AAP

The state government is considering enforcing a floor price on takeaway booze to stop people getting drunk on cheap alcohol, but the opposition says it is a cost impost on households and red tape burden on businesses.

The competition watchdog has expressed concern that big four bank profits are being boosted by regulation rather than the lenders' own performance.

Kerry Stokes' Seven Group Holdings has announced it will buy the remaining half of its stake in equipment hire company, Coates Hire, for $517 million.

BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has seen his annual pay more than double in FY17 after his short term incentive payments (STI) were restored during the year.

Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder landed a $12.1 million pay packet in his final full year in charge of the Coles and Bunnings operator, while BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie also lifted his total income, but he remained a long way short of the Perth businessman.

The Australian market has opened weaker with falls across most sectors as investors wait for the outcome of the two-day US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

The Australian dollar has followed US stocks higher as as investors stayed away from making major bets ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting.

Oil prices ended lower on Tuesday, retreating from near five-month highs ahead of a meeting between key oil producers on the outlook for further supply cuts.

Gold rose from the previous day's two-week low as the US dollar slipped ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting that is expected to provide more clues on the pace of US monetary tightening.

The Australian share market has closed higher as investors rotate from the mining sector into the big banks as expectations of interest rate hikes strengthen.

The consumer watchdog says some car manufacturers could be breaching Australian consumer law by leaving dealers high and dry over customer complaints.

Shares in TPG Telecom have soared after the fourth-ranked internet player beat its earnings forecast and delivered a 9 per cent lift in full-year profit.

Shares in Australia's biggest cattle exporter, Wellard, have surged after the company agreed terms for its long-awaited first shipment of beef cattle to China.

Ten Network creditors have voted to accept CBS's bid for the embattled broadcaster, rejecting a rival proposal from Bruce Gordon and Lachlan Murdoch.

The Australian share market has opened higher, with broad-based gains, after US markets lifted to further record highs.

The Australian dollar is sharply lower against its US counterpart as the greenback strengthened despite little major news to drive it.

Global crude oil prices have slipped slightly but have stayed close to multi-month highs as traders brace for a potential stockpile build, expected later this week.

Gold has fallen one per cent, touching a two-and-a-half-week low, as the US dollar strengthened and US Treasury yields rose ahead of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting, while a world stock market index surged to a record and Wall Street also hit new highs.

The Australian share market has closed higher as investors rotate from the mining sector into the big banks as expectations of interest rate hikes strengthen.

A thousand gold industry members gathered at a rally in Kalgoorlie today to protest the McGowan government’s proposed gold royalty increase.

Bruce Gordon has failed in his attempt to derail CBS's takeover of Ten Network after the NSW Supreme Court ruled the embattled broadcaster's administrator gave creditors sufficient information about his rival bid.

Rio Tinto chief financial officer Chris Lynch will retire next year after more than four years in the role.

The Australian market has opened higher after key US markets hit fresh record highs amid easing concerns around North Korea.

The Australian dollar has inched higher to creep just above 80 US cents.

Brent oil prices have held near five-month highs and were on track for the biggest weekly gain since late July, on forecasts for rising demand and the gradual restart of US oil refineries.

Gold prices have fallen after a European Central Bank (ECB) official calls for scaling back the bank's stimulus program, although losses were capped when weaker-than-expected US economic data raised questions about further interest rate hikes.

The Australian share market has closed lower for a third consecutive session as North Korea's latest missile launch over Japan spooked investors.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce's annual pay has soared to nearly $25 million, catapulting him into the ranks of the best-paid bosses in Australian corporate history, after he successfully steered the carrier's turnaround with two consecutive years of profit.

The Australian share market has opened lower with investors nervous after North Korea fired a missile over Japan for the second time in a month, re-igniting geopolitical tensions.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower against its US counterpart which enjoyed a brief boost from US CPI data before turning back lower.

Oil prices have risen, with Brent closing at a five-month high, as the US dollar weakened and after a string of reports forecasting the market would tighten further as fuel demand increased.

Gold has rebounded from a two-week low as North Korea threatened the United States and Japan, and the dollar softened despite strong US consumer inflation data, which could allow further interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve.