AAP

Gold futures fell as investors reduced holdings of the precious metal amid signs that the US labor market continues to recover.

Stony outcrops to reap billions in gas royalties

US stocks have slumped after weak earnings from WalMart hit retail equities amid concerns that investors are shifting from stocks to bonds.

The Australian dollar has traded within a narrow range just below 94 US cents in the absence of any major economic news or data.

Ratings agency Moody's expects the Australian mining sector to continue to benefit from strong Chinese demand, despite slowing growth in the world's second largest economy.

The share market is slightly higher after a mixed session for the heavyweight banking and resources sectors.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is confident his first budget can survive a two-pronged attack from state premiers and the Senate.

The Australian share market has opened lower after US markets came off record highs.

Westfield has enjoyed a rise in retail sales across its global shopping centre chain.

The Australian dollar has backed away from a one-month high, as traders take profits.

US stocks have finished lower following mixed earnings and a surprising rise in producer prices, snapping a five-day winning streak for the Dow that included three straight record closings.

Oil prices have moved higher, lifted by a new decline in US oil inventories at the key Cushing storage hub and falling petrol stockpiles.

The Australian dollar passed 94 US cent for the first time in four weeks, helped by confidence in the Australian economy and a rally on Wall Street.

The share market has closed flat, with gains by two of the big four banks offsetting falls by their two rivals caused by the payment of dividends.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the federal government's plan to shift more responsibility to the states for education and health funding might be a ploy to get them to push for changes to the GST.

Mining giant Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron ore operations are producing ore more quickly than previously anticipated.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has lifted its third quarter cash profit almost 16 per cent to $2.2 billion.

The Australian dollar is higher, having shrugged off the tough federal budget and weaker economic data.

Oil prices have risen after the top US energy official suggested the United States could possibly move to ease its ban on crude exports.

The Dow and S&P 500 have edged to record closing highs for the second day in a row even as the Nasdaq fell on concerns technology stocks are overvalued.

About 800,000 businesses will benefit from a company tax cut from mid 2015 while miners stand to gain from exploration incentives announced in the federal budget.

Treasurer Joe Hockey wants the nation to roll up its sleeves and endure wide-ranging spending cuts to return his budget to the black.

A parliamentary inquiry will examine the police investigation into a series of car crashes that led to Troy Buswell's downfall as treasurer of Western Australia.

The Australian share market has closed higher, led by big mining stocks, after markets in the United States lifted and investment bank JP Morgan expressed confidence in the resources sector.

Holden has announced its biggest financial loss of $553.8 million while Ford is $267 million in the red, its second-worst result on record.

Shares in US-focused Aurora Oil & Gas have closed higher after Canadian oil company Baytex Energy increased its takeover offer for the company.

Explosives and chemicals maker and supplier Orica's half-year profit has slumped, with strong demand from miners in the Pilbara region largely offset by flat sentiment on the east coast.

Mining stocks have rallied, lifting the Australian share market after investment bank JP Morgan gave the sector a big confidence vote.

Tony Abbott says his government's first budget will bring "pain with a purpose".

The Australian dollar is range-bound thanks to a stronger greenback and ahead of the federal budget.

Gold prices have risen, a day after pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine declared victory in a succession referendum, raising chances that rival factions will split the country in two.

The Dow and S&P 500 has closed at fresh record highs, spurred by a strong rally in technology stocks that lifted the Nasdaq Composite Index by nearly 1.8 per cent.