AAP

The share market has closed 0.74 per cent lower as traders await another key US inflation report that will likely influence the direction of interest rates.

A $10 billion fund that will be used to build thousands of social and affordable homes has passed the Senate after months of negotiations.

A wary consumer is starting to hit vulnerable sections of the private sector, with more business failures likely to come.

After being down as much as 0.5 per cent before lunchtime, the local share market has finished 0.2 per cent higher.

Australian businesses are still faring pretty well, but consumers remain fearful despite the interest rate hiking cycle drawing to a close.

A $10 billion housing investment fund is set to be debated in the Senate and passed by the end of the week after the government struck a deal with the Greens.

The local share market has rebounded to close 0.5 per cent higher, after being down as much as 0.3 per cent in morning trade.

A free pass on diesel use for the mining sector is preventing Australia from becoming an industrial powerhouse and battery manufacturer, a think tank says.

The local share market has finished 0.2 per cent lower, losing 1.7 per cent for the week.

The financial services regulator alleges AustralianSuper charged members the same set of fees multiple times and failed to consolidate duplicate accounts.

The local share market has closed 1.2 per cent lower after strong service-sector data in the US renewed fears about inflation there.

The reporting date for an inquiry into laws to close labour hire loopholes has been pushed into next year, effectively ending its chances of passing this year.

The local share market has finished 0.8 per cent lower, with every sector save energy losing ground.

Tax credits for processing in-demand battery minerals onshore are "on the table" as the federal government considers the next phase of industry support.

The local share market has finished basically unchanged after the Reserve Bank kept rates on hold for a third month, while the local currency plummeted.

The corporate regulator has alleged that between 2015 and 2022 Westpac didn't respond to financial hardship notices from 229 customers.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will leave his job immediately - two months earlier than expected - to allow the airline to "accelerate its renewal".

The local share market has gained 0.6 per cent following a US labour market report seen to reduce the odds of another rate hike.

A loophole allowing labour hire workers to be paid less than other employees is in the federal government's sights.

The local share market has finished 0.4 per cent lower, snapping its four-day winning streak on profit-taking ahead of an key monthly US jobs report.

The head of the consumer watchdog wants Qantas to face a fine of $250 million if a cancelled tickets case against it is successful.

The local share market has finished 0.1 per cent higher, closing out August 1.4 per cent lower after being down as much as 4.3 per cent a week and a half ago.

Business investment has picked up because of solid growth across buildings, machinery and equipment, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.

The consumer watchdog is taking Qantas to court, alleging the airline continued to sell tickets for 8000 flights that had already been cancelled.

The local share market has posted its best performance in since July 13, rising 1.2 per cent as cooling inflation reduced the odds of another rate hike.

Australia's financial regulator has laid out its expectations of lenders when it comes to supporting financially troubled customers.

The local share market has closed 0.7 per cent higher, with Wesfarmers climbing its farthest since February 2022.

The local share market finished up 0.6 per cent after a closely watched address by Fed chairman Jerome Powell at a summit of central bankers.

Concern about what Fed chairman Jerome Powell will say at a forthcoming meeting had the ASX closing down 0.9 per cent for the day and 0.5 per cent for the week.

Global investment firm PAG has bought hospitality group Australian Venue Co, owner of 210 pubs, bars and restaurants across Australia and New Zealand.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia is very exposed to the economic slowdowns taking place in China.

The ASX finished up 0.5 per cent, with more strong gains for tech stocks after Nvidia posted a "jaw-dropping" earnings beat.