The week in numbers to July 25
The big and small numbers that grabbed attention - or should have - in the business world over the past week.
Monday:
14.99 per cent - Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, is reportedly considering launching a takeover bid for Fairfax Media, in which she currently holds a near 15 per cent stake.
Tuesday:
$200 million - James Packer and his sister Gretel have set up a $200 million National Philanthropic Fund to follow the example of their late father, media tycoon Kerry Packer, and mother Roslyn.
Wednesday:
Three per cent - Inflation for the year to June came in at three per cent, which is at the upper end of the central bank's target range. Are we going to see the end of our run of record low interest rates?
Thursday:
$2.5 billion - Australia's biggest gold miner Newcrest is facing yet more impairment charges, this time of between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. The charge mainly relates to writing down the value of some of its mines. Earlier this week, Newcrest vowed to fight a class action by shareholders hurt by a $6 billion financial writedown in 2013.
Friday:
40 per cent - Perth-based miner Buxton Resources' shares hit a 15 month high on Friday, adding more than 40 per cent, after it announced the discovery of high-grade graphite in one of its projects. Buxton's good fortune, of course, does nothing to ease the tragedy faced by its managing director Anthony Maslin who has taken indefinite leave after his three children were killed on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine. Best wishes in terrible times.
