AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia should slash interest rates to a fresh record low next month, Westpac's top economist says, as new figures show consumers remain pessimistic.

Western Australia is in the grip of a baby boom, says Commerce Minister Michael Mischin.

US internet television network Netflix says it is ready to fight for Australian and New Zealand viewers in what it describes as highly competitive markets.

Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mining operation has had a crane incident while safety inspectors were observing the operation, and has blamed its contractors for serious issues.

BHP Billiton will reduce its drilling activity in US shale by 40 per cent to try and release cash flow in response to the plunging oil price.

The share market is higher after mining giant BHP Billiton reported a stronger production result.

US stocks have finished with modest gains helped by firm buying in tech stocks, after a day spent mostly well in the red.

The Australian dollar is lower as falling oil prices and a downgrade to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) global growth forecasts weighs on market sentiment.

Gold reached a five-month high on Tuesday as investors sought to safeguard their wealth from uncertainty surrounding the euro.

The share market finished flat as weaker oil and base metal prices dented the resource stocks.

The ports of Dampier and Port Hedland have been reopened after the threat of a tropical cyclone developing off Western Australia’s north coast eased off.

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower, following falls in metals and oil prices overnight.

Western Australia's biggest iron ore producer, Rio Tinto, has reported record sales for 2014, on the same day that its major customer, China, announced its slowest rate of economic growth in 24 years.

Gold prices were lower in Europe Monday, settling lower on reduced physical demand after the highs of the previous week.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower in quiet trade with US markets closed for the Martin Luther King public holiday.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says changes to Medicare and pensions are needed because a future generation could live to the age of 150.

The share market has broken a five-day losing streak despite a sharp drop on China's market denting the major banks.

Ports in Western Australia's north are being evacuated while residents prepare their homes for a possible cyclone that could bring strong winds to coastal areas.

Macquarie Group is on track to post its biggest profit in eight years, as the lower Australian dollar and improved market activity bolsters its earnings.

Recent trading in the uranium market shows more buyers are expecting prices to rise.

Australians face a 13 year shortfall in retirement funds, and almost half the population admit they are not adequately prepared.

The Australian share market has opened the week higher after Wall Street and European markets rose more than one per cent on Friday.

Copper prices extended their rebound on Friday, as some investors judged Wednesday's drop to five and a half year lows as too extreme despite continued worries about demand.

The Australian dollar has eased off a little after rallying on Friday on the back of the Swiss central bank's shock currency announcement.

Gold prices extended their rally on Friday to lock in a 5 per cent gain for the week as worries about global growth and turbulence in currency markets spurred investment demand for haven assets.

Laboratory services group ALS has beaten its own profit forecast by 15 per cent thanks largely to cost cutting.

The sharemarket has fallen for a fifth straight day, capping its worst week in 18 months.

Two more mining companies have been targeted in drug raids in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Miners don't need to be told times are tough but they must adapt quickly or perish, says a new report by consultants Deloitte.

The Australian sharemarket is lower in the wake of a surprise move by the Swiss central bank to strengthen its currency.

Wall Street stocks have fallen for a fifth straight day following disappointing US bank earnings and a surprise move by the Swiss central bank to strengthen its currency.

The oil market has tumbled after OPEC said it produced more oil in December than its limit, despite sharply falling prices, and lowered its global demand outlook for its crude.