AAP

The Australian share market has finished flat as gains among the miners were offset by falls in the financial sector.

Woolworths says it has terminated its relationship with one of its fruit and vegetable suppliers in Western Australia after it was alleged the supplier was linked to money laundering and harbouring illegal overseas workers.

Australia's consumer watchdog is taking Wesfarmers subsidiary Coles to court, accusing the supermarket giant of "unconscionable" conduct towards 200 food and grocery suppliers.

The Australian share market is up after Australia's second largest bank, Westpac, announced a big rise in earnings and signs the US economy is strengthening.

Australia's second-largest bank Westpac has lifted its first half cash profit to a record to $3.77 billion despite tighter margins.

Gold has closed at a three-week high as worries about escalating violence in Ukraine bolstered investor demand for the haven asset.

The Australian dollar has regained ground following losses on the back of stronger-than-expected US jobs figures.

Coalition’s $10bn clearanceAustralians will be asked to accept more than $10 billion in asset sales to pay for new road and rail projects as the Abbott government seeks to

US stocks have finished higher for the week, even with intensifying concerns over Ukraine partially offsetting positive sentiment from some strong economic reports and accelerating Wall Street deal-making.

New home sales continued to strengthen during the March quarter, according to the Housing Industry Association.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher as investors wait on the release of important jobs numbers in the US.

Australians born from 1965 will have to wait until they turn 70 before being eligible for the age pension, federal Treasurer Joe Hockey has confirmed.

Myer boss Bernie Brookes says the department store giant is prepared for a potential drop off in consumer spending following this year's federal budget.

Investment bank Macquarie Group says strengthening global market conditions have helped boost its annual profit and expects further improvements from its business to come.

The vast majority of the late Paul Ramsay's $3.3 billion controlling stake in Ramsay Health Care will be transferred to his personal charitable foundation, the company has announced.

The Australian share market has opened flat as cautious traders wait for the release of key employment figures in the US.

The Australian dollar is under pressure as talk of possible tax hikes in the government's budget fuels expectations that interest rates will stay on hold for longer.

Oil prices have slipped helped by more abundant supplies thanks to high US production and the boost to exports in Libya.

US stocks have finished mixed after a busy day of economic data releases ahead of Friday's closely-watched monthly jobs report.

Western Australian public servants unhappy with a pay offer say they are seriously considering holding a 24-hour state-wide strike.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is suing Brazilian miner Vale and an Israeli company over the rights to develop the massive Simandou iron ore deposit in Guinea.

The share market has fallen as weaker commodity prices and concerns that banks may be over-priced caused falls in the heavyweight sectors.

The Federal Government’s commission of audit has outlined 86 recommendations aimed at saving the budget up to $70 billion annually, with pensions, Medicare benefits, tax concessions and public service jobs all in the firing line.

ANZ has beaten market expectations with a record half year cash profit and dividend.

The commission of audit could recommend including the family home in the pension assets test, cuts to education and health and a maximum co-payment of $20 to see a bulk-billing doctor.

Gold prices have edged lower after the Federal Reserve cut bond purchases as expected and said economic growth is back on track after dropping off during the winter.

The Australian dollar has bounced on weaker-than-expected US gross domestic product (GDP) figures.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has closed at a new record after the Federal Reserve said the US economy was picking up following a winter slowdown.

The share market has had a flat session as investors supported mining stocks, offsetting falls among high yielding financial stocks.

Shares in Woolworths have dropped 2.5 per per cent after its latest sales results left the market disappointed.

Hancock Prospecting is being compelled to hand back a stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project after the Gina Rinehart-led company dragged its heels after a court ruling.

The share market is slightly down again after Tuesday's fall ended a seven-day winning streak.