AAP

Australian companies risk falling behind their overseas rivals because investors' demands for large dividends stymies investment in innovation.

Virgin Australia is on the cusp of returning to profitability, after lower fuel prices and improved market conditions helped the airline rein-in its full-year loss.

Western Australia is leading national trials in the farming of quinoa, with the crop a potentially lucrative export in the future.

Programmed Maintenance Services says its performance in the first three months of the 2015-16 financial year reflects the major transition occurring in the economy.

Banking giant ANZ will pay an extra $500 a year to women employees with low superannuation balances in an effort to close the gender gap in retirement savings.

Australia won't sign up to the massive trans-Pacific partnership trade deal if it can't get a better agreement for sugar farmers and clear up issues surrounding medicines and the rights of companie

The Australian share market has opened around one per cent higher after an easing of fears about Chinese stocks sparked a rebound on overseas markets.

US stocks have snapped a five-day losing streak, posting strong gains after positive earnings from UPS and a big rally in petroleum-linked stocks.

US crude oil prices have risen for the first time in five days, while Brent has dropped amid worries about global supplies ahead of the weekly US petroleum inventories report.

The Australian dollar has bounced amid relative calm on China's share market and a lift in iron ore prices.

Gold has firmed but remains near five-and-a-half-year lows as markets brace for this week's Federal Reserve meeting, at which policymakers are expected to give further clues on the timing of a US rate increase.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower, avoiding any major fallout from hefty falls by Chinese stocks.

Mining boss Andrew Forrest says he's not particularly concerned about sagging Chinese equities markets, despite the slump sparking worries about growth in the world's second biggest economy.

A renewed steep sell-off on the Chinese share market risks undermining improving levels of consumer confidence in Australia.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Wall Street equities took a hit after a big drop in the Chinese stock market sparked worries about global economic growth.

Oil prices have slumped for a fourth straight day as the steepest drop in Chinese equities since 2007 fuelled fresh fears about reduced demand in the world's top energy consumer.

The Australian dollar is weaker following an aggressive sell-off in Chinese equities.

Spot gold has lost ground, moving closer to last week's five-and-a-half- year lows below $USUS1,100 per ounce, with expectations for a near-term US interest rate hike seen keeping momentum firmly with the bears.

Monday was a horror first day back to the trading room for Atlas Iron as the Pilbara miner's share price plunged by more than 70 per cent.

The big miners have led the way as the Australian share market recovered from early jitters to end a run of three straight losses and close the day higher.

The National Australia Bank has joined the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ Bank in raising the interest rates it charges property investors, following measures announced by the banking regulator.

The Northern Territory and federal governments are fast-tracking what could be one of the world's largest prawn farms by granting major project status to the proposal being driven by a Perth-based company.

Shareholders of internet services provider iiNet have overwhelmingly approved a proposed $1.6 billion takeover of the company by TPG Telecom.

Goldminer Northern Star Resources sold a record amount of gold in the June quarter, putting it well within its sales guidance for the full year.

The Australian share market has opened lower in the wake of weak overseas leads and weak commodity prices.

Westpac will look to raise $750 million through a notes offer to lift its capital reserves ahead of a move from the banking regulator.

The Australian dollar has edged lower, weighed down by falling commodity prices and weak Chinese manufacturing data.

Spot gold has turned higher after sliding more than one per cent to its lowest since early 2010 on Friday, as the US dollar fell from its highs and US stocks extended losses, but the precious metal was on track to see the biggest weekly decline since March.

The share market has closed lower for a third straight day, following a weak lead from Wall Street and pessimistic manufacturing data from China.

Major changes to Western Australia's electoral boundaries have been proposed to reflect uneven population growth in the state.

Forcing Australia's wealthiest people to pay at least a minimum rate of tax would raise an additional $2.5 billion a year, modelling shows.