AAP

The Australian share market has fallen into the red despite a positive start, led downwards by mining stocks.

The price of oil rose to near $94 a barrel Tuesday as unusually cold weather in the U.S. was expected to fuel demand in the world's largest market for energy.

US stocks have registered their first gains of the new year, with the Nasdaq adding nearly one per cent, helped by a solid November trade report.

The Australian dollar has held its ground as optimism returned to markets helped by the release of some positive US and German economic data.

The Australian stock market has finished in the red, weighed down by poorly performing resources stocks.

Takeover target Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory says suitor Murray Goulburn is unlikely to overcome hurdles obstructing its bid.

Woodside Petroleum's partners in the Leviathan gas project in Israel have signed a deal to sell $1.2 billion worth of gas to the Palestine Power Generation Company for 20 years.

Australia's international trade deficit has narrowed for the fourth consecutive month as mining and resources exports increase.

The Australian stock market has opened stronger as local investor confidence offset negative leads from global markets.

The majority of Australian businesses are more upbeat about growth in 2014 than they were last year, with business expectations rising to a one-year high.

US stocks have finished lower amid mixed US economic data to kick off the first full week of trade of 2014.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after suffering a brief fall on the back of some disappointing Chinese economic data.

Toyota says it should know by the middle of the year whether it will keep manufacturing cars in Australia beyond 2018.

The shark drum line and kill tender was not advertised properly and could open the Barnett government to a legal challenge, the Greens say.

The Australian share market has lost ground as investors wait for direction from Europe and the US.

Woodside Petroleum says it will push ahead with plans to jointly sell gas from its proposed Browse project despite a Japanese partner terminating a purchase deal last week.

Energy giant Chevron has received conditional approval to clear an additional 32 hectares of land on Barrow Island for the construction of Australia's largest gas project.

Shares in Altona Mining are higher after the company said it had made an early $11 million debt repayment following strong copper production results in Finland.

The Australian share market is trading slightly lower in what is expected to be a quiet period for the domestic market over the next few days.

National assets including Medibank Private and Australia Post should be sold, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has told the government.

The Australian dollar rose past 90 US cents for the first time in almost a month after the Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called for more action to stimulate the American economy.

The Australian market looks set to open higher following a mixed result on Wall Street on Friday.

Shares have continued to rally as the banks benefit from the US Federal Reserve's decision to dilute its stimulus measures, and Telstra hits a near nine-year high.

US stocks have closed mostly lower a day after a record-setting surge spurred by the Federal Reserve easing stimulus.

Oil prices rose as investors concluded that the Federal Reserve's move to trim stimulus was a sign of the improving US economy.

he Australian dollar is slightly higher as the currency consolidates following its losses made after the US Federal Reserve meeting.

A disability discrimination claim has been lodged against BHP Billiton and its contractor Carey Mining on behalf of a deaf man who alleges he was unlawfully sacked while working in a Western Australian mine site.

Legal action has been launched against engineering services firm WorleyParsons following a profit downgrade by the company.

The Australian share market has enjoyed a welcome lift after the US Federal Reserve decided to start winding back its stimulus program for the US economy.

National Australia Bank chairman Michael Chaney has defended the company's performance and strategy after facing shareholder criticism at its AGM.

Wastewater treatment plants could be on the chopping block as the Western Australian government seeks to boost its coffers with asset sales.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower with the market not surprised by the US Federal Reserve announcement of a small winding back its economic stimulus program.