AAP

The end of the year has brought a ripple of optimism among consumers even as financial pressures stick around.

The local share market has finished 0.2 per cent lower after a Federal Reserve official pushed back on the idea of rate cuts in early 2024.

Global vehicle manufacturing, including China's need for raw materials for electric cars exported to the world, are driving iron ore and aluminium exports.

The local share market finished Friday up 0.9 per cent to gain 3.4 per cent for the week after the Fed's dovish pivot.

Australia's energy transition is urgent and faces significant risks if red tape, community uncertainty and supply chain issues are not fixed, officials warn.

The ASX200 has closed up 1.65 per cent to hit a four-month high, while the Aussie dollar climbed to more than 67 US cents on a mixed domestic jobs report.

Some 61,000 jobs were added to the economy in November as the jobless rate lifted to 3.9 per cent, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.

The local share market rose 0.3 per cent, with Fortescue and Rio Tinto hitting new highs while a drop in oil prices pressured producers.

The federal treasurer has announced a better-than-expected $1.1 billion deficit for this financial year, with revenue upgrades banked to help fight inflation.

The ASX200 rose 0.5 per cent to finish at a 13-week high, with every sector rising except for mining, which was flat.

Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says cash use is sliding and putting pressure on the business models that underpin access to notes and coins.

The local bourse lost steam in the afternoon to finish basically unchanged as concerns about China weighed on mining stocks.

Privately held Chemist Warehouse has agreed to merge with Sigma Healthcare in a deal that will create a retailer worth around $9 billion.

The ASX200 has overcome its morning losses to close the day 0.3 per cent higher and rise 1.7 per cent for the week.

The Reserve Bank's inflation and employment goals have been outlined in an updated statement, including the board's role in achieving full employment.

The Australian share market recovered to finish just 0.1 per cent down after whipsawing oil prices sent energy stocks on a wild rollercoaster ride.

The Australian share market recovered to finish just 0.1 per cent down after whipsawing oil prices sent energy stocks on a wild rollercoaster ride.

The ASX 200 made its biggest daily gain in more than a year as lower-than-expected GDP growth signals the RBA's rate rises are having their intended effect.

A resilient but patchy Australian economy is expected to be on display when the Bureau of Statistics releases the latest national accounts figures.

The ASX200 closed down 0.9 per cent despite the Reserve Bank's decision to keep interest rates on hold at its final meeting of 2023.

Greenpeace climate activists have scaled a 140-metre crane in a protest against Woodside Energy, saying the gas producer is Australia's biggest climate threat.

The ASX200 has climbed 0.7 per cent as investors feel more confident global central banks will stop tightening rates earlier than previously thought.

The treasurer will host roundtables with banks, investors and philanthropists to try and secure private sector investment for energy, defence and social issues.

The local share market has recouped most of its morning losses to finish down 0.2 per cent, ending the week in positive territory.

The ASX200 had a strong afternoon, turning around its slight morning losses to close the day up 0.74 per cent.

The death of an Indigenous teenager from a self-inflicted injury has prompted Western Australia's government to close a youth detention facility.

The local share market finished 0.3 per higher after October's inflation readout came in cooler than expected.

Inflation cooled to 4.9 per cent over the 12 months to October, down from the 5.6 per cent growth recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in September.

The Australian share market finished up 0.4 per cent, while the local currency hit its highest level against the greenback in four months.

The Reserve Bank is set to scrutinise the latest retail trade figures as it continues its battle to wrestle inflation back to its target rate.

The ASX200 has fallen almost 0.8 per cent, with every sector except technology losing ground as China issued a warning on iron ore pricing.

US stocks have closed mixed as investors digested data pointing to possible slowing economic conditions.