AAP

Marked down goods may be nudging more consumers to splash out even as household balance sheets remain under pressure.

The prime minister's visit to the United States has unlocked a $A5 billion deal with tech giant Microsoft to build a cyber shield and upskill Australians.

The ASX200 has fallen 0.8 per cent to its lowest level in 51 weeks as fighting worsens in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will discuss the AUKUS partnership with US lawmakers as part of his focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

The local share market lost 1.2 per cent on the day and 2.1 per cent for the week on rising US bond yields and broader fighting in the Middle East.

US stocks have dropped after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the economy's strength and tight labour markets could warrant further rate hikes.

The ASX200 has fallen below 7000, again putting the benchmark index in the red for the year, amid fears about the conflict in the Middle East.

Qantas has thrown in the towel on its attempt to buy charter operator Alliance Aviation after the deal was opposed by the ACCC.

The unemployment rate has edged lower to 3.6 per cent from 3.7 per cent as more people move into the labour force.

The local share market has climbed for a second straight day, rising 0.3 per cent as China announced its economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter.

Chevron workers in Western Australia have endorsed a series of draft enterprise agreements rather than go ahead with a planned strike at gas plants.

The local share market finished up 0.4 per cent, with stronger gains fading after the Reserve Bank highlighted it had a "low tolerance" to inflation.

Mining giant Rio Tinto says it remains on track to hit the upper half of its original forecast for 2023 iron ore shipments.

A national skills agreement will seek to train more Australians in high growth sectors, including in green energy, the care sector and digitisation.

Market sentiment has turned as Israel prepares to launch its counter-offensive, with the ASX finishing down 0.35 per cent.

Former WA MP James Hayward will spend at least 16 and a half months behind bars for sexually abusing a girl aged between six and eight.

Both sides of politics are pledging to focus on closing the Indigenous disadvantage gap after a referendum to constitutionally enshrine an advisory body failed.

The Australian share market has closed 0.6 per cent lower following a slightly hotter-than-expected US inflation report that put rate hikes back on the table.

The local share market has technically extended its winning streak to six days, with seven of the ASX's 11 sectors finishing in the green.

A months-long investigation into the disappearance of a radioactive mining capsule in outback WA has concluded with no charges or fines laid.

The new head of PwC Australia has apologised at a Senate hearing for the firm's role in passing on confidential Treasury information to private sector clients.

The ASX200 has finished up 0.7 per cent in its fifth straight day of gains amid a pullback in US bond yields and reports of new stimulus measures from Beijing.

Mortgage payments are at a record share of household disposable income, says a senior Reserve Bank official, and are expected to rise even further.

The ASX200 index finished 1.0 per higher following dovish remarks by several US Federal Reserve officials overnight.

US Defence stocks up, index adds 5.6 per cent; Energy biggest S&P sector gainer; Indexes up: Dow 0.59 per cent, S&P 0.63 per cent, Nasdaq 0.39 per cent.

The energy sector has finished up 3.0 per cent as oil prices hit a one-week high following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel over the weekend.

Businesses and industries will soon get their say on looming superannuation changes requiring employers to pay contributions at the same time as a worker's salary.

The ASX200 rose 0.4 per cent on Friday to finish the week down 1.2 per cent, before a non-farm payrolls report in the United States.

Hundreds of Chevron workers could walk off the job after talks to finalise labour agreements at two WA gas plants failed.

US stocks close level as Wall St awaits the monthly jobs report which will indicate whether the Federal Reserve will keep rates high.

Australian shares have finished 0.5 per cent higher after rallying in afternoon trading, a day after setting an 11-month low.

Both the local share market and the local currency have dropped to their lowest levels since November as bond yields soar to fresh 16-year highs.