20 things you can do right now to fight the rising cost of living

Last week I wrote that we need to spend our money more wisely as inflation takes hold.

All the evidence now suggests we are entering a very tough year for the cost of living in Australia, and it will change how some people live.

Compare power companies’ prices online to find the cheapest energy provider.Credit:iStock

So here are 20 concrete ideas how you can navigate the price growth and save a buck.

Joel Gibson is the author of KILL BILLS! The 9 Insider Tricks you Need to Win the War on Household Bills. Catch his money-saving segments on Nine Radio, TODAY & Twitter @joelgibson.

The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day’s trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.

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GIL, John Menzies Reach Agreement On Terms Of Recommended Cash Offer

The board of GIL International Holdings V Limited, a subsidiary of Agility Public Warehousing Company, and the board of John Menzies plc (MNZS.L) have reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by GIL International for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Menzies not already owned by GIL. Each Menzies shareholder will be entitled to receive: 608 pence in cash per Menzies share. The deal values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Menzies at approximately 571 million pounds on a fully diluted basis and values Menzies at approximately 763 million pounds on an enterprise value basis.

Following completion of the deal, Agility will create the combined Group by combining Menzies’ business with that of its existing subsidiary, National Aviation Services. It is intended that Menzies and NAS will be combined and managed by a team drawn from both Menzies and NAS with the current Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Menzies in these roles in the Combined Group. The current NAS CEO is expected to assume the role of Chair of the Combined Group.

The Menzies Board intends to recommend that the shareholders vote or procure votes in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting.

China Automotive Systems Inc Q4 Earnings Summary

Below are the earnings highlights for China Automotive Systems Inc (CAAS):

Earnings: $5.0 million in Q4 vs. -$3.2 million in the same period last year.
EPS: $0.16 in Q4 vs. -$0.10 in the same period last year.
Revenue: $138.8 million in Q4 vs. $146.5 million in the same period last year.

Curious About ‘Moon Knight’? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Starring Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, the new Marvel series follows a troubled, crime-fighting caped crusader. But don’t mistake him for Batman.

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By Noel Murray

China Automotive Systems Swings To Profit In Q4

China Automotive Systems, Inc. (CAAS) announced Wednesday that net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders for the fourth quarter was $5.0 million or $0.16 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.2 million or $0.10 per share in the prior-year quarter.

Net sales for the quarter declined 5.3 percent to $138.8 million from $146.5 million in the same quarter last year, mainly due to a change in the product mix and lower demand for automobiles.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2022, the company projects revenues of $510 million, based on the Company’s current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Pearson’s Board Confident In Its Direct To Consumer, Lifelong Learning Strategy

Pearson PLC (PSO,PSON.L) issued a statement as response to announcement from Apollo Global Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries that it is no longer evaluating a cash offer for Pearson. Pearson’s Board is confident that the direct to consumer, lifelong learning strategy set out by Management in March 2021 will create sustainable, long-term value for the company’s stakeholders.

The Board of Pearson unanimously rejected the third proposal from Apollo as it significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects. The third proposal valued the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Pearson at 870 pence per share. Under Apollo’s proposal, eligible Pearson shareholders would also be entitled to receive the previously announced fiscal 2021 dividend of 14.2 pence per share which, when taken together with the proposal price, represented a total value of 884.2 pence per share.

Oil Rebounds After Two-day Decline

Oil prices rebounded on Wednesday after suffering losses in the previous two sessions amid signs of progress in Russia-Ukraine talks and concerns over new lockdowns in Shanghai.

Benchmark Brent crude futures jumped 1.7 percent to $109.53 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures were up nearly 2 percent at $106.28.

Ukrainian authorities said that attacks continued overnight around Chernihiv and Kyiv, despite Russia’s pledge to scale back some military operations.

U.S President Joe Biden asked whether the Russian announcement was a sign of progress in the talks or an attempt by Moscow to buy time to continue its assault.

Poland, which has already largely reduced its dependence on Russian oil, is now calling on other European Union countries to cut dependence on fuel imports from Russia.

Traders were also reacting to industry data showing that U.S. crude stockpiles dropped more than expected last week.

The American Petroleum Institute report showed U.S. crude inventories fell by 3 million barrels in the week ended March 25, compared with expectations for decline of about 1.6 million barrels. The industry body reported a draw of 4.3 million barrels in the previous week.

Official data from the Energy Information Administration is due later in the session.