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Finance & Insurance

Here's to a great 2014

2013 ended sadly, with Madiba's passing, but that means that we can now go into 2014 with the hope that this year will be better than the last.

We in the media have the Protection of State Information Bill hanging over us; Jacob Zuma has only to sign it into law, but that in itself will, we're sure, provide for some very interesting times this year and possibly into the future, because it is almost certain that the law will be challenged, right up to the Constitutional Court.

South Africa is fortunate in having a vibrant and independent media (apart from some notable exceptions) and that should ensure that any government hoping to hide the truth will face a long, hard battle.

So let's head into 2014 in a positive frame of mind - even if in years to come, some may look back on them as "the bad old days".

Today sees the first of our newsletters for 2014 and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all... for your past and, we hope, on-going support, and for your selection of this company - Bizcommunity.com - as your media vehicle of choice to get your news and opinions to your target audience.

To you all, all the very best for a prosperous and successful 2014.

Rod Baker, Content Director

Comment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your industry-specific news and event invitations to financenews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-finance@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news".



Weekly top stories
Linda de Beer to head financial reporting watchdog
[Amanda Visser] Linda de Beer‚ has been appointed to chair the Financial Reporting Investigations Panel from 1 January‚ replacing Harvey Wainer‚ chairman since its inception in 2002. Read more >>


Accounting & Auditing
City staff blamed for bad books

Olebogeng Molatlhwa

Jo'burg's council employees are likely to take plenty of flak for what is expected to be yet another dismal audit outcome for the city. Read more >>

Banking
Top India Bitcoin operator halts trade after bank warning
NEW DELHI, INDIA: India's biggest Bitcoin trading platform said on its website Friday it had suspended operations after the central bank warned against the risks of using virtual money. Read more >>

Markets & Investment
More pain at pumps for motorists in 2014
Early indications are that consumers are in for more pain at the pumps this year. Read more >>

Slow profit growth cools appetite for retail stocks

Zeenat Moorad

After a stellar run over a few years, appetite for retail stocks cooled last year as profit growth slowed on strained consumer spending. Read more >>

New low-cost carriers portend a busy year for SA aviation

Nicky Smith

Three new low-cost airlines did not get their Christmas wish to fly in 2013 - unfinished business that sets the scene in 2014 for a busy year for aviation and the prospect of cheaper flights for hard-pressed consumers. Read more >>

Fiat shares surge on Chrysler merger
ROME, ITALY: Shares in Italian car giant Fiat rose sharply after it announced it would take full control of Chrysler in an historic US$3.65bn deal. Read more >>

Miners work overtime to raise funding over festive season

Brendan Ryan

Financial executives at Jubilee Platinum as well as coal companies Resource Generation (Resgen) and Forbes & Manhattan Coal have been putting in overtime during the festive season to bolster their balance sheets. Read more >>

Europe's manufacturing sector posts highest growth in 31 months
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Business activity in the eurozone posted its strongest growth in 31 months in a fresh sign of recovery although France remained subdued, a key survey showed. Read more >>

Flurry of property listings sets up consolidation in 2014

Alistair Anderson

South Africa's listed property sector is set to undergo consolidation in 2014. Read more >>

Africa a booming market for stolen cars
ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE: If luxury cars have become a more common sight on African roads that is in part because it is a primary destination for cars stolen from Europe's streets. Read more >>

Blackstone to invest US$200m in Crocs shoes
NEW YORK, USA: Crocs Inc announced that the Blackstone Group is making a $200m investment that will give it preferred stock and a 13% stake in the US-based shoe company. Read more >>

Audi to invest €22bn in new models and technology
BERLIN, GERMANY: Audi, the top-of-the-range car manufacturer owned by Volkswagen, announced a massive investment programme in new models and technology over the next five years. Read more >>

Retail's strong climb runs out of steam in 2013

Zeenat Moorad

After a strong run over the past few years‚ the appetite for South Africa's retail stocks cooled this year as profit growth slowed on strained consumer spending. Read more >>

Taxation & Regulation
New Year brings renewed opposition to e-tolling

Nicky Smith

The scene is set for a major battle between civil society groups‚ private citizens and the state in the coming months‚ with temperatures already running hot during the normally sleepy holiday season over unpopular e-tolls. Read more >>

Venture Capital
Retail's stellar climb runs out of steam in 2013

Zeenat Moorad

After a stellar run over the past few years‚ appetite for South Africa's retail stocks cooled this year as profit growth slowed on strained consumer spending. Read more >>


International

Samsung forecasts steep drop in earnings
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's Samsung said on Tuesday (7 January) it expected a steep drop in its operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2013, as slowing sales of high-end smartphones and a strong won hit the world's top technology firm. Read more >>


More International


Jobs offered

CA (SA) - Johannesburg
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All industry news


Marketing & Media
Countdown begins to Cape Town... World Design Capital 2014
Mxit Brand Index: 31 December 2013

Medical
Want to give up smoking? Here are five ways to do just that

Rod Baker

Adult stem cells found to suppress cancer while dormant
Laboratory study confirms target of potent chronic leukaemia drug

Retail
Slow profit growth cools appetite for retail stocks
Sony Mobile's Xperia Z1 Compact enters market

Government
SGBs: 'Quality of education system has stabilised'
Sisulu declares 2014 year of excellence in public service

Mining
Kumba, Anglo 'looking to build organically' in Gabon

Allan Seccombe


CSI
Vodacom lends a hand to St Clement's Home Based Care Project
Nordex focuses on wellbeing, education

Agriculture
General Mills pledges GMO-free Cheerios
Local grains rise on weaker rand
Zimbabwe imports maize to stave off hunger

Arts
SA Creatives wins 2013 blog of the year award
Popular street soirees returns to Stellenbosch

Building
Rehabilitation of major Mpuma road on the cards

Adele du Toit


Environment
Pollution affects the Olifants River in KNP
China city caps car-buying to curb pollution
'Live animals horns hacked'

Lucas Ledwaba


HR & Recruitment
Zuma rejects salary sliding scale recommendation

Linda Ensor

Zimbabwe to introduce New Year ban on foreign owners

Legal
ConCourt judgment: Competition Commission v Pioneer and Others

Lerisha Naidu and Samantha Brener

Thuli gives 'pilgrims' a lifeline

Manufacturing
Eskom building programme builds skills

Property
Increasing demand for industrial space

Security
We will honour military veterans - Zuma
Violence grows in Central African Republic - UN

Education
Wits launches Equality Scholarships

Tourism
Over 4m travellers for SA in December
Clico... a rose by any other name...

Brian Berkman

Beit Bridge border traffic swells

Ray Ndlovu


ICT
2014 predictions for the broadcast industry

David Hochner

Critical tools for supporting the mobile enterprise of the future

Russel Brand


Maritime
Intl exchange programme for the maritime industry

Sport
Capetonians join 2014 CHAN volunteer programme
Kenya misses out on CHAN 2014
VfB Stuttgart holds 2014 training camp in Cape Town

Lifestyle
Best Dressed Man added to L'Ormarins fashion list

Automotive
Blackest festive season in SA history

Henrie Geyser: motoring editor

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