AAP

The future of Holden will be on the agenda of a meeting between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill on Thursday.

Australian shares have lost ground after insurer QBE flagged that it would post a $250 million loss for calendar 2013, prompting shocked investors to wipe more than $4 billion from the value of one of the ASX's 20 biggest companies.

The Australian share market is slightly lower as investors put aside good US jobs figures and strong Chinese trade data and focus on a shock profit warning from insurer QBE.

From Saturday, December 7:

Gold futures have eased as investors try to determine what impact the continued gains in US hiring will have on the timing of a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than three-quarters of a US cent after surprisingly strong Chinese trade data and good US jobs figures.

Electoral commissioner Ed Killesteyn is under pressure to quit after an inquiry found serious flaws in the Western Australian Senate election count, which could lead to $13 million being spent on a fresh poll.

The Australian share market has closed lower as financial stocks dragged down the bourse ahead of the release of important jobs numbers in the US.

The days of big shopper docket fuel savings are over after Coles and Woolworths agreed to limit discounts to four cents a litre.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has rejected spending more public money to keep Holden operating in Australia, amid reports the car maker's American parent company General Motors wants to close Australian operations by 2016.

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has lowered its credit rating for airline Qantas to BB+, which is considered below investment grade.

The Australian market has opened lower, continuing a trend down since October with investors taking profits.

Gold prices have fallen after upbeat US economic data supported investor expectations for a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus.

US stocks have declined again after surprisingly good US economic growth in the third quarter raised expectations the Federal Reserve will hasten a plan to scale back aggressive monetary stimulus.

The Australian dollar is firmer as traders take a sceptical view of the fastest US economic growth pace in almost two years.

The Australian share market fell heavily in afternoon trade after starting the day flat.

Inspectors from the Department of Mines and Petroleum are investigating the death of a contractor at Newcrest Mining's Telfer gold mine in the Pilbara.

Qantas will cut at least 1,000 jobs as it works to save $2 billion over the next three years after announcing it expects to post a half-year loss of up to $300 million.

The Australian sharemarket has opened slightly lower with overnight falls in overseas markets offset by strong commodity prices.

Gold and silver futures have rallied as some bearish investors rush to reduce their wagers after the precious metals showed strength in the face of brighter economic data.

US stocks have ended mostly lower after markets weighed a stream of generally solid economic data ahead of Friday's big jobs report.

The Australian dollar has fallen as low 90 US cents for the first time in three months following a surprisingly strong US private employment report.

Billionaire Richard Branson has urged the federal government to resist helping Qantas, saying the airline's management and service are to blame for its financial woes.

Oil and gas explorer Buru Energy has engaged international water consulting and engineering firm MWH Global as it looks for gas resources in north Western Australia.

The Australian sharemarket has finished higher, bringing three days of losses to an end as the big miners fired on all cylinders.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer has been appointed to two key parliamentary committees dealing with economic matters.

A lacklustre stockmarket debut by Dick Smith Holdings has drawn unfavourable comparisons with fellow retailer Myer's poor listing four years ago.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says the latest economic growth figures point to another deterioration in the federal budget.

The federal Labor party says it will back a cash bidding system for offshore oil and gas exploration permits.

Australian stocks have started the week on a flat note, despite mining stocks receiving a boost from positive Chinese economic data.

Shopping centre giant Westfield Group will split its Australian and New Zealand assets from its international business as it continues to pursue growth overseas.

US stocks have fallen for a second day in a row as speculation increased that the US Federal Reserve will soon scale back its bond-buying program.