AAP

The Australian dollar continues to rally on the back of weaker-than-expected US jobs figures.

Australia's two biggest supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles continue to punch above their weight, cementing their place among the world's top 20 retailers.

Anti-fraccing campaigners are gearing up for a showdown with unconventional gas explorers in WA's Kimberley region ahead of a series of public hearings next month.

The Australian share market has closed lower following the release of disappointing US jobs figures.

Leighton Holdings subsidiary Thiess has won a $135 million contract from Western Desert Resources to lead the mining operations at the Roper Bar iron ore mine in the Northern Territory.

Telstra has sold a majority stake in its shrinking directories business Sensis to a US-based private equity investor, as it builds up a multi-billion dollar stockpile of cash to fund investment and, possibly, higher returns for shareholders.

A rise in home loan approvals during November means there won't be another interest rate cut, an economist says.

The Australian sharemarket has opened flat as traders position themselves for key Chinese economic data releases and quarterly production reports from major resource companies this week.

Gold futures have climbed as investors recalibrate their expectations for Federal Reserve policy after a much weaker-than-expected reading on the US labour market.

Australian bond futures prices have rallied on the back of disappointing US jobs data.

The Australian dollar has rallied one US cent following weaker-than-expected US jobs data. At 0700 AEDT on Monday, the Australian dollar was trading at 90.03 US cents, up from 89.03 cents on Friday.

Sales of new homes across Australia have jumped to a two-and-a-half-year high, adding fuel to hopes a recovery is underway in the residential construction sector.

The Australian stock market has closed lower as investors worry that the US Federal Reserve may accelerate its tapering program.

The Australian stock market has opened flat following a soft lead from Wall Street and ahead of the release of key economic figures in the US and China.

New claims for US unemployment insurance benefits fell last week, the government has said in a report suggesting improvement in the labour market.

US stocks have closed mostly lower amid concerns about Friday's monthly US labor report and the kick off of corporate earnings season.

The Australian dollar is a little bit higher, trading in a tight range ahead of the release of US employment figures early on Saturday morning, Australian time.

The parties battling for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter are still a long way off from gaining control of the target, with the offer of one suitor set to expire on Friday evening, and the other suitor trapped in the regulatory process.

Australian shares have finished flat as cautious investors worry about a slowdown in China following the release of lower-than-expected inflation figures.

Worries about China continue to weigh on the nation's biggest iron ore miners, despite the release of record shipping figures.

A strong rise in house building approvals is an encouraging sign of economic growth ahead, as low interest rates continue to stimulate the housing market.

Government backbencher Sharman Stone's fight with senior colleagues resisting calls to support food processor SPC Ardmona highlights the division in Liberal ranks, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says.

Retail sales figures have come in stronger than expected, giving the Reserve Bank of Australia confidence that the current record-low cash rate is supporting economic recovery.

Qantas Airways credit rating has been downgraded to junk status by Moody's - the second ratings agency to do so in a month.

The Australian market looks set to open lower after falls on Wall Street overnight.

US stocks have closed mostly lower after US Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed most Fed policy makers thought the US economy could withstand reduced monetary stimulus.

The Australian dollar is lower after the release of some good US employment data and the minutes of the US Federal Reserve's December policy meeting.

Australians are expected to have spent close to $15 billion shopping online during 2013 and local retailers received most of the benefit.

The Australian share market has finished flat as weakness among mining stocks dampened earlier gains.

Shares in Buru Energy have closed lower as the Kimberley-focused oil and gas player prepares to ship its first crude oil order from Wyndham Port.

The long-hoped-for recovery in Australia's residential construction sector may finally be underway, with low interest rates driving the fastest expansion in new home building since 2005.

A federal Liberal MP has advanced the case for changing statutory ownership limits on Qantas, saying the national carrier is operating with a regulatory straitjacket.