Stephen Bartholomeusz
Business Spectator
Melbourne, FL, United States
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Past articles by Stephen:
A Chinese conundrum for commodity markets
The underlying condition of China's economy will hold the key to determining the outlook for commodities and resource producers. → Read More
What joining the IMF's currency basket would mean for the renminbi
At the moment only a tiny fraction of the world’s trade is settled in renminbi. But China is playing a long game. → Read More
There's more commodities carnage to come
The severity of falls in commodity prices is likely to accelerate the supply-side adjustment required for stability to emerge in the resources sector. → Read More
Why OPEC's oil strategy isn't sustainable
As efforts to wretch back market share from US shale producers gain traction, fresh analysis suggests OPEC's strategy won't pay off over the long term. → Read More
How Coles turned the tables on Woolworths
If Woolworths CEO Grant O'Brien can't reignite growth rates in his supermarkets, he may be forced to make some big structural changes. → Read More
How the effects test could thwart the competition agenda
The line between pro-competitive conduct and misuse of market power can be blurry, but any change to provisions in the Act could be damaging for consumers and the economy. → Read More
Myer pins its hopes on a strategy shake-up
The cut-throat retail environment leaves Myer with no choice but to pursue an ambitious plan for growth. → Read More
The worst is yet to come for our miners
Iron ore prices will continue to decline as excess supply dramatically increases, eating into the big miners’ profits and bringing smaller miners to their knees. → Read More
Nervous APRA shows its hand
ONCE the financial system inquiry’s interim report was issued in July it was evident the major banks were facing a potential two-pronged attack on their returns and competitiveness that unnerved them. → Read More
Hardware is the weak spot in Woolworths' solid showing
Momentum is starting to flow through Woolworths' food and liquor operations, but the poor performances of Big W and Masters are blemishes on chief executive Grant O'Brien's otherwise impressive record. → Read More
The capacity war has Virgin caught in a tailspin
Chief executive John Borghetti has turned Virgin Australia into a viable alternative to Qantas, but its increasing cost base and big international losses will be unsustainable in the long term. → Read More
Murray Goulburn’s capital plan aims for the big cheese
MURRAY Goulburn’s Gary Helou has made no secret of his ambition to aggressively expand the giant Victorian dairy co-operative. → Read More
The only way is up for bottomed-out Boart
The downturn in commodity prices has hit Boart Longyear hard, but the flattening out of the mining sector's downturn should give investors and the company some cause for cautious optimism. → Read More
A robust balance sheet is QBE's best insurance
QBE's announcement of a capital plan and asset sales should create a more stable base for the group amid its volatile operating environment. → Read More
What a BHP Billiton demerger will mean for shareholders
IT’S presumably not a coincidence that BHP Billiton announced today that its preferred option for its much-touted portfolio simplification is a demerger. → Read More
Telstra's turnaround is Thodey's calling card
Telstra's strong growth in earnings and its increased dividend to shareholders highlight its balanced strategy of investing in new growth vehicles while improving shareholder returns. → Read More
Telstra's NBN Co gift that keeps on giving
The progressive 'gifting' of Telstra's copper and HFC network assets will give NBN Co complete ownership of the fixed network while allowing Telstra to reduce its operational expenditure and concentrate on its future. → Read More
Perreault's CSL is a picture of health
Paul Perreault has continued CSL's very disciplined management, with strong top-line growth and yet another buyback flagged. → Read More
How Masters became a DIY disaster for Woolworths
Cost blowouts at its Masters business have forced Woolworths to concede that its strategy for the hardware sector was highly flawed. Ongoing losses will only further undermine its credibility. → Read More
Will familiar faces bring fresh hope to DJs?
Paul Zahra’s resignation from David Jones makes a lot of sense from Woolworths’ point of view. The group can now focus on seamlessly executing its overhaul of the retailer's strategy, with all senior executives on the same page. → Read More