AAP

US stocks have snapped a three-day losing streak, catalysed by stronger Chinese trade data and better sentiment on the European economy.

The Australian dollar is higher despite weak jobs figures, boosted by better than expected trade data out of China.

Rio Tinto's profit for the first half of 2013 has fallen by 71 per cent to $US1.72 billion ($A1.92 billion).

Gold miner Newcrest will take a $6.2 billion hit to its bottom line from writedowns on its assets in the 2012/13 financial year.

The Australian share market has clawed back some of Wednesday's losses due to positive Chinese trade data and a strong profit result from Telstra.

Premier Colin Barnett says he hasn't given up pushing for the Woodside-led Browse gas project to be developed onshore in the Kimberley.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Kevin Rudd's stoush with media mogul Rupert Murdoch is showing no signs of easing, with the prime minister demanding to know what talks, if any, Tony Abbott has had with him over the future of the

Telstra has reported a 12.9 per cent rise in full-year net profit to $3.9 billion, with revenue up two per cent to $26 billion.

There was good news and bad news for the Labor government in the latest jobs data.

The Australian dollar is higher as the US dollar falls against all the major currencies on fears about the Japanese economy.

US stocks on Wednesday retreated for the third straight session on another quiet news day that left investors searching for direction.

Australian shares have fallen as healthy housing finance figures convinced investors the latest interest rate cut could be the last.

Sundance Resources expects to sign up customers by the end of the year as it pins its hopes on producing iron ore in west Africa by 2017.

Home loan approvals continue to rise, showing that low interest rates are working their way into the housing sector.

Global demand for resources will soar by up to 75 per cent over the next 15 years, but Australia is facing fiercer competition from rival nations, the head of BHP Billiton says.

On the eve of the state budget, Premier Colin Barnett has foreshadowed program cuts and "revenue measures" as the once-boom state struggles with lower income.

The coalition's plan to cut company tax will boost jobs, opposition leader Tony Abbott says.

The High Court has upheld Labor's controversial Minerals Resource Rent Tax, rejecting a challenge launched by miner Fortescue Metals Group.

The Australian stock market has opened lower, following falls on Wall Street overnight.

The gold price is expected to improve over the long term thanks to strong demand in China and India, the World Gold Council says.

The Australian dollar has held onto its gains after the Reserve Bank of Australia gave no indication there would be a third interest rate cut this year.

US stocks ended lower on Tuesday as more data and comments from Federal Reserve officials pointed to the likely pullback in Fed stimulus in the coming months.

The Australian dollar is higher despite the Reserve Bank of Australia cutting the cash rate to a an all-time low.

An interest rate cut has failed to lift the Australian share market into positive territory.

The world's third largest gold producer AngloGold Ashanti will bring its Tropicana mine into production ahead of schedule despite pushing ahead with an overall plan to cut costs by $US500 million.

Weak international trade figures and job ads data shows Australian economic transition away from a mining investment boom is not going as smoothly as it could.

Labor has reassured people waiting on the national broadband network (NBN) that changes to construction contractors will not affect the rollout.

The Australian stock market has opened flat as investors hold out for official confirmation of a widely tipped interest rate cut.

Engineering company Downer EDI has recorded an 80 per cent increase in net profit but warns the next 12 months will be challenging.

Labor and the coalition are at odds over what an expected interest rate cut means for the economy as the election campaign enters its second day.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after the release of some encouraging services sector data from the US and the UK.