The ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful again this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected businesses in the ASX 200 index:
More bad press for National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
The big ASX bank looks like it might be in a bit more bother after two of Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd's (ASX: NEC) publications reported that the major bank knew it was selling prohibited products.
Supposedly chairman Dr Ken Henry knew that the bank was lending to SMSFs so that they could invest into managed funds, but SMSFs aren't generally allowed to borrow except for when there's a limited recourse borrowing arrangement in place, typically limited to a single asset of residential or business property.
Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) also in the spotlight
The casino operator has been in the news for negative news as well. More reporting by Nine Entertainment media aired allegations of links between organised crime and the 'junket operators' that bring Chinese gamblers to Crown's casinos.
Certain elements of the allegations have also been referred by the federal government to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.
The Crown share price ended the week down 5%.
NBN and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) at loggerheads
The bosses of Telstra and NBN have been disagreeing in public about what the NBN should do with its prices. If the NBN were to lower its wholesale prices then Telstra would be able to charge its customers less and perhaps also earn higher margins. Otherwise the NBN may lose customers to wireless 5G options.
Of course, the NBN Co CEO didn't like that suggestion.
More shareholder returns from Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)
The first major ASX share report has been delivered for this reporting season, from Rio Tinto.
As expected, there was an impressive increase in profit thanks to the strong commodity prices we're seeing, with a solid increase to the Rio Tinto ordinary dividend. The mining giant also revealed a special dividend of $1 billion for its shareholders.
