, citing a standstill and lagging behind other major economies. LINK

Company News

• Coast Entertainment reports financial struggles due to Christmas and New Year storms forcing closures of Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, alongside inflation and increasing international travel. LINK

• Australian Professional Leagues cuts up to 40 jobs at its head office due to ongoing financial challenges. LINK

• PwC UK's boss, Kevin Ellis, suggests junior staff need more office time for career advancement, as AI takes over routine tasks. LINK

• Vodafone announces a $1.5 billion partnership with Microsoft, integrating AI and cloud services to enhance its digital offerings in Europe and Africa. LINK

• A coalition of investors, managing over US$4 trillion assets, joins climate activist group Follow This to push Shell for greater emissions reduction. LINK

This Week’s Top Picks

• Sydney commuters face delays due to daily strikes by wire-drawn ferry operators. LINK

• Vodafone increases mobile plan prices by 6-9%, attributing the hike to high operating costs and ongoing network investments. LINK

• Looking for a job is now harder with Seek reporting a 17.4% decline in job ads over the past year. LINK

• Sydney's first metropolitan e-scooter trial has commenced in Kogarah, with 60 scooters available for use on roads with 50km/h speed limits within the trial area. LINK

• Online retailer The Iconic's lack of payment verification measures exposes its 2.1M customers to potential fraud. LINK

• Hertz plans to sell a third of its US electric vehicle fleet and shift back to petrol-powered cars, citing weak demand and high repair costs for EVs. LINK

• Perth experienced the highest increase in rental prices in 2023, with some tenants facing weekly increases. LINK

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