AAP

The Australian dollar is slightly lower amid more signs the US economy is improving.

Oil prices in New York have fallen on a weak US crude demand outlook, while European oil prices have risen on concerns about Libya and new European Union sanctions on Russia.

US stocks have finished lower after the United States and European Union broadened sanctions on Russia, overshadowing US economic data and earnings reports.

The share market has closed slightly higher after iron ore miners reversed early losses.

Business confidence appears to be improving if the increase in the number of business startups is anything to go by.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has joined the leaders of other major resources companies in calling for the scrapping of the mining tax.

Chemical giant Orica said it has regretted a series of pollution incidents which resulted in it being fined more than $750,000 and has pledged to improve the facilities where the problems happened.

Hundreds of hospital support workers in Perth will stop work today to protest against potential job losses when the new Fiona Stanley Hospital opens.

The Australian share market is slightly lower after a weak lead from the US and another profit downgrade from insurer QBE.

US stocks have finished mixed following prominent corporate deals and a drop in pending home sales as investors look ahead to fresh earnings and labour market data.

The Australian dollar is back above 94 US cents, getting a boost from improved Chinese industrial profits.

Oil prices have dropped in spite of worsening violence in Libya and ongoing trouble in other petroleum hotspots as traders focus on the lofty state of oil supplies.

The share market has fallen slightly as gains by iron ore miners were outweighed by falls by most banks and retailers.

Mining services company Boart Longyear has said the fall in demand for its products may be over, but warned analysts are over-estimating what the company will earn in 2014.

Education provider Navitas's full year profit has fallen 31 per cent after writedowns to its university division overshadowed stronger revenues.

The Australian share market has opened lower after US markets fell on disappointing company earnings reports.

Construction giant Leighton has suffered a 20 per cent slide in first half profit after writedowns and restructuring costs offset an increase in revenue.

Gold prices have rebounded as investors step in to scoop up the metal amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The Australian dollar has drifted back below 94 US cents as the greenback strengthens on dwindling risk appetite.

Mixed corporate earnings produced varied results on Wall Street this week, resulting in gains for the Nasdaq, losses for the Dow and a nearly flat S&P 500.

Woodside wins ASA Shell vote

Flight Centre expects a seven per cent slide in pre-tax profit due to writedowns on the value of its underperforming US and Indian businesses, plus an $11 million price fixing fine.

Retail veteran Solomon Lew has accepted a $210 million offer for his stake in Country Road, ending his long standoff with the new owner of David Jones.

The Australian share market has closed flat, with some investors booking profits, after a seven-day run of gains.

Despite fresh conflict in the Middle East, Woodside Petroleum would love to have been involved in the Leviathan project off Israel.

Australian goldminer Kingsgate Consolidated has notched up a record annual production result as it adapts to volatile operating conditions.

The Australian sharemarket has opened flat following a mixed session on Wall Street.

Wall Street stocks have finished little changed with the S&P 500 inching to a new record following mixed US economic data and a flood of corporate earnings.

Gold futures have fallen to a five-week low after data showed Chinese demand for physical gold fell during the first half of 2014.

The Australian dollar has drifted lower following positive US unemployment data.

The share market has closed higher for the seventh session in a row, boosted by Chinese manufacturing data and US company earnings.

Economic recovery in the United Kingdom and the United States has helped drive a surge in overseas' travellers to Australia.