AAP

Gross domestic product growth will stay below three per cent in the second half of this year and won't get too far above that in 2015, the latest forecasts from the RBA show.

The Australian share market has opened lower, with all sectors down.

World oil prices have fallen as traders booked profits from the previous day's rally on signs of strengthening crude demand in the United States.

US stocks have finished mixed but some selling pressure continued to dog the technology sector amid worries about overvaluations.

The Australian dollar remains well above 93.5 US cents after better than expected employment figures fuelled hopes of a sustained jobs market recovery.

The state's gold sector fears it will be tapped for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional royalty revenue banked by the Barnett government in its latest budget.

The share market held on to early gains to add three quarters of a per cent in value.

Shares in the world's largest drilling company, Boart Longyear, have hit a record low as more of the company's rigs lay idle.

A planned three-year extension to Western Australia's controversial shark culling program will be subjected to a federal environmental assessment.

Rio Tinto chairman Jan du Plessis has given shareholders a pessimistic view of global financial markets in the short to medium term at its annual general meeting in Melbourne.

Millions of motorists could soon be paying more for petrol if the federal government decides to increase the fuel excise in next week's budget.

World oil prices have surged higher after crude inventories unexpectedly fell from a record high in the United States, suggesting better demand in the world's largest crude consumer.

US stocks have finished mostly higher following more-conciliatory statements by Russia's president amid the Ukraine crisis, but weak earnings from some technology stocks pushed the Nasdaq into the red.

The Australian share market has followed the global trend and has finished lower, with mining stocks taking the biggest hit.

The retail sector appears to be suffering a hangover after strong spending over the Christmas period and is unlikely to bounce back any time soon, according to analysts.

Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers appear set to be trimmed, with Premier Colin Barnett hinting the change will be among measures introduced in tomorrow's state budget.

Premier Colin Barnett has not ruled out the possibility of disgraced former treasurer Troy Buswell returning to his cabinet, but says it will not happen in the "medium term".

The share market is lower due to falls on overseas markets and uncertainty about what will be contained in next week's Federal budget.

Australia's construction industry is in decline as new mining projects dry up.

Gold prices slipped as investors took profits from the previous session's three-week high.

The Australian dollar has rallied above 93 US cents following a sharp US dollar sell-off overnight.

US stocks have retreated as a sell-off in Twitter revived worries about the tech sector and disappointing earnings from insurer AIG hit financial stocks.

The share market has closed higher after a late rally boosted most sectors.

The federal government is under pressure to rethink a planned tax increase and pension changes in next week's budget, with a new poll showing support for the coalition has fallen to its lowest level in almost four years.

Former Treasurer Troy Buswell says he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but has refused to address claims he was drunk when he crashed his car several times on the short journey home from a wedding.

Contractor Leighton Holdings is predicting a potential increased profit in 2014 after reporting higher first quarter earnings and revenue.

The Australian share market is higher as investors remain optimistic about the local economy.

Wesfarmers says the average price it receives for its metallurgical coal will be about 16 per cent weaker in the June quarter.

David Jones has lifted its third quarter sales 4.1 per cent, with strong growth in a number of key categories.

The Australian dollar is lower, weighed down by weaker-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data.

US stocks have finished higher after struggling to get out of the losing column, shrugging off poor industrial data from China and growing violence in Ukraine.

Oil prices have dipped after a disappointing manufacturing report on China raised concerns about crude demand, overshadowing worries about growing violence in the Ukraine crisis.Oil prices dip after weak China data