AAP

Wall Street stocks turned in a mixed performance to close a strong second quarter after US pending home sales jumped but automaker General Motors announced another massive auto recall.

Electronics retailer Dick Smith says its sales have grown in recent months, in stark contrast to several other major retailers who have been hit by falling consumer confidence linked to May's feder

Last-minute share sales to lock in the profits of a strong financial year have caused the market to fall.

The share market is slightly lower as investors wait for more signs on the economy's health.

The Australian dollar remains above 94 US cents after a batch of disappointing US economic data weakened the greenback.

Gold prices have ended higher, as investors bet the metal will hold on to its recent gains amid a dovish Federal Reserve and a surge of violence in Iraq.

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US stocks have finished a quiet day of trade higher as strong earnings from Nike helped offset a profit warning from DuPont.

The share market has ended the week with a fall as investor caution resulted in muted trade.

Australia's corporate watchdog says policing the finance industry is a battle of fear versus greed, as it responds to a critical report into its handling of dishonest activity by Commonwealth Bank financial advisers.

Borrowers can rest easy as it looks like the Reserve Bank of Australia's cash rate will not go up for the remainder of the year.

Virgin has returned nine of its Embraer 190 aircraft to service after they were grounded on the discovery of a fault with bolts that hold the plane's engine in place, which in turn prompted a worldwide alert.

Perth-based Moko Social Media is preparing to debut on the technology focused NASDAQ stock exchange in New York ahead of a $10 million capital raising.

Foreign investors are not pushing first home buyers out of the property market, a central banker says.

The share market is slightly higher despite Wall Street losing ground due to disappointing consumer spending data.

The federal government is playing down the prospect of a royal commission to investigate Commonwealth Bank financial advisers who lost clients' money.

US stocks have finished modestly lower following disappointing economic data even as shares for video camera maker Per cent soared in their first day of trade.

Gold futures have ended lower as investors weigh news of illegal gold-backed loans in China and signs that inflation was picking up in the US.

The Australian dollar is higher against the weakened greenback following more disappointing economic data out of the US.

The Big Day Out festival has been cancelled in Australia and New Zealand, amid speculation there is a shortage of headline acts for the annual event.

A strong performance by the share market has more than recovered losses suffered in the previous two days, with retailers and banks among the best performers.

Mineral sands miner Iluka Resources has approached the operator of a titanium mine in Mozambique about a possible takeover.

A Perth cafe must pay thousands of dollars in compensation and penalties for illegally deducting money from the wages of its employees over minor errors.

Australian shares have opened better than expected, making gains in early trade.

New York oil prices have been lifted by a report suggesting the US is easing a ban on crude exports even as inventory data suggested mixed energy demand in America.

US stocks have finished higher despite a US Commerce Department report that showed first-quarter economic activity contracted much more than previously thought.

The Australian dollar has rebounded on the back of weaker-than-expected US economic data.

Gold prices have risen after data showing the US economy contracted more than expected in the first quarter cut short a bout of profit-taking in the precious metal.

The share market has fallen, with weakness in most sectors, as investors remain cautious due to conflict in Iraq and Ukraine.

The share market has opened lower after US stocks underperformed despite positive consumer confidence and home sales data.

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Gold prices have extended their two-month high as sustained worries about instability in the Middle East and dovish remarks from England's central bank prompt investors to buy the precious metal.