AAP

A photomapping company led by Perth tech entrepreneur Rob Newman has swung into the red following its expansion into the US.

Construction and contract mining firm CIMIC Group is set for a solid 2016 after lifting its underlying annual profit by 20 per cent.

The future looks bright for Boral, with a string of major road and infrastructure projects on the horizon as the building products maker benefits from the residential construction boom in NSW.

AGL Energy has swung to a half-year net loss of $449 million after accounting for writedowns from its decision to exit natural gas exploration and production.

Digital products such as books, movies and games purchased by Australians from overseas could soon attract the GST.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has lifted first half cash profit 3.92 per cent to a record $4.804 billion, but has decided against increasing its interim dividend.

The Australian share market has opened lower, weighed down by energy and resource stocks on the back of global oil price declines.

US stocks ended a volatile session barely lower as a late-day rally led by materials and healthcare shares offset another big drop in oil prices.

Australian dollar is higher as more investors bet on the US Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy amid global volatility.

Gold has turned higher but hovers beneath the previous session's seven-and-a-half-month high of $US1,200 an ounce, buoyed by risk aversion as equities remain volatile and the dollar extends losses.

A Mandurah-based payday lender that collected exorbitant fees and interest repayments from customers will pay them back $34,500.

Renewed fears about slowing global growth have wiped $47 billion off the value of the Australian share market, which suffered its biggest fall in more than four months.

A planned $692 million takeover of Broadspectrum hangs in the balance amid uncertainty about its federal government contract.

Cash Converters International has secured a new $100 million loan with Fortress Investment Group to support the lender and second hand good retailer's future growth.

The Australian share market has opened more than 1.5 per cent lower following sharp overnight falls in New York as investors fret over global economic growth prospects.

US stocks have fallen as concern over global economic growth hit banks and other economically sensitive shares.

Australian dollar has slipped amid pressure from weaker commodity prices and global volatility.

The price of gold has jumped two per cent to a seven-and-a-half-month high, briefly nudging above the psychological level of $US1,200 an ounce, as sliding stock markets and worries over global economic growth prompt investors to seek safety.

The company operating Australia's Nauru and Manus Island detention centres has had its contract extended but is no longer the sole preferred bidder for the next five-year deal.

The Australian share market closed broadly flat as falls across the banking sector were offset by gains in resource companies.

Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded Western Australia's credit rating to Aa2, reflecting an ongoing deterioration in the state's finances and concern that the government will be unable to meet its own spending targets.

JB Hi-Fi expects continual expansion of its home appliance business to cushion it from a competitive electronics market.

The long-running takeover battle for Australian rail and ports operator Asciano is set to intensify after the consortium led by QUBE Holdings improved on its offer price.

The Australian market is lower, dragged down by the financial and resource sectors after a disappointing performance in the US.

The Australian dollar has continued to slide as the greenback "roars back to life" amid hopes of a US labour market recovery.

Gold has risen to a three-month high in volatile trade, as a mixed US jobs report prompted investors to reassess the outlook for US interest rates in 2016, putting bullion on track for its strongest weekly performance in more than a year.

The Australian share market finished the trading day slightly lower, as falls in financial and retail stocks were partly offset by gains by the big miners.

Perth house prices are likely to fall by 3-5 per cent this year as the mining-dependent economy teeters on the verge of recession.

Mining giant BHP Billiton can defend its credit rating by scrapping its controversial progressive dividend policy, ratings agency Standard and Poor's says.

The rollout of Australia's new superfast broadband network NBN is gaining traction as the company in charge of building and operating the service delivers strong results.

The long-running takeover battle for Australian ports and rail operator Asciano will continue after the competition watchdog delayed its decision on the rival bids.

The Australian market has opened lower as investors play it cautiously ahead of the release of key US jobs data.