AAP

The resources sector union has been granted leave to appeal a decision allowing workers at Woodside's Pluto gas plant to be denied accommodation during wage-related industrial action.

Oz Minerals has blamed lower production volumes at a South Australian gold and copper mine and big write-downs for a half-year loss of $268 million.

The Australian share market has nudged slightly lower in early trade.

The federal opposition is refusing to say when it will return the budget to surplus, with Liberal treasury spokesman Joe Hockey claiming the bottom line figures are "almost too unpredictable".

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has posted a record $7.68 billion full-year profit.CBA's net profit for the year to June 30 was up 8 per cent from $7.09 billion in the previous year.

The Australian dollar is lower after the greenback was boosted by positive US retail sales data that sustained speculation the US Federal Reserve will begin tapering soon.

US stocks have closed in positive territory as corporate raider Carl Icahn revealed a large stake in Apple, sending the technology titan 4.8 per cent higher.

The Australian dollar is lower against a US dollar strengthened by moves from investors expecting strong US economic data to be released this week.

The Australian share market has hit a three month high, with investors buoyed by positive local earnings performances potential stimulus measures in Japan.

Millionaire Perth property developer Nigel Satterley has snapped up a $17.5 million bargain, buying one of Western Australia's most historic and prestigious homes for well below

Ford says its committed to Australia after a multi-million dollar launch of its new line of cars.

Voters are being prepared for Tony Abbott to emulate Premier Colin Barnett and backflip on numerous election promises, according to high-profile Labor candidate Alannah MacTiernan.

The departments of Treasury and Finance expect the federal budget deficit to be $30.1 billion in 2013/14, unchanged from the government's own forecast.

Business conditions remain at four-year lows, while low interest rates and the falling Australian dollar have failed to boost business confidence.

The Australian share market has opened fractionally higher, boosted by the big miners.

Property developer Stockland has seen its net profit fall almost 80 per cent due in part to weakness in the housing market and a major writedown.

Labor says Tony Abbott will have no more excuses to hold back on his policy costings once the final pre-election budget numbers are released.

The Australian dollar is being weighed down by strength in the greenback amid renewed expectations that the US Federal Reserve will begin tapering its economic stimulus program soon.

Wall Street stocks have closed mixed as investors look to a busy week of data releases on the US economy.

The Australian dollar is higher due to reports Chinese state-owned banks are offering stimulus measures to major cities.

The Australian share market rose by more than one per cent as renewed optimism about China's economy prompted investors to pile into resources stocks.

Building products maker James Hardie expects profit to be steady as housing conditions in the US and Australia improve.

UGL will split its shrinking engineering business from its growing property arm to reflect the property division's greater global focus.

Stronger sales and improved margins have lifted retailer JB HiFi's net profit by more than 11 per cent.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced $35.6 million in funding to work with business to retrain Australia's manufacturing workforce for the future.

Mines Minister Bill Marmion says Toro Energy's acquisition of a uranium project in close proximity to its proposed yellowcake mine at Wiluna is a significant step forward for the sector.

The Australian share market is flat, but the mining giants are bucking the trend to open in firmer territory.

Australia's largest gold miner, Newcrest Mining, has reported an annual net loss of $5.78 billion for the 12 months to June 30.

The state government has gone back on its decision to slash by half the amount paid to households that feed solar power into Western Australia's energy grid.

The Australian dollar is higher as the currency continues to extend gains following the release of strong Chinese data.

US stocks have retreated from record peaks and finished lower after a sluggish week light on news and trading volume.

The Australian dollar is higher despite the Reserve Bank of Australia's weaker outlook for economic growth.