AAP

Rio Tinto is expected to keep its promise to increase returns to shareholders this week.

Telstra is expected to have made a profit of more than $2 billion in the six months to December, but an even larger number is set to attract the most attention.

Premier Colin Barnett says the state government will turn its attention to expanding the boundaries of the City of Perth, after he conceded his plan to halve the number of local governments in the

A man has died after a rock fall at BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam underground copper mine in South Australia, while another man has been killed after being struck by a train near Guildford Station.

The share market has opened lower amid fears of a Greek debt default.

Wall Street stocks have followed followed European equity markets lower, dropping on growing fears of a Greek default and exit from the eurozone.

Oil prices have advanced further as OPEC forecast a reduction in US output amid a dip in North American crude production.

The Australian dollar has rebounded back above 78 US cents as the greenback lost its edge overnight.

Gold prices have risen after tough talk by Greece's newly elected government sparked fears about the integrity of the eurozone.

The share market's stellar run has come to an end as a sharp drop in Chinese imports caused weakness in the mining sector.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's profit is expected to have hit a record of at least $4.5 billion in the first half of the financial year, as it rides the wave of a booming housing market.

Australia's largest gold miner Newcrest Mining is expected to report a first half loss as production continues to wane.

The Australian sharemarket is trading lower and could be on its way to ending 12 straight sessions of gains, as investors react to sluggish Chinese trade figures and take profits.

Tony Abbott has survived a Liberal party room leadership spill, but his standing as prime minister has taken a battering.

The Australian dollar has drifted lower following better-than-expected US jobs figures and Chinese trade numbers.

Gold has slumped to its lowest level in three weeks as some investors recalibrate their outlook on US interest rates after a stronger-than-expected US jobs report.

The share market has notched up its longest ever rally, with a 12th straight day of gains coming on strength in the mining and energy sector.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut its forecasts for economic growth as a pick-up in non-mining investment takes longer than earlier expected.

The share market has opened in positive territory for a record 12th straight day, on a strong lead from Wall Street as a rise in oil prices.

The Dow has finished more than 200 points higher on surging oil prices and merger activity on the eve of the closely watched US jobs report.

Oil prices have rallied in volatile trading, partly erasing the previous day's heavy losses in what analysts said was mostly a technical rebound.

Gold has nudged lower as a stronger US equities market and shifting expectations for US interest rates hemmed in traders' appetite for the haven asset.

The Australian dollar has bounced back above 78 US cents as rising oil prices give risk appetite a boost.

Retail spending is still soft, as weak consumer confidence outweighs any boost from falling petrol prices.

A bushfire is hampering mining operations for BHP Billiton and Newmont Mining at two Western Australian sites.

The share market has achieved its longest winning streak in more than 11 years, with the financial sector driving its latest day of gains.

National Australia Bank has cut interest rates for home owners after unveiling a $1.65 billion first-quarter profit.

Local governments are the main source of corruption in Western Australia, Premier claims.

All four of the major banks will pass on the Reserve Bank of Australia rate cut, though customers will have to wait at least another week for the cheaper rates to apply.

US fund management giant The Capital Group has taken a 5 per cent stake in the world's fourth biggest iron ore miner, Fortescue Metals Group.

Downer's share price has fallen after the company blamed a mining downturn for a 4 per cent slide in first-half profit.

The share market has opened weaker after a 10-day winning streak as oil prices fell.