AAP

The ASX200 has hit a new high in intraday trading and finished just under its all-time closing record amid optimism the RBA will cut rates at its next meeting.

US stocks ended lower overnight, but off their lows of the day, with the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady as expected.

More than 250 outlets of two leading retail chains will close, costing nearly 1000 jobs, after receivers failed to find a buyer for the stores.

The ASX200 has risen 0.6 per cent to approach its all-time high after cooling inflation increased the chances of an earlier interest rate cut.

US stocks ended higher overnight, with Nvidia and other artificial intelligence-linked technology shares recovering from sharp losses the previous day as investors snapped up bargains.

The ASX200 has finished down 0.1 per cent, with double-digit losses for uranium developers as the rise of cheap Chinese AI prompts a rethink of narratives.

The Nasdaq posted its biggest one-day percentage drop since December 18 on overnight as a low-cost Chinese artificial intelligence model prompted a steep selloff in US chipmakers.

The ASX200 rose 0.4 per cent on Friday to finish up 1.2 per cent for the week as Donald Trump demanded cuts in oil prices and interest rates.

Apprentices will get a hip-pocket boost as the prime minister prepares for an election, but some question whether this will tackle workforce shortages.

The benchmark S&P 500 rose to a record closing high overnight as investors assess a mixed bag of corporate earnings and digest comments from President Donald Trump, including a call for cuts in interest rates and oil prices.

Taxpayers will fork out a $50 million debt lifeline to Rex, with the federal government stepping in for a second bid to sell the embattled airline.

The ASX200 has snapped its three-day winning streak with a 0.6 per cent drop, while the Australian dollar was close to a one-month high.

Wall Street's indexes rose overnight with the benchmark S&P 500 hitting a record high during the session.

Optimism about the Trump presidency's implications for markets and the economy has driven Australian shares to further gains as the ASX200 rises 0.4 per cent.

The ASX200 rose 0.7 per cent to finish at a six-week high, while the Aussie dollar climbed to its highest level in two weeks against the greenback.

Australia and the US maintain a strong economic relationship, the foreign minister says, as Donald Trump retakes office as president and spikes concerns about trade tariffs.

The ASX200 has risen on the back of strong international sentiment as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, with gains for major miners and banks.

US stocks rallied on Friday to close out a strong week on optimism over the health of the country's economy and path of interest rates.

The ASX200 index has finished Friday down 0.2 per cent, but has risen by a similar amount for the week.

Mining heavyweights Rio Tinto and Glencore reportedly held talks in 2024 about a possible merge, but it is unclear whether the talks are still live.

US stocks dipped overnight as a jump in the prior session cooled.

The ASX200 index has risen 1.4 per cent, with every sector gaining ground after US inflation came in cooler than expected.

With political stalwart Bill Shorten set to step away from parliament in the coming days, WA MP Anne Aly has been named junior NDIS minister alongside Amanda Rishworth.

The ASX200 index slipped 0.2 per cent before latest US inflation figures are released and may curb expectations of interest rate cuts there.

The prime minister is blitzing Tasmania as he doubles down on the election contest being a choice on Australia's future.

The ASX200 index finished up almost 0.5 per cent, with the heavyweight mining sector climbing the most on a jump in Chinese demand.

The Nasdaq fell overnight, while the benchmark S&P 500 bounced off a two-month low and eked out a slight gain.

The ASX200 fell 1.2 per cent and the dollar hit a nearly five-year low after a strong US jobs report lowered expectations for quick rate cuts.

Peter Dutton has made a personal pitch to voters and promised to rein in government spending at the coalition's first campaign rally ahead of the federal election.

The ASX200 fell on Friday but finished the week 0.5 per cent higher, recovering from a slight fall during the previous five days of trading.

Fears of a gas supply shortfall have been tempered for now, with the consumer watchdog projecting a surplus for Australia's east coast.

The ASX200 index has managed to recoup some of its losses and finish on the highs of the day, down just a quarter of a percentage point.