AAP

US equities have powered to fresh records after the Bank of Japan's surprise stimulus ignited a rally on global stock exchanges.

Gold futures have sunk to a four-year low after Japan's plans to expand stimulus efforts catapulted the US dollar near a seven-year high against the yen and breathed new life into the equities rally.

Shipbuilder Austal expects to deliver a dividend this financial year as its works through $2.6 billion in orders for the US Navy and Australian Customs.

The share market has closed higher as the big miners rebounded from recent falls and ANZ's record profit helped the banks.

Australia is expected to become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas within four years, according to an HSBC report.

Wealth manager Macquarie Group's profit has surged by 35 per cent on the back of strong demand for fixed-income investments and a weakening Australian dollar.

The consumer watchdog is "painstakingly" sifting through data to ensure households are paying less for their electricity after the repeal of the carbon tax.

Newcrest Mining is considering changing its remuneration structure in response to criticism over what some see as the company's generous salary packages.

ANZ Banking Group's chief executive thinks the world can handle the end of US economic stimulus measures but warns that Australia's Financial System Inquiry may damage the local economy.

The share market has opened higher after a rise on US markets overnight and market heavyweight ANZ achieved strong profit growth.

The Australian dollar has followed US stocks higher as it recovers from its steep fall following the US central bank meeting.

Strong earnings by credit card giant Visa sent its stock soaring, almost single-handedly powering the Dow to a 1.3 per cent gain.

World oil prices have fallen back after two days of modest gains, as the market was not encouraged by a stronger-than-expected estimate of US economic growth in the third quarter.

Gold prices have slid to the lowest level in nearly a month and other precious metals have also fallen sharply, as hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve and strong US economic data indicate the central bank could raise interest rates sooner than expected.

Declining national income is another headache for Treasurer Joe Hockey as he prepares for his mid-year budget review.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he's fighting fit and intends to stand for re-election in 2017.

The share market has closed higher as the big banks continued their strong run, despite a fall in profit for National Australia Bank.

Broking firms have made bids of almost $12 billion for the Abbott government's sale of health insurer Medibank Private.

National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Thorburn says the company must get out of its troubled UK banking business to improve returns.

A lack of housing supply, rather than foreign or domestic investors, are driving house price rises, property developer Mirvac Group says.

The Australian share market has opened higher despite a drop in US markets overnight.

A solid lift in sales at Coles supermarkets and hardware chain Bunnings have pushed Wesfarmers' latest quarterly retail sales above $13.5 billion.

The Australian dollar has dropped more than one US cent after the Federal Reserve issued an upbeat assessment of the American employment market.

Wall Street stocks have finished lower after the US Federal Reserve ended its quantitative easing stimulus program, but said it would continue to keep its benchmark interest rate low.

World oil prices have rallied after a smaller-than-expected increase in US crude inventories and the OPEC chief's comments that recent price falls are unjustifed.

Gold prices have extended their losses in electronic trading Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve said it would end its bond-purchase program and modestly upgraded its view on the job market.

The share market is weaker as investors cautiously wait for the big banks to deliver their full-year results.

If you thought last week's inflation numbers were tame, the actual cost of living is even more benign for some at the moment.

Treasurer Joe Hockey believes people are getting ahead of the game talking about the need for changes to the GST.

Suncorp's chief executive is calling on Treasurer Joe Hockey to tackle the competitive disadvantage of the smaller banks.

The falling Aussie dollar is starting to have an impact on the Australian economy, giving company revenues a boost.

The Australian share market has opened higher after Wall Street rose on upbeat US consumer confidence.