AAP

The Australian share market is flat with gains among the major miners offset by the major banks.

Glencore's hopes of striking a deal to become the world's largest miner remain just that, after an approach was rebuffed by Rio Tinto.

The federal government has abandoned plans to force jobseekers to apply for 40 positions a month.

US stocks have finished modestly lower as investor caution returned to the market ahead of Wednesday's unofficial kick-off of third-quarter company earnings reports.

Crude oil prices have closed higher, staging a small rebound from last week's steep losses as a slightly weakening US dollar offered some support.

The Australian is gradually regaining the losses made after the US unemployment rate hit a six-year low of 5.9 per cent.

The Australian share market has closed lower as low iron ore prices weighed upon the big miners and the weaker Australian dollar continued to deter foreign investors.

Don't be alarmed if there is a large fall in the number of Australians with jobs in September – believe it or not the jobs market is improving.

Removal of the carbon tax has dampened inflation, allowing the Reserve Bank of Australia to remain in wait-and-see mode on interest rates.

Telecommunications giant Telstra has completed its $1 billion share buyback, with the offer oversubscribed by almost 70 per cent.

Mining giant BHP Billiton plans to overtake rival Rio Tinto to become Australia's lowest cost iron ore producer, detailing plans today for an expansion of its Pilbara operations despite the slump in the commodity's price.

The Australian sharemarket has opened lower with trading light due to public holidays across half the country.

The Australian dollar hit a four-year low after the release of strong US employment figures.

Gold prices fell to a four-year low on Friday after stronger-than-expected US employment data intensified investors' concerns about how soon the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates.

Wall Street stocks have barrelled higher, cutting the week's losses, after the Labour Department reported the US economy gained a strong 248,000 jobs in September.

The Australian share market has shrugged off weak overseas leads to close higher as a stronger Aussie dollar bolstered banking stocks.

Just a couple of weeks since they last met, Joe Hockey is jetting off this weekend for another meeting with his G20 counterparts in Washington.

Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka is confident in the future of the airline's Asian operations, despite a disappointing 12 months for the low cost carrier in the region.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is not expected to raise its interest rate until at least early 2015, but that might come sooner if the Australian dollar keeps falling.

It's been a bad month for anyone with shares in the big four banks.

New home sales have rebounded, suggesting construction will remain strong into 2015.

Activity in the services sector has fallen for the seventh consecutive month, but there are signs that it might be getting ready for a recovery.

The Australian stock market is slightly lower, following a mixed lead from overseas.

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.