AAP

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.

Pharmacies supplier and health and beauty retailer Australian Pharmaceutical Industries has booked a loss of $115 million for the first six months of its fiscal year, after major asset writedowns.

The Australian dollar has drifted higher following a rally on global share markets and expectations that the greenback will trade within a narrow range.

Global oil prices have risen, supported by tensions over the Russia-Ukraine crisis and expectations of a drop in US commercial inventories at the key Cushing terminal.

US stocks have finished higher after mixed economic data and corporate earnings as a two-day US Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting got under way.

Former foreign affairs and defence minister Stephen Smith has been appointed a professor of international law at The University of Western Australia.

The final results of the re-run Western Australian Senate election have been announced, confirming Labor's assumption it has missed out on a second seat.

The share market's seven day winning streak has ended due to significant falls in the bank and mining sectors.

Fallen West Australian treasurer Troy Buswell has offered an apology after being fined $3,100 and disqualified from driving for one year over 11 traffic offences in one night.

Roc Oil and Horizon Oil have struck an $800 million deal to merge their assets, with the combined company looking to produce up to 20,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Australian share market is again higher, continuing the gains of the last seven consecutive trading days.

Coles' supermarkets and liquor stores sold $6.73 billion worth of goods during the March quarter, an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to a year earlier.

People earning more than $80,000 will be in the firing line if the federal government pushes ahead with a national debt levy.