AAP

Australia has secured a deal with China for zero tariffs on coal exports under a free trade deal Canberra hopes to conclude next month, it's been reported.

A slowdown in annual price rises has been partly attributed to the federal coalition government's repeal of the carbon tax.

Australians are expected to get a little more footloose and fancy-free with their cash over the next six months, giving the economy a shot in the arm.

The Australian share market has opened one per cent higher after Wall Street rallied on talk of broader monetary stimulus in Europe and good home sales figures.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has lifted production 9 per cent, driven by increasing iron ore, coal and petroleum output.

Oil prices have moved higher with support from better-than-expected data on Chinese growth in the third quarter, especially a pickup in industrial output.

US stocks have barrelled higher, propelled by talk of broader monetary stimulus in Europe and a strong Apple earnings report that helped lift the Nasdaq by more than 100 points.

The Australian dollar has reversed Tuesday's gains in the face of US dollar strength.

A late rally has pushed the share market to a sixth straight day of gains, overcoming a mid-afternoon slump.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is hopeful of securing a free trade agreement with China by the time of the G20 summit in November.

Australia is remembering the life and legacy of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who died aged 98.

Housing investment is booming, but the Reserve Bank of Australia is still not giving any indication when it intends to increase its interest rate.

ASX-listed IT firm Empired has bought Wellington-based Intergen for $17.4 million in cash and shares to build the biggest trans-Tasman Microsoft services provider.

Newcrest Mining's NSW gold project is helping it keep on top of costs as it works to turn around its fortunes.

The Australian share market has opened higher on strong US leads and iron ore price gains.

Gold prices have advanced as declines in the dollar and Treasury yields bolster the precious metal's appeal as a haven.

Oil prices have dipped on concerns about high supplies and more signs from key Middle Eastern producers that OPEC has no plans to cut crude output.

The Australian dollar is higher, boosted by a gain in the iron ore price and a weaker greenback.

US stocks have risen, shaking off weak IBM earnings and extending the rally that began late last week.

Former Western Australian chief justice David Kingsley Malcolm achieved a lot during his 18 years in the role, and will be remembered as a kind and patient man by those who knew him.

Two major national contractors are embroiled in takeovers, with Tenix Holdings on the receiving end of a $300 million bid by Downer EDI, and Transfield Services revealling it has received a $1 billion takeover bid from a Spanish building giant.

The share market has closed firmer for a fifth consecutive session as concerns about global economic growth appear to fade.

It's the big deal nobody knows anything about.

Some farmers will have to take a hit for the nation if proposed plans to build more dams are approved, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says.

Two Chinese companies suing federal MP Clive Palmer have a genuine dispute against him, a judge says.

New South Wales has knocked off Western Australia as the country's strongest economy, as the glow of the mining investment boom continues to fade.

Shares are more than one per cent firmer as Australian investors shrug off concerns about slowing global growth.

Shares in mining services business Ausdrill have slumped to a five-year low after its second profit warning in just two months.

The federal government hopes to raise up to $5.5 billion from the sale of Medibank Private.

US shares have surged after a strong rise in Europe's equity markets, with investor zeal returning following a sell-off earlier in the week.

Gold prices have fallen as a relief rally in US equities saps investor appetite for haven assets like precious metals.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as global stock markets stabilise after last week's heavy falls.