AAP

Australia's rising jobless rate is chipping away at consumer confidence, a new survey has revealed.

Australian shares have closed lower after the release of higher than expected inflation figures.

Aurora Oil and Gas has boosted its quarterly production and revenue, with a number of new wells coming into production.

Canadian dairy giant Saputo has secured majority control of takeover target Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory.

The prospect of another interest rate cut just became more difficult after the inflation rate unexpectedly jumped to its highest level in two years.

Australians will need to get used to using their PIN for credit card purchases, with signatures set to be phased out from the middle of 2014.

Australian shares are weaker as lower-than-expected production volumes from global mining giant BHP Billiton weigh down the overall market.

BHP Billiton produced record volumes of coal and iron ore in the second half of 2013, despite falls in quarterly production at its petroleum and Pilbara iron ore divisions.

Global crude-oil prices have gained after the IMF raised its forecast for global growth in 2014 and the International Energy Agency upped its prediction of oil consumption growth.

The Australian dollar remains above 88 US cents ahead of the release of closely-watched consumer price index data.

US stocks ended Tuesday in mixed fashion after a stream of generally lacklustre earnings reports and a modest upgrade to the International Monetary Fund's economic forecast.

The Australian share market shook off a negative start to finish higher on Tuesday as strength among the major banks outweighed weakness in the resources sector.

Resources giant BHP Billiton has signed a final agreement to pay $US3 million ($A3.4 million) to Otto Energy to withdraw from an oil and gas exploration joint venture in the Philippines.

Analysts say Australia's major iron ore players are under pressure as the price of the steel-making ingredient continues to slide.

Australian shares have fallen as China's economic growth numbers continue to weigh on the market.

The Australian dollar has been pushed back above 88 US cents by stronger-than-expected Chinese gross domestic product data.

Gold has traded near a five-week high in London as investors weigh signs of increasing physical demand against the outlook for less US stimulus.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude has fallen from the highest closing price in two weeks amid slowing economic growth and weaker industrial output in China, the world's second-biggest oil consume

Blackham Resources shares are up 44 per cent after the minerals explorer agreed to pay $2 million for the Wiluna gold plant in Western Australia from the receivers of Apex Minerals.

The Australian share market closed lower but recovered from solid losses in the middle of the day to be only slightly down.

Australian shares are weaker as a mixed lead out of Wall Street dents the big banks.

The Australian dollar has hit fresh three-and-a-half-year lows amid concerns over China's shadow banking sector and growing strength in the US economy.

American Express's solid earnings has helped pushed the Dow higher but the broader market has fallen after a mixed batch of corporate earnings and economic reports.

Western Australia is still topping the other states when it comes to economic performance.

The Australian stock market has closed lower, despite solid gains in the resources sector.

It is the biggest, heaviest - and with a legal tender value of $1 million dollars - the most valuable gold bullion coin in the world.

Perth Arena has been named as one of the world's top entertainment venues, ahead of iconic venues including New York's Madison Square Garden and London's O2 Arena.

Spending has risen across the Australian economy for 16 consecutive months and a lower Australian dollar, along with improving consumer sentiment, should provide a further boost this year.

Australian shares are slightly weaker as disappointing US earnings results drag down the big banks, but the big miners power ahead.

Gold futures have settled near unchanged, edging slightly higher after data showing US inflation remains below the Federal Reserve's target.

US stocks have finished mostly lower following disappointing results from a number of big companies, including Citigroup and Best Buy.

The Australian dollar sunk to new three-and-a-half-year lows overnight on the back of weaker-than-expected employment data.