AAP

The Australian dollar has hit a one week high after the release of strong international trade and building approvals data.

Wall Street stocks have finished little changed, rallying somewhat from a big mid-session drop as investors looked ahead to the US jobs report for September.

Price cuts by key exporter Saudi Arabia have helped send global crude prices to their lowest point in more than two years before they recovered in late trade.

Housing construction is on track to become a shining light of the Australian economy, with a record number of building approvals expected to translate to more construction jobs and ringing at the t

The share market has closed lower in the wake of falls on nearly all major world markets.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia shareholders will next month decide if boss Ian Narev can be paid up to $4.7 million in shares as a long-term bonus.

Virgin Australia has been given the go ahead to sell a 35 per cent stake in its Velocity loyalty program.

New regulations look set to be introduced to cool Australia's booming housing market, but the Reserve Bank of Australia is not yet ready to reveal what they will be.

Treasurer Joe Hockey will pursue more savings across all government departments after conceding defeat over a raft of tough welfare and pension measures.

The Australian share market is lower, following a share sell-off on Wall Street overnight.

Oil prices have extended the prior day's steep losses despite an unexpected drop in US crude stockpiles, amid persistent worries about ample supplies.

Wall Street stocks have finished sharply lower following mixed US economic data amid worsening anxiety over global economic growth and the first confirmed Ebola case in the United States.

The Australian dollar has bounced from the eight-month low it hit after the release of disappointing retail trade figures.

Half a million Australians have lied or omitted information on a credit application.

The Australian stock market bounced back after a weaker opening as bullish investors decided that it had fallen far enough in recent weeks.

Tony Abbott is determined to get his government's finances back into balance despite continued objections to some of its May budget measures and the additional costs of beefing up national security.

Australia's consumer watchdog is backing calls for more road tolls and lower fuel taxes to fund new roads.

More than 230 Westpac jobs in Western Australia and Queensland will be axed with the bank planning to close two customer contact centres in the states in March next year.

A new competitor for car-booking app Uber has emerged out of Sydney and is setting its sights on Perth as its first stop in an Australia-wide expansion plan.

Manufacturing activity has fallen for a second consecutive month as the winding down of the car industry overshadowed a big fall by the Australian dollar.

The Australian share market has opened lower amid ongoing Aussie dollar weakness, a fall in commodity prices and soft leads from US equities.

The Australian dollar is still levelling off after its recent falls, getting support from some encouraging European economic data.

World oil prices have slumped, with the main US contract falling 3.6 per cent due to worries about a supply glut and the strengthening dollar.

Wall Street stocks have finished lower following disappointing economic data, including a big drop in US consumer confidence.

The head of the country's largest wealth manager has warned Australians will end up poorer and paying more tax to fund pensions if something isn't done to boost superannuation savings.

Virgin Australia chief John Borghetti's take home pay of $2.8 million has surpassed that of his Qantas rival, Alan Joyce.

The share market has closed higher as investors found reason to buy back into the sold-off banking sector.

Australia's largest food maker isn't too bothered about the arrival of 85-cents-a-loaf bread on supermarket shelves.

Newcrest Mining increased short-term bonuses to top executives more than 11-fold this year despite making another heavy loss.

The pay packet for the head of development giant Lend Lease has soared to $7.6 million.

The amount Australians owe on their mortgages has notched up its fastest annual growth for three and half years.

The coal industry is getting its "mojo" back despite job losses, BHP Billiton chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie says.