The sharemarket posted its fifth straight week of gains, its longest winning stretch in more than six months after economic data that showed the economic recovery is gathering momentum, especially domestically. The ASX 200 rose 1.1 per cent for the week to finish at 4818.1.

Australian shares posted their biggest gains in more than 11 years yesterday on the back of the massive bail-out of troubled United States bank Citigroup and signs that the US Congress is preparing a fiscal stimulus package expected to top $US500 billion ($780 billion).

Concessions can ease the capital gains tax burden for small-business owners looking to sell, writes George Cochrane.

IF AUSTRALIANS continue to outstrip the weight gains of previous generations, today's young adults could knock as much as two years off their life.

The American military is fighting a rearguard action to preserve gains made in Iraq, writes Paul McGeough.