AAP

Australian stocks have started the session lower following a weak lead from global markets.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings is on track to make a profit of up to $600 million this year but the company says its current debt levels are higher than expected.

US stocks have closed mostly lower amid renewed speculation about the Federal Reserve's intentions to reduce its massive monetary stimulus.

Gold has extended its recent losses as automatic selling orders pushed prices deeper below $US1,300.

The Australian dollar is lower amid fears that tapering of US economic stimulus could begin soon.

Australian shares have edged higher as gains by mining and chemical companies offset more falls by the major banks.

Seven Group says it will cut 630 positions across its Westrac business in a divisional restructure.

The Greens are demanding an explanation from Clive Palmer about an apparent alliance with the Australian Sports Party's senator-elect Wayne Dropulich.

The Australian stock market has opened higher, offsetting losses from the previous session.

Oil prices rose on Monday after marathon talks in Geneva aimed at persuading Iran to curb its disputed nuclear program ended without an agreement.

Rupert Murdoch's newspaper publishing business News Corporation has reported a net profit of $US38 million ($A40.60 million) for the first quarter.

US stocks have ended modestly higher as investors appeared to take a breather in a semi-holiday session after Friday's strong rally on the back of encouraging jobs data.

A surprisingly strong US jobs report continues to weigh on the Australian dollar in the absence of any other significant economic data.

Former federal police commissioner Mick Keelty is already convinced the missing votes in the Western Australian Senate election materially affected the result, but says it's unlikely their disappearance was caused by corruption.

Rural services company Elders expects to report a loss of more than $500 million for its recently concluded fiscal year.

Explosives and chemicals supplier Orica expects higher profits in 2014 as key North American coal markets improve, and the company sells more sophisticated explosives and blasting systems.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors put aside a positive lead from US markets and took a breather from a strong run upwards in recent months.

A jump in the number of new home loans during September is another sign that interest rate cuts take time to boost the economy, an economist says.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the rocky start to his second term is behind him.

The Australian stock market has opened higher after stronger than expected US jobs figures lifted investor sentiment on Wall Street.

Gold futures have fallen to their lowest level in three weeks after a surprisingly strong US labour-market reading re-animated fears the Federal Reserve would soon curtail its bond purchases.

Twitter has held centre stage on Wall Street in a week of rocky trade that ultimately held up against sell-offs of bubbly tech shares to produce a new Dow record.

The Australian dollar is lower after a surprisingly strong US jobs report increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing could be wound back sooner rather than later.

The Australian share market has closed lower, taking stocks to their first weekly fall in five weeks.

A motion suggesting Prime Minister Tony Abbott scrap laws requiring balanced reporting by Australian media will be among those debated by the Western Australian branch of the Liberal Party at its state conference.

Qantas had rejected an offer for government assistance in the leadup to the announcement that it will close its Avalon heavy Maintenance facility, the company's domestic chief executive Lyell Strambi says.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has revealed that the option to cut the cash rate further remains alive.And the Aussie dollar is what's keeping it breathing.

The Australian market has opened lower following offshore falls including on Wall St.

Top prize goes to Perth Arena

Gold has slumped toward $US1,300 after better-than-expected US economic data and an interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) bolstered the US dollar.

US stocks have tumbled despite a successful launch of trading in Twitter stock and report on US economic growth that bested expectations by a wide margin.

The Australian dollar has fallen against a stronger greenback boosted by better-than-expected US economic data.