1. Cannon-Brookes & Canadians want to close down coal
Local billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canadian private equity firm Brookfield want to buy energy supplier AGL and close down its coal-fired power stations. And they’re prepared to pay $7 billion for AGL or $7.50 a share. This comes as the company has been working towards a demerger of its power generation and retail assets within two years. The takeover plan aims to close down coal-fired power stations quickly to replace it with power from renewable sources. Insiders think the board will reject the $7.50 offer.

2. NSW teachers want pay rise
NSW teachers want a pay rise between 5% and 7.5% but are not ready to strike for it, yet. This is the first sign that we could end up with a significant inflation problem if other big unions follow suit and go for wage hikes as big as 7.5%. NSW teachers went out on strike in November last year and have their pay rise claim before the Industrial Relations Commission but could strike again in Term 2 if their pay claim fails. The education department has offered 2.5%.

3. Will interest rates rise ahead of schedule?
And wage data out this week could be the catalyst for an interest rate rise for those with a mortgage, ahead of schedule in June! Here are the key numbers to watch: The Reserve Bank thinks wages rose by 0.6% in the December quarter from the quarter before. This would mean wages rose by 2.25% for the year but if the number is 0.8%, the annual wage rise goes to 3%, and that’s the magic number that the RBA boss Dr Phil Lowe has said would make him bring forward interest rate rises.

4. Sydney-wide train strike today
Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink intercity services aren’t running Monday because of an industrial action, Sydney Trains North Shore & Western Line said in a tweet.

5. ASX to open lower
ASX futures were down 51 points or 0.7 % to 7094, while the AUD was -0.2% to 71.77 US cents. On Wall St: Dow -0.5% S&P 500 -1.1% Nasdaq -1.6%. 2-year yield: US 1.47% Australia 1.17%. 10-year yield: US 1.92% Australia 2.17%.