AAP

Mining giant BHP Billiton's half-year net profit has dived by 47.4 per cent to $US4.3 billion ($A5.52 billion) after a period of plummeting iron ore prices.

The Australian dollar is back below 78 US cents as commodity prices fall and the US dollar bounces back from last week's fall.

Oil prices have fallen, extending last week's slide as US crude supplies linger at historic levels.

Gold prices have fallen, as a deal between Greece and its European creditors calms nerves in asset markets and lessens the need for holding gold as a hedge against uncertainty.

Troubled mining services company Boart Longyear is confident demand for its services will pick up eventually, despite posting a $US333million first-half loss during the 2014 calendar year.

Strength in the financial and property sectors has lifted the share market.

The housing boom will continue to drive earnings in the medium term, says global construction group Lend Lease, which lifted half-year profit by 25 per cent to $315.6 million on the back of strong demand for apartments.

The Australian share market has opened flat as investors exercise caution until they get a clearer picture of how Greece's debt situation will unfold.

Engineering group UGL has suffered a first-half loss due to one-off write-downs and provisions as the slowdown in resource sector investment continues to bite.

The Australian dollar is higher, as market sentiment improves on the back of a positive outcome in the Greek bailout negotiations.

Gold prices have fallen as a deal between Greece and its creditors took shape, easing worries about the eurozone and driving investors out of the haven metal.

Perth Mint says a new agreement allowing the Australian Crime Commission access to documents is not related to any investigation.

The Australian share market has closed lower in a choppy session bereft of positive drivers.

Gas and power transporter DUET Group has stuck with its guidance for full year payouts to its shareholders despite a 60 per cent fall in half year profit.

Adelaide-based oil and gas producer Santos has frozen its senior executives' salaries after falling to a $935 million full year net loss.

The Australian share market has opened almost flat after a mixed night of trade on overseas stock markets.

A disappointing forecast from Wal-Mart and weakness in oil stocks have pushed the Dow lower, while the Nasdaq edged closer to 5,000 thanks to strong results from Priceline.

Andrew Penn has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Telstra, replacing David Thodey who announced his retirement after almost six years at the helm.

The Australian dollar is lower, weighed down by tensions over Greece's bailout negotiations with European officials.

Oil prices have fallen after the US government reported crude inventories increased again to record highs, adding to concerns about the global supply glut.

The share market has closed lower as investors took profits from the rally sparked by a massive takeover offer for Toll, and many celebrated the Chinese New Year.

Virgin Australia has narrowed its first-half loss to $53.1 million, driven by a five-year $1 billion cost-cutting program and domestic yield growth.

Shares in James Packer's Crown casino group have soared despite a 47 per cent slump in first-half profit.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has warned that while Australia's economic fundamentals are strong, it would be irresponsible to assume that performance will last forever.

Diversified conglomerate Wesfarmers is upbeat on the outlook for its businesses after its flagship division, Coles, lifted its first-half earnings more than 7 per cent.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

US stocks have recovered from early losses to finish little-changed as Federal Reserve meeting minutes suggested it would wait longer before raising interest rates.

The Australian dollar is lower despite getting an initial boost following the release of the US Federal Reserve's January policy meeting minutes.

Oil prices have fallen before the release of a report on US crude inventories as traders kept an eye on unrest in crude exporter Libya.

Gold has reversed losses after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting show some central bank officials were worried about raising rates too soon.

The share market has closed higher as a massive takeover offer for logistics group Toll sent its stocks soaring.

Iron ore miner and steel company Arrium has slammed the federal government for failing to crack down on the dumping of cheap foreign steel imports.